WRECK OF THE PENGUIN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3118, 18 February 1909, Page 4

WRECK OF THE PENGUIN.

NAUTICAL ENQUIRY

By Telegraph—Press Association.

WELLINGTON, February 17. The nautical enquiry inco the wreck of the Penguin was opened to-day. Dr. McArthur presided, and had with him Captain Keed (Auckland), and Captain Mc Arthur (Wellington) as assessors.

The questions submitted for the decision of the Court include: The seaworthiness of the vessel and scate of the life-saving appliances, also their sufficiency arid efficiency; (2) whether considering the.state of the weat'nsr it was safe and proper to sail from Pieton or from the head of Tory Channel on Friday, or whether shelter should not have been sought; (3) what was the cause of the casualty; (4) whether the casualty was due to the negligence or default of any person o- persons on the vessel; (5) could the casualty have been reasonably prevented; (G) after the casualty were all reasonable and proper precautions taken to prevent loss of life. Mr Herdman (who appeared for Captain Naylor and Engineer Luke) and Mr Wilford both requested an adjournment 01 the ground that they had not time to thoroughly familiarise themselves with the details of the whole case.

Mr Beil, on behalf of the Crown, said that was no reason why the Union Company should not he prepared in a case like this, but he could not resist application. The Captain's counsel eventually agreed that the enquiry should be adjourned until Monday morning next. THE MISSING. The following is a list of the passengers and crew missing from the s.s. Penguin, as compiled to-day:— PASSENGERS. Mr Holmes, Mr H. J. Underwood, Mr W. White, Mr Coumbe, Mr Johnson, Mr Jas. Collins. CREW. F. Driscoll, second officer; G. A. Loosemore, third officer; C. Alexander, chief steward; T. Hayes, boatswain; C. Westacott, A.8.; W. E. Henderson, A.8.; G. Gaffra, donkeyman; J. Conic, trimmer; Edwin Ha!i, second cook; H. McGuire, scullion; Forth R. messi-oom steward; G. Claydon, saloon waiter. Leonard Owens, A.8., was stated by Mr Young, secretary of the Seamans' Union, to have been on board, but the Union Steamship Gompany has no record of his having signed on the ship's articles. CLAIMS UPON THE COMPANY.

Considerable interest is being taken in the question of the Union C>.'s liability for damages as a result of injury and death on the wreck. Passengers claims will all depend upon the veridct in regard to the cause of the disaster, but tie crew come under the Workers' Compensation Act. Many of the Penguin's crew seem to hive had "total dependents," who can make a claim for compensation, and" if ;their case is proved, the Company-will be liable to pay the maximum amount £SOO in respect; of at least half a dozen victims. At a rough estimate it will cost the Union Steamship Company at least £4,000 to settle these claims.