THE WIMMERA INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1918, Page 8

THE WIMMERA INQUIRY.

tif' Telegraph.— Press Association. Auckland, July 31. The Wirnmera inquiry lias opened. So far the proceedings have tan confined to the opening speech by Mr. Mays, counsel tor the Marine DepartmentHe said that it was quite evident the vessel was sunk by a moored mine- This would be proved by the expert evidence of Captain Hall-Thompson. Mr. Mays alleged that the captain of the Wirnmera departed from the course laid down by the Adimralty, and that the fact of his doing so resulted in the disaster. He would not say what caused the captain to depart from his instructions, but there appeared no doubt that hg did so, and went inside the limit of safety laid down by the Admiralty, There were no navigation dangers in the course laid down. The latter would | only, at the outsie, have taken an hour longer than the course he took, while it would have ensured safety. Uaniel Ryan, the Union Company's local manager, said there was no need for a quicker passage than usual. He had no information that the captain wan given a fixed course. Captain Kells had been in the service of tie company for 15 or IS yeaTs, and was regarded as a trustworthy, reliablo master. He denied that the vessel's departure was hurried because of delays. Charles Wilson, second officer, said he had the course steered. At 4 a.m- witness was relieved by the? ehief officer and retired to his quarters, Ibut was awakened by an explosion, which was followed 13 seconds later iby another. He went on deck and heard the captain instruct the wireless operator to send out a message. The vessel's draught was 13ft Oin forward and 19ft 2in aft. All the boats that were not destroyed by the explosion were launched. One was smashed when lowering. The Wimmera's ordinary speed in fine weather was 12 or 13 knots. On this night, at the North Cape, she was roaking 12'/ 2 knots. He believed the explosion was about the engine-room. It was a muffled explosion. The Wirnmera was carrying the regulation lights. There were only two watertight compartments, the doors of whirih -would have been shut prior to the explosion. No soundings were taken from the time he camo on watch. That was only, customary in thick weather. Mr. Wilson, continuing, said that on the previous trip, the first he had on the Wirnmera, a similar course was steered. Minesweepers were seen between the i ship and the coast. He was not aware that any communication had been received from them. That course was not the proper one. Argument arose as to the admission of a question as to whether other master* followed the same course, Mr. Mays objecting. Mr. Blomfield stated that if other masters, after receiving certain instructions, adopted the particular course, there was something to go before the court as to the reason, especially as the Admiralty was aware of the fact. As the Admiralty had to prescribe the course, it was for the Admiralty to object to such course and prevent it. Mr. McVeagh supported Mr. Blomfield, and eventually the question was admitted, witness saying he had heard that j other ships had gone over the same I course.