PORT TRAGEDY

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1921, Page 5

PORT TRAGEDY

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. SURVIVOR TELLS HIS STORY. THE CORONER’S COMMENT. “AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT,” “it is not necessary to find further than the simple verdict that in each case deceased was accidentally drowned, owing to the boat in which ho was proceeding from the Easterner to the shore being overturned on the coast." These were the remarks of the Coroner (Mr. W. H. Bundle, S.M.) at the conclusion of yesterday's inquest into the circumstances surrounding last Sunday’s tragedy at the port of New Plymouth, when four men lost their lives while entering the harbor in an open boat from the American steamer Easterner. The deceased were: T. A. Butler and J. Piper (of Wellington), and W. V. Lander and W. D. Lindsay (members of the crew of the vessel).

The chief witnesses were Captain O'Brien, master of the Easterner, who gave a detailed account of the happenings relative to sending away the boat; and R. L. Deskin, third officer, who was in charge of the boat and is the only survivor of the five who set out for the shore. Traversing the evidence, the Coroner said: “It seems that the captain committed an error of judgment in allowing the boat to leave the steamer at that time." Later the Coroner remarked that the evidence showed that this was the captain’s first visit to New Plymouth; he did not know the coast, and he formed the judgment that it was safe to send a boat ashore.

The story of the drowning accident at New Plymouth on Sunday was retold yesterday at an inquest regarding the circumstances of the deaths of the four men who were drowned as the result o t the capsize of their boat while they were en route to shore from the American steamer Easterner (anchored in the stream).’ Mr. W. H. Bundle, ».M. (coroner) presided. Mr. C. H. Weston watched proceedings on behalf of the Public Trustee as representative of Butler’s estate. Mr’ R. H. Quilliam appeared on behalf of the owners of the Easterner, and also for Galloway’s, Ltd., the employers of r ‘ E y re re presented the Manne Department. Evidence was led on behalf of the police by Inspector Murray. ‘

The first witness was Dr. H. B. Leatham. who said ho received a. call about 3.15 p.m. on Sunday to proceed to the Ngnmotu beach. He was in the locality, and arrived on the beach in a few minutes. He found the bodv of one of the deceased (Lindsay), and efforts were being made at resuscitation by a number of people. They informed him that they had been trying to revive deceased for some time. On examination iie found life to be extinct, and from the description given to him by those present ho concluded that the man was already dead when the body was recovered from the sea. Two other medical men arrived shortly afterwards; one of them examined the heart and agreed that life was extinct. Subsequently he also examined the other bodies, and their condition was consistent with death by drowning. HINT OF A SEQUEL.

At this stage Mr. Weston asked that all witnesses be ordered out of Court. Mr. Quilliam interposed that this was rather an unusual request in a Coroner’s Court.

The coroner asked what prompted the application. Mr. Weston said the reason was that possibly there might be a claim later against the ship for negligence, and he thought it would be advisable that the evidence of the ship’s officers should be given, quite independently. The coroner: The question of negligence or otherwise is not a matter tor this Court to determine. It is a Court to decide how the deceased came to their respective deaths. Whether any proceedings are to be taken afterwards does not come into it.

Mr. Weston pointed out that while in theory inquiries were not concerned with the possibility of any subsequent proceedings, in practice they were. He quoted the Auckland inquest concerning the Grey Lynn murder, in which good use seemed to have been made of the opportunity of getting evidence. The coroner said there would have to be very strong evidence to support the request. It seemed there would be no good object gained for the purpose of the Court in granting the application. CAPTAIN’S EVIDENCE. The examination of Captain O'Brien, master of the vessel, was continued from Monday last. He said he selected the boat for the party, and he examined the boat thoroughly. In reply to further questions the witness remarked emphatically: “I said I examined the boat thoroughly,” The coroner: Just answer the questions, captain.

The witness: If there is anyone here to examine me in my seamanship I will answer him. I examined the boat, but not the rudder.

Continuing, he said he also attended to the equipment of the boat; there were at least three oars, if not four; there were five life preservers, and the boat, in his estimation, was thoroughly seaworthy when it left the ship. He personally saw to this. When the boat went away under sail the wind was blowing west nor’-west. Such a breeze was a fair one for a boat going ashore. The beach was to the leeward. Mr. Weston: Did you select the crew yourself?—l approved of them. Who suggested them? —They themselves.

