The Wreok of the Triumph

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4880, 21 December 1883, Page 3

The Wreok of the Triumph

OPENING OF THB OFFIOIAL ENQUIRY. [Fbb Pbbbi association.] AUCKLAND, Dbo. 21. Ihe enquiry into the wreok of the Triumph commenced to-day before the Besident Magistrate and Captains Frater and James, Assessors. The Crown Prosooutor opened by quoting authorities in support of the Court's right to withhold or cancel the oortifioates of offioers of a ship. He had received instructions to make the enquiry as searching as possible, in order tbat Borne light might be thrown upon what appeared a most extraordinary and inexplicable ooourrenoe. Mr Hesketh, who appeared for Oaptain Brotherton, said his client did not seek to exouee himself on any nautical grouuds whatever. He would take all blame on himself. He would not question the fineness of the night, nor the fact tbat he had received tbe right ourse from the pilot. Captain Brotherton would explain simply that owing to exhaustion from illness, work and worry, he dozed off while standing on the bridge of the vessel, and was recalled to consciousness when it waa too, late to save the ship. If that explanation would shorten the inquiry, he would be glad to have offered it. Commenting on tbis, the Orown Prosecutor said that if the oaptain had dozed off, he had witnesses to say tbat a few moments before tbe vessel struok they saw him moving about the bridge, and that they called to him. He also would like to know how the oaptain could aooount for the faot of the officers engaged on the deok not seeing the light, or being aware of the danger. He would also call testimony to show that there had been agreat deal of jollification before the ship left, in whioh tbe officers and saloon passengers took part, and that some of the crew were taken on before the Triumph left, in a etate of helpless intoxication. The pilot deposed to taking the captain out of the harbour acd giving him two alternate courses, one being the direot course, and the other to go by the east end of Tiritiri Three friends of the captain left the ship in the pilot boat, one being Captain Cousin. One was rather the worse for liquor. He thought Oaptain Brotherton waa sober enough to take oharge of his ship. He might, for all he knew, have had a glass or two of grog. He did not ace him take a little brandy ; knew nothing beyond that. The Crown Proaeoutor here commented on the hesitating way in whioh Pilot Burgess gave his evidence. lhe night, though dart, was clear, and there was no danger in the way of the safe navigation of the ship. The lighthouse-keeper deposed tb seeing the Bhip run on the rooks. The light was then burning brightly, and he could see the land three milts away.