THE WAIRARAPA DISASTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2740, 20 November 1894, Page 1

THE WAIRARAPA DISASTER.

Auckland, Nov. IG. Captain Henry Brown, master of the barque Natal Queen, stated that ou his last trip from Australia, an east-south-east current not mentioned in the sailing directions or charts set him fifteen miles off his course between North Cape and Cape Brett. The log registered 65 knots whereas they ran 80, for instead of being abreast of Cavalles they were off Cape Brett. The barque was going 5J knots at the time. Pilot Santy said his first experience of the current mentioned was in 1870, when coming from Sydney in the brig Siren. When he expected to be off Hen and Chickens he found himself at Great Barrier. At the Wairarapa enquiry Henry Baker, A. 8., gave evidence as to officers and men doing all that could ,be done to save life. They got the boats out iu three-quarters of an hour after the vessel struck. He went on to the bridge, but did not see the captain. It was light enough to see him had he been there. Robert Laing, A. 8., said that it was Captain Mcintosh's custom on all occasions to slow down in a fog when on the coast and use the lead. The captain's course on this occasion was quite different from what he had done before. It was his practice to use the fog-horn when in the course of vessels in thick weather. Thomas Sinclair, chief engineer, said that from leaviug Sydney the speed had uot been altered till she struck the Barrier. The telegraph indicated full speed ahead the whole time; the average being 12J knots. On Ihe vessel striking he ordered the second fengiueer to Bwitch on the lights, W as done. He started the doukev e i)g- ine pumping cold water ifl*o the boilers to drown the noise of escaping steam, which would prevent orders being heard, which was done; also to shut the watertight doors. They were told then not to return but to save life and themselves. He gut the order full Bpe-d astern at 12.20, slow astern, and a minute afterwards stop the engine-'. Dunlop and Jenkins alno gave evidence. The < ourt exonerated the engineer-i. They had dune their duty and the-r cur tihcutes would be returned. The chief engineer had stuck to his p >st at the risk of his lifo, and Dunlop had behaved ni a brave manner. That was all that would be said until the bringing up of the finding of the enquiry. Gisborne, Nov. 17. Thomas Bairrl, a from England by tho Australia, watt on board the Wairarapa bound for (Msborue, and is am ■ngst the lost 13in name does n• t appear on the passenger list.

The Wuirarapa ruliuf fund at Welliug ton amounts to £1213.