The s.s. Triumph.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4678, 4 January 1884, Page 2

The s.s. Triumph.

NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

(Pee Press, Association.)

Auckland, This day. The inquiry into the wreck of the Triumph was resumed to-day. The Crown Prosecutor stated that since the Court last sat a new phase of the case had arisen, in the fact of the steamer having been got off the rocks and brought into Auckland harbor. He, therefore, proposed to re»examine the chief officer of the Triumph, in order to have the facts connected with the floating placed upon record. Thomas Owens, chief officer of the Triumph (re-called), deposed that since the date of the last sitting of the Court he had been employed on board the Trimph assisting in the operations to get her off the rocks. As the result of these operations the vessel was yesterday got off, and during the night she was brought into harbor where she now lies. No external aid or apparatus was used to lift the ship, in the shape of pontoons, lighters, or other appliances of that kind. Pumps were employed, but beyond that nothing was done, except taking cut the cargo and lightening her as much as possible. By Mr Hesketh: I was. employed by Mr Fraser, purchaser of the ship. Captain Brotherton had not been employed in these operations. Mr Fraser is an iron-founder and shipbuilder, and he had the assistance of Mi* D. Gouk, Capt. Farquhar, and others, and had unlimited command of tugs and boats. Three pumps wens used, two centrifugal and one pulsometer, the power of which was very great. Pumping had to be kept up nearly all the way into the harbor. I know where the vessel lies. She was afloat an hour ago when I left her, but had a strong list to starboard, that shows she must have a lot of cargo in her fore* hold on that side, besides water. He-examined by Mr Williamson: If these steps had been taken at first when the steamer went aground she would have been got off as readily—that is before she shifted her position. This closed the case for the Collector of Customs. Mr Hesketh said the course he proposed to take was as follows :—On behalf of the captain he proposed bringing evidence to prove the cause of the captain going to sleep on the night of the disaster ; he should call evidence to rebut what had been several times suggested by Mr Williamson, though never directly stated, to the effect that the captain on that night was the worse for drink. He had witnesses who would make that immediately clear, and who would also show that the Capt. had for some nights previously been suffering from an affection regarding which several witnesses had spoken. He would prove this by disinterested parties, unconnected with the ship, and who had no motive for stating that which was untrue. Besides these witnesses he also hoped to have the evidence of a local medical gentleman who would prove that he had been consulted i by Capt. Brotherton for the same affection while in port: this medical gentleman (who might however be prevented from attending to give evidence) was also prepared to state that from the nature of the Capt.'s affection and its effects, combined with the work in which he was engaged he would not be surprised, from a medical point of view, at the Captain- going to sleep on the bridge. Henry Parker, tide surveyor and boarding officer of customs, said that he performed his duties on the steamer Triumph while in port. He became ac^ quainted with captain Brotherton, and saw him'about two minutes before the stamer left the wharf. He then conversed with the captain and saw nothing unusual in his manner. He didnot appear to be suffering from drink, but was perfectly sober. He did not know the captain till he came to Auckland. Didn't know whether he is one of those persons who can stow away a lot of liquor without. showing it.