LAUNCH TRAGEDY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 47, 5 December 1939, Page 6

LAUNCH TRAGEDY

NO PUBLIC INQUIRY NEEDED. DECISION OF THE GOVERNMENT. “NO CULPABLE NEGLIGENCE.” (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Day. A summary of the circumstances of the sinking of the fishing launch Dolphin in Lyttelton Harbour on October 12 is contained in an official report issued by tho Minister of Defence (tho Hon. F. Jones). Though it is admitted that an error was in the manipulation of the delicate mechanism of tho gun sights through tension of the gun numbers, the Government is satisfied that the causes of the accident have been traced to their origin and that no culpable negligence on the part of any member of tho gun crew has been established. The Government has decided that as all the material facts relating to the accident have been placed - before it, no public inquiry is necessary. The report states that at Lyttelton adequate steps were taken to bring the regulations to the notice of all concerned and every mariner using a port must be expected to make himself familiar with the local requirements, especially in time of war. Although it was definitely established that the deflection sufficient to. ensure that the plugged shot should pass harmlessly ahead was calculated and applied, it seemed probable that in the excitement of the moment a change was made in this deflection, prior to the gun being fired. Searching inquiry failed to disclose by whom this change in deflection had been made.