BARRIER WRECK.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1922, Page 5

BARRIER WRECK.

THE WILTSHIRE INQUIRY, REASONS FOR MISHAP. VESSEL OFF HER COURSE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, June 20. The Court of Inquiry into the Wiltshire wreck was resumed this morning. Mr. Mays, counsel for the Marine Department, opening, said that Captain Hayward, in his casualty return to the Department, stated that he got -sights and was able to ascertain his position astronomically on May 31, the date of i the wreck. His position was then 161% nautical miles away from the point at which the vessel struck. On working the course out from the positions given .by Captain Hayward it would be found i that when the ship struck she was ■2O miles out of her course on the westI erly aspect and seven miles out on the ' northerly aspect. This was attributed Jby Captain Hayward to the exceptional set of the current, which he said had carried the vessel out of her course. Counsel contended that the history of ■ the currents in the vicinity failed to ; disclose any such exceptional set, and it was for the captain to show’ the circumstances and conditions which justify his contention that the extraordinary set of the currents carried his ship out of her course. Mr. Mays referred to the charts and said that any set of the current was rather an easterly set, and weather reports from Cuvier Island immediately preceding the wreck Were not such as to show any exceptionally high wind that would tend to carry the vessel out of her course in that respect, and w’ere not such as were likely to cause any exceptional westerly current as alleged by Captain Hayward. He (Mr. Mays) would bring evidence by masters of vessels in the vicinity of Cuvier Light during the time involved, showing that the light was burning continuously and was in good order. EXPERT EVIDENCE. Captain T. Attwood, superintendent of mercantile marine at Auckland, said that on June G Captain Hayward provided him with a casualty return regarding the loss of the Wiltshire. On June 12, at witness’ request, the captain wrote in the position of the ship on May 31. Captain Hayward remarked that he had nothing to hide. Witness said he had no information regarding a strong set at Cuvier Island. To Mr. Meredith: Captain Hayward visited witness’ office on Monday, after landing at Auckland from the wreck. He had given the information frankly. In reply to Mr. Meredith, Mr. Mays said it was not at any time suggested that Captain Hayward had withheld any information. William Whiteford, master mariners’ examiner at Auckland for masters’ and mates certificates said he had previously been engaged on the Tutanekai and Hinemoa for two or three years. He was connected with lighthouse work. He had examined the casualty return furnished by Captain Hayward. It put the position at midday on May 31 at 35 degrees 35 minutes south, 178 degrees 45 minutes east. The course set was south 72| degrees west. The time and course steered would have taken the vessel 41 miles south of Cape Barrier. The Wiltshire was wrecked a little over 2| miles to the northward. The casualty return showed that the vessel struck at 11.30 p.m,, ship’s apparenttime, which would be about 19 minutes ahead of New Zealand time. The vessel had been steaming llhrs. 38min. since midday and h&d covered 161 % mijes, or 13.9 miles per hour. If she had kept to the course steered the Wiltshire would have passed within 5J miles of. Cuvier Light. On the course made she was within 11J miles. The Cuvier Light had a range of 26 miles and from the bridge of the Wiltshire it should have been visible at 30 miles. On June 6 he visited Cuvier and inspected the light. It was in good working order. He saw nothing that would lead him to believe the light had recently been out of order. The three keepers were perfectly reliable men and he found nothing to lead him to suppose the light was not working on May 31. THE CURRENTS WEAK. Continuing, Captain Whiteford said that 50 minutes before striking the steamer would be about 11 miles from the Great Barrier. Mr. Mays said he did not propose to tain’s casualty report stated that an exceptionally strong current set the ship about 20 miles west of her supposed position. Witness replied that he had never heard of a strong westerly set- in the vicinity of Cuvier Island. The New Zealand Pilot of 1919 stated that the" currents were weak, while the Admiralty charts showed them to be south and east. Mr. Mays said he did not propose to examine this witness further until Captain Hayward had been in the box. He might then wish to call Captain Whiteford in rebuttal, or to explain the exact position set up by the master. Mr. Meredith asked for an adjournment till the afternoon. It was extremely difficult to hear and follow the courses set out by witness and the estimates of distances. He would therefore like to have an opportunity of going through them before he cross-ex-amined. Mr. Cutten, S.M., said the proposal was only reasonable, and the inquiry was adjourned till 2.15 p.m.