39

H.—ls.

the crew owe their lives to the measures he took. The Court considers that in vessels of this class two certificated officers should be carried, and also that the shipping of men should be done by the master, and he would then have an opportunity of employing competent men. The master's certificate was returned, and no order was made as to costs June 16 Canadian Challen- F.and A. 3,331 30 .. General .. Fire .. .. .. Auckland, N.Z. .. Calm .. Fire reported on stokehold floor, caused C.Wallace, ger, s.s., 7 years through faulty burner and oil poured on floor. Fire extinguished in forty minutes. Minor damage to paint, and lagging scorched June 21 Matakana, s.s., 7 F. and A. 6,426 79 .. 3,426 tons general Struck wharf .. .. Wellington, N.Z. .. S.W. 6-7 When berthing at Glasgow Wharf under H.P.Thurston. years charge of Pilot McLeod an extra -heavy squall struck vessel as she was backing stern first, forcing her down on to the corner of wharf, causing damage to ship and wharf June 21 Northumberland, Schooner 7,229 84 .. 12,000 tons gene- Damaged in heavy .. Lat. 35° 36' S., long. W.S.W. 8 Vessel shipped a very heavy sea over fore- H. L. Upton, s.s., 12 years ral weather 180° 00' W. castle-head, ripping tarpaulins and smashing three wooden hatches. Vessel hove-to and damage repaired. June 22 Wairau, s.s., 28 Schooner 56 10 .. 20 tons general Anchor and chain .. Off Cape Campbell, S. 9 While heaving up anchor under Cape Camp- ! E. Jackson, years slipped N.Z. bell the winch broke down, and having no other means of lifting the anchor, the cable was slipped and buoyed in 8 fathoms of water. Position, Cape Campbell light bear- ! ing S.E. j S., Mount Taka S. by W. June 25 Kiwi, s.s. .. .. 74 6 .. .. Struck wharf .. .. Auckland, N.Z. .. S.W. Squally When approaching wharf shallow water made J. H. Bradney. vessel unmanageable ; also, mistake made j in putting telegraph " full ahead " instead of " full astern " July 14 Herald, sail, 30 Schooner 73 4 .. 125 tons coal .. Stranded ; total loss .. Flat Rock, Hauraki S.W. » 7 The Court finds that the " Herald" left E. Sellars. years Gulf, N.Z. Whangarei on 13th July for Coromandel and struck Flat Rock on 14th. The vessel was well found, seaworthy, and well ' trimmed. The Court is of the opinion that the master in endeavouring to make a course on the land side of Flat Rock, with the wind off the land, did not give sufficient attention to making that course. It should have been known to the master when still a sufficient distance from Flat Rock to allow the vessel to be taken out into open water, that there would be a risk in endeavouring to pass on the land side of the rock, and in not taking a safer course then I he was failing to exercise the care required | of a master. His certificate is suspended for three months, and he is ordered to pay €20 towards cost of the inquiry «