WRECK OF THE TASMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1921, Page 5

WRECK OF THE TASMAN.

MYSTERY OF THE ACCIDENT. LAND IN SIGHT AT THE TIME. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUIRY, By Telegraph Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A nautical inquiry into the wreck of the Tasman on May 12 while on a voyage from Auckland to Whakatane opened to-day, Mr. Cutten, S.M., presiding. The questions submitted to the court were: What was the cause of the casualty; whether it was directly or indirectly due or contributed to by the negligence, wrongful act, default or want of supervision of .or by any person or persons on boafd the Tasman or elsewhere, and, if so, who was or were such person or persons, and what was the nature of such negligence, wrongful act, default or want of supervision? Another question was whether the accident could have been avoided, and if so how? The Northern Co. was not cited as a V party to rhe inquiry. The second mate was cited this morning and appeared in person, but Mr. Meredith stated it did pot seem that the officer would come into the matter. Mr. Mays added that the second officer was off duty when the vessel struck.

In opening, Mr. Mays said the chief officer was on watch in charge of the Tasman when she passed Motiti Island. The Tasman struck on the south-west point of the Raurima group, and there was about three miles of shore room between the shore and where the casualty occurred. The course had been run in perfect safety for the last 50 to 60 years. . The Tasman, was jammed for time to catch the bar at Whakatane. As to the weather, though it was squally it was possible to see the higher points of the Raurima group and Whale Island. The course was a perfectly well-known one. Mr. Mays said the mystery was how the vessel struck on the island, which could be seen at the time the accident occurred, and the landmarks were good. It might be that the steering compass had been relied upon, but he did not know if such was the case. There was nothing in tjy? weather conditions to explain the accident. Although it was the officer’s watch the master was bn the bridge when the vessel struck.

William John Grigg, captain of the Tasman, stated that he had been master of that steamer about three or four months before May 11, and he had also been master of the same steamer at different periods before. He had also been at one time chief mate of the Tasman for close on three years. During that time the Tasman was wholly engaged in the trade between Auckland and Whakatane.

To Mr. Mays: On the night of the disaster he had kept a course close inside Mayor Island, which was passed at about 10 o’clock. The course was south-east-south by the magnetic compass and south-east by the steering compass. He knew there was a quarter of a point difference between the standard and steering compass, the latter having half .a point westerly deviation. He had followed his usual course, which he had always found a safe one, inside Whale Island. When passing Motiti Island the weather was clear, with no sea and just a medium breeze. Witness gave further details of the course as he hafi observed it with relation to the various points the vessel passed. The inquiry was adjourned*