THE WAKATIPU-FLORA COLLISION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5198, 4 December 1895, Page 3

THE WAKATIPU-FLORA COLLISION.

BTATEMENTBYTHE Dili ECTOIiS OP THE UNION COMPANY.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Di'XKMX, December 3. In view of numerous communications in the press and to the directors concerning the decision in tlio case of tlio Flora-Wakatipu collision, the directors of the Union Steam Ship Company readily admit that both masters were men of sterling character and ability, as well as most skilful seamon, and regret that they bad to take the extreme step of relieving both masters of their positions. Tlioy folt, however, . thcro was no other cotirso open ao them, The safety of those; board, mid of tlio property placed under his charge is a master's first consideration. In the case of the Wnkatipu and Flora, state tlio directors, both commanders, with their oyes open and knowing their vessels to bo uninsured, persisted in ft course which was bonnd to place their ships in danger, a result which actually followed, and which could have been avoided by the oxeicise of a little judgment by either of them. The fact that the collision only resalted iu slight damage being done cannot be taken as a palliation, while it is a matter forsincero congratulation that nothing more serious happened than the smashing of a boat, and the cracking of a few beams. The fact remains that tliero was no excuso for the collision occurring, and the results might have been extremely disastrous. Allusion Ims been made, continue the directors, to the Company's ships having raced at sea on previous occasions without tho masters having been brought to book for it. The case of •lik Wakatipu and Flora, however, not a matter of two ships at sea proceeding in the same direction and each exerting her best speed. They were two ships running at full speed in dangerous proximity to each other, and one of which had to cross the other before she could get into the direction in which she was bound, At any moment either master could have avoided the threatened danger, yet each kept on, satisfied with his own conduct and the course he was pursuing. While the directors have been adversely criticised, they have also received many communications expressing approval of tho course they adopted, To have overlooked the offence would have subjected them to very unfavourable comment and tend to create a feeling of uneasiness in the public mind that their discountenance of trials of speed botween their steamers was

more apparent than real. While

reluctant to tnke extreme action : against two masters bearing the 1 JStellent records of Captains Ewan and Waller, the directors felt it was 1 of great importance that the public ' should have absolute confidence in everything that is done by (he Company for the protection of life ; and propeity, and a practical assurance against a recurrence of a similar mistake.