Were they the only three who suggested they should go? —Yes. Therefore it is hardly correct to say you selected those men on account of their boating skill?—Had 1 been selecting these men I could hardly have done better myself.

Continuing, witness said Lindsay’s equivalent rank in the United States navy was a lieutenant, and he was, therefore, a thorough boat man. Lander was an ex-enlisted man of the United States navy. Do you have boat drill on your ship? —Yes. How many times?—We had boat drill before we left New York. Less than a year ago the entire life-saving equipment of my vessel was examined and passed.

“NOTHING TO HIDE.”

Counsel put several questions regarding the number of oars with which the boat was equipped, and ultimately drew the following answer from witness: “Well, let us get it down on the records. When the boat left the ship she had six oars, but Deskin put three back on board the ship because they were not necessary.

Why didn’t you tell us that before? —Well, I would not have been a ship master if I did not know what oars there were.

You could have told us before?—l have nothing that. I want to hide. I heard afterwards that Deskin put the oars back.

When was the rudder altered? —I never knew the addition was on the rudder till after the accident.

So this very thorough examination of yours did not include the rudder ? —All I can say to you is that when I look a boat over I do not preclude the rudder.

Did you examine the rudder ? —Yes. The coroner: When?—’Before she left the ship. The addition to the rudder was put on after I gave permission for the boat to leave. In fact I suggested it, but I never saw it. I said to Deskin : “You better look out for your rudder.” He replied: “I will put a piece on.” Do you consider you had taken on yourself the responsibility of letting this boat go? —Yes. SAW NO DANGER. What steps did you take in regard to letting the boat go?—ln my judgment it was quite safe for the boat to go ashore: the vessel was lying in comparative calm. The boat launched was the “weather” boat. Witness added that previously he had examined the shore with his glasses and had a plan of the port. He had not been in New Plymouth before, but as a navigator he could see no danger whatever. After the boat left he went into his room and read a magazine; it never entered his head that there would bo any trouble. In the light of what has happened would you send the boat ashore again? —No.

Why?—-Well. I don’t want to lose two more of my men. Do you admit then that your judgment was wrong? —It is very natural that my judgment was wrong.

Do you put the accident down to the rough sea? —What happened after she left the ship only Deskin can say. I refuse to comment on what happened in the boat.

I am only asking, in view of your twenty years’ experience, if you can’t suggest what happened to the boat to cause the accident? —I take the responsibility of the lioat leaving: after that only Deskin knows.

What watch was kept on board?— The second officer was on the bridge.

Was any report made about the boat? — About half an hour after she left the second officer said the boat looked as if it was in the breakers. It was then the signal was put up. Did you get any reply ? —The answering pennant from the breakwater. To the coroner: The Harbor Board’s launch which came out at midday did not approach more than within thirty ■feet of the ship. SURVIVOR’S NARRATIVE. Roy L. Deskin, third officer of the Easterner, and the only survivor of the five men in the ill-fated boat, said that while they were anchored in the stream on Saturday Butler and Piper asked witness to.see the captain about getting a boat to take them ashore. The captain refused on account of the weather conditions being unsafe, and Butler and Piper’were told this. Again on Sunday morning Butler asked about the chance of getting a. boat, and witness said he would ask the captain. The captain said it was still too rough, but if the weather permitted they could go in the afternoon. About one o’clock Butler and Piper wore in the saloon, and they mentioned the matter on this occasion. He saw the captain a few minutes later, but by that time The captain had evidently told Butler he would send a boat ashore. The captain ibid witness to lake the port beat, and also advised him to bo careful as to whom he rook with him. On Saturday. when the matter was mentioned, Lindsay and Landers had expressed a wish to go, and accordingly, when permission was granted, he told them the boat could be got ready. They were quite agreeable to go. The boat contained six oars, five lifebelts, mast, arm regulation sails. At witness’ request a niece was spliced on to the rudder by the ship’s carpenter; this was just be- ; fore the boat loft. The idea, was to get more efficiency, as the boat would answer quicker. To the. coroner: They did not intend to return to the ship till rhe next morning. Continuing, witness said that as sobn I as they pulled clear the sail was put up. He was in charge of the boat, and the course was set to uass about GOO feet off the end of the so that they would keep clear of where the water was breaking and get to the lee of the breakwater. Witness was at the rudder, and also held the sail. THE BOAT SWAMPED. After proceeding part of the journey, and when about a cable length’s oil the end of the breakwater he could see there was going to be trouble, as he noticed the waves breaking inside. He then decided it was not safe to proceed. He told the others they were going to put back to the ship, and he put the rudder hard over. It stuck and would not move, and he ordered the others to get out the oars. They got one oar out, this being handled by Landers, and he told Landers to back water; they did not get the other oar out. The boat was then struck by two seas, the second swamping it and turning it over. When witness got his head above water Landers, Lindsay and Piper were on the bottom of the upturned boat ten feet away. Witness struck out for the boat. They were drifting inshore all the time.

