DISMISSED SHIP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 42, 29 November 1944, Page 4

DISMISSED SHIP.

COMMANDER COURTMARTiALLED MISHAP TO TIIE ARBUTUS

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, .Nov. 28, A sequel to a mishap on October 7 last when H.M.N.Z.S. Arbutus struck a submerged shoal off Vitya Island, in the Pacific, took place in Auckland when the commanding officer, Lieutenant—Commander John Alexander Rhind, R.N.Z.N.V.R., appeared before a naval court-martial. lie pleaded guilty to a charge that being in command of the Arbutus, and being a person subject to the Naval Discipline Act, between September 28 and October 7, both dates inclusive, by negligence or default he hazarded the ship. He was ; sentenced to be dismissed his ship and to be reprimanded. Members of the court Avere Commodore DoAVding, D.S.C., A.D.C., R.N. (president), Captain Williani-Powlett, D.S.C., R.N., Commander Dennistoun, D.S.C., R.N., Commander Harper, R.N., and Commander Ehvorthy, R.N. The judge-advocate Avas Paymaster-Lieu-tenant-Commander Marrs, R.N., and the prosecutors Avere Commander Garner, R.N.Z.N.V.R., and Lieutenant Prebble, R.N.Z..N.V.R. Mr Lisle Alderton Avas the prisoner’s friend. A letter setting out the circumstances leading Up to the charge Avas read by the judge-advocate. It