STORMBIRD INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1916, Page 3

STORMBIRD INQUIRY.

;- -o. * By Telegraph.—Press Association. • Wangatiui, Sept. 14. At the Stormbird inquiry to-day, Richard Hurt, first oilicor of file wrecked steamer, said it was liis watch after the har was crossed, and he was on deck during tilie trip down the river and saw no green lights warning thein not to cross the bar. As they approached the Castlecliff wharf the master started to keep the ship away close to the north wall; she could not get much closer to the wall. Witness went hciow and, when coming up, heard the engine-room telegraph ring; the engine stopped and then went astern. The vessel was then heading towards the south mole, and gradually drifted broadside on towards the south mole. Shortly afterwards she struck forward, afterwards taking the ground aft. The captain then ordered all hands on deck. A fresh westerly breeze wa» blowing, with a moderate sea. He believed there was a big southerly set. He saw no green guiding lights. He knew the set in the harbor was due to the conditions of the weather. He could only account for the accident by the set of the wind and sea. The steering gear was all in good order, and the .master took all reasonable steps to save the ship and crew. The vessel had often gone out with as much sea and wind. Wanganui, Last Xi-ght. Bartholomew O'Shea, the cook, denied that on the day following the wreck he said lie told the chief officer when the vessel .truck that he saw a green light, denoting danger, being exhibited from the pilot station. Captain Connor, assistant pilot, said he was on duty at the time of the wreck. There was little wind and sea on the bar. As the steamei was going out he ascertained, by a bearing take" that tiie vesse' was to leeward of +'•■ guiding beacons, consequently he sig-1 nailed tp steer on the north mole.