THE DEVON WRECK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 19 September 1913, Page 6

THE DEVON WRECK.

CAPTAIN CADNOE EXONERATED. {By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. The decision of the Court in connection with the re-hearing of the inquiry into the wreck of the steamer Devon was delivered to-day, and exonerates Captain Caunce. The steamer was stranded on the rocks at Pencarrow Heads, on the east side of > the entrance to Wellington Harbour, at. 7.13 p.m. on August 25th, 1913, in squally weather. The judgment stated that Captain Caunce was not altogether a stranger to the port of Wellington, but he. had not previously commanded a vessel entering it. The master of an-ocean steamer could not bo expected to have all the minute knowledge of loteal' objects and local conditions acquired by experienced navigators commanding local vessels. He had, however, made himself famil--iar with the lights which serve to J .guide vessels entering the harbour. | The lights presented a different appearance tinder varying atmospheric conditions, and these became known to local pommanders. The questions put by the Minister were (1) What was the caui9e of the stranding? (2) Was the stranding due to or contributed to by the negligence or wrongful act or default' of the master? The answer to both questions was, in the opinion of the Court, as' follows: The vessel, stranded through-the imaster mistaking the falcon buoy light fdr red Somes' Island light,: in. such- circumstance? that it holds that ■'fie i£> In a memorandum attached .to the judgment", the".usifesisow- make! varibns • suggestions regarding the lights ' at the entrance to the harbour, Mr Justice Chapman, President of the Court, intimated that he would give instructions that Captain Caunce's certificate be returned. The assessors were Captains W. J. Newton and W. Waller.