When witness was close to the boat he heard Butler behind, and went back. He found a lifebelt, which he gave -to Butler, and towed him to the boat. They got back and climbed on the bottom* of the boat, the other three being still there. He put the lifebelt on Butler and just got it tied on when a sea washed him away. He told Butler to hang on to the belt and try .and tie it on. Witness then put a line round Next they saw Butler about 20 or 30 feet away inshore. He was face down. Witness swam out and got Butler, turning him on his back on the boat. Witness then got on the boat when a wave took Butler away. At this time they were in the breakers, and that was the last they saw of Butler. He then altered the line on Piper to allow him to

free himself in case the boat was turned over. Another sea came along and washed witness away. When he saw the boat the others were still there; he could not get back to it so he started tp swim ashore, picking up an oar and a lifebelt. He could not hold the oar, however, and he could not fasten the lifebelt on. He drifted in, and some people waded out and assisted him ashore.

Regarding the working of the rudder, his opinion was that the effect of the sea forced it up, causing the cleeks to jamb. It only needed to shift slightly for this to happen. He did not consider there was sufficient danger to warrant the lifebelts being fixed on to each person before the boat left.

To Mr. Weston: The weather had nothing to do with his suggestion to alter the rudder. He did not think the addition would make it more liable to jamb. To Mr. Quilliam: He had passed the Government examination for lifeboar, sailing. He was also an enthusiast in handling small boats, and usually went sailing in every port he got an opportunity. He held a certificate as chief mate for an ocean going vessel.

To Mr. Eyre: The boat made fair headway from the time she left the Easterner up till the time the rudder jammed.

CAPTAIN WALLER’S EVIDENCE,

Captain Waller, harbormaster, gave evidence to the effect that on the Easterner’s arrival on Saturday she was signalled to wait till the weather moderated, as conditions were unfavorable for berthing. On Sunday afternoon the weather had moderated, but the sea was rough. He did not consider it was too rough for an open boat to make a landing from the ship. From the evidence, Deskin had. apparently taken a safe course when he left the ship. The fact that the boat got into difficulties might be attributed partly to lack of local knowledge. He agreed with Deskin’s explanation of the probable cause of the jamb. The length, of the boat overall was 3 9ft. ’din., beam oft., depth 3ft. Gin., and it was of strong construction and quite seaworthy. He recalled seeing the boat making shorewards. There was a heavy west norL west breeze at the time, with a heavy sea breaking off the end of the breakwater. About half-past two the boat appeared to sail right into the breakers. She escaped the first sea and ran in some distance on it, but the second sea completely overwhelmed, lier, and she was left apparently bottom upwards, with five men clinging to her in a seething mass of broken water. Witness immediately sent one of his staff to see if anything could be done with the Harbor Board’s launch, but the launchman had gone down to the beach near the wrecked boat. No launch could possibly have got near the men; it would have been folly to attempt it, and about half an hour at the least would have elapsed before a launch could have got off the spot where the accident happened. It would have taken forty minutes to launch a boat from the Easterner and get to the same place. He noticed the signal from the Easterner, “Wait until the weather moderates,” and this was replied to? he did not see any other signals.

There was a considerable undertow. While on the beach he noticed a signal from the Easterner, “Can you send a boat?’’ anti,, went back to/the. wharf to despatch the Harbor Board’s launch. This was done as soon as possible, the launch getting away at 5.30 p.m. and returning at 6.10 p.m. with Captain O’Brien. Witness did not see the signal asking if there was anything wrong, which the captain said had been put up. MEANING OF SIGNALS.

To Mr. Weston: He put the accident down to the boat getting too close to the break from the end of the breakwater, together with lack of local knowledge. If the rudder had not been jammed there was a possibility that the boat would have got back to the ship. Captain O’Brien was recalled by the coroner to clear up some variations in the evidence regarding the signals . between the ship and the shore. According to the previous evidence of the master the signal he sent was, “Is there anything wrong?” To this he received merely the answering pennant. Captain Waller stated, however, that the signal sent by the ship was "Waiting till the . weather moderates.”

Captain O’Brien pointed out that he would have no need to send such a. signal. The signal he put up was a. two-

rocmory. but at any rate its meaning was, "Is there anything wrong with my boat?" He got the answering pennant,which was regarded as merely an aek n o w 1 e d go m e nt.

The coroner; Were you satisfied, without taking any further steps, that the boat was safe?—Yes.

Why? —Captain Smith (the pilot), the second mate and myself were all on (he bridge, and Captain Smith said if there was anything wrong Captain Waller would be sure to let me know. I was under the impression that probably Deskiu landed the boat on the beach,

and that this was the cause of the crowd. Captain Smith's statement seemed to confirm this idea. w Other evidence related to events on the beach. Witnesses were Mae Skipper, who swam out and assisted Deskin ashore, and. later helped to recover the body of Lindsay, and Mrs. G. E. Jo)], "who tried efforts in resuscitating Lindsay. Alfred Carncross, resident at Ngamotu, said he saw the boat get into difficulties, and subsequently he noticed the men clinging to the upturned boat. He proceeded to a nearby telephone to communicate with the police and inform them of what had happened. When lie returned he saw that the boat had righted itself, and there was one man in it. He did not know who this was. Witnesses who were concerned in the finding of the bodies were Ted Hurley and N. Madsen, and Constables Butler, Phillips, Parkinson and Small, who subsequently took charge of the bodies on the. respective occasions. THE CORONER’S COMMENT. Reviewing the case the coroner remarked that it was a very painful matter to have to inquire into the circumstances of the deaths of four of the five men who had left the steamer for the shore. Two of the deceased were members of the crew and two were connected with the shipping interests, and the sympathy of the community must go out to all the relatives. “It seems,” said the coroner in the course of his review, “that, in ‘allowing the boat to leave the steamer at that time, the captain committed an error of judgment for which no one can be more sorry than himself. Captain Waller states' that at that time the weather was not too rough to make a landing provided anyone knew the coast. " The evidence of the captain was that on this occasion it was his first visit to New Plymouth, but he did not know the coast, and he formed the judgment that it was safe to send the boat ashore. Deskin, the officer in

charge of the boat, was apparently anxious to go ashore. I find that the boat was well-found and that Deskin was quite capable of taking charge. 1 see no reason’ to question that both Lindsay and Lander were both capable of managing the boat, but it was unfortunate that any boat was allowed to go from the ship on wftat was a strange coast, especially after the weather that had been prevailing. The launch came out from the. harbor about midday on Sunday, and if there had been great urgency to get ashore it seems unfortunate that the launch was not communicated with.” Apparently evprytliihg went well until they got in u line with the end of the breakwater; then they could see the breakers and that there was going to be trouble, and they tried io turn the boat. The rudder jammed. It showed a certain addition which had been made to it just before the boat left, and after the captain haff given his permission for (he journey to.be made. “I am satisfied from the evidence,” he said, “that the addition to the rudder did not detract from its use in any way. It probably would have assisted the sailing of the boat.” Another phase which was the subject of comment by the coroner was the harbormaster’s statement that it would have taken any boat forty minutes to reach the locality. This meant that if an accident occurred there was no chance as regards rescue, that was if boats had to be out on short notice. It seemed unfortunate that there was no lifeboat of some sort, as an accident was liable to occur any time on the coast.

After recording his finding as given above, the coroner said he had to compliment M. Skipper and the other helpers for the assistance they had given in rescuing Deskin, and to all those who materially assisted the police in the search. Deskin’s evidence showed that he did everything in his power to assist his unfortunate companions after the accident. It was unfortunate that his action was not visible to any of the onlooker;'.