THE WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8473, 27 June 1907, Page 7

THE WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

„ * NAUTICAL ENQUIRY. Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 26. The nautical enquiry into the wreck of the-Kia Ora, involving the loss of three lives, was opened, to-day, before Mr Kettle, S.M., and Captains Grant and Schofield, assessprs. In reply to the Magistrate, Mr ► Mays, representing the Crown Prosecutor, staled that no charge was H made against anyone. Mr Mays stated that Captain Blacklock was on the watch till 10.15 p.m. Then he was relieved by Do Wolfe, the first officer, who had instructions to call the captain at 2.45 a.m., when Captain Blacklock expected to be near Kavvhia. Between 2 and 3 o'clock the captain was on deck several times looking at the course, the weather having become thick. He was consulted about the vessel's course but made no alteration. When the Kia Ora struck she was eight miles eastward of the course. There was a .deviation of eight miles in 41, or one mile in every live, and this was the real point of the enquiry. Both officers maintain that they kept the course north quarter east and that the compasses were right' so far as they .knew; that the helmsman and look-out were capable men and fulfilled their duties. It was quite clear that everybody did his duty after the casualty. rOie serious point of the enquiry was as to the deviation of the course. It had been suggested that in the foggy -weather ironsand on the coast had affected the compass. De Wolfe, the first officer, in evidence, said he allowed nothing for deviation, there being plenty of room .in the course. The captain had allowed for deviation in setting the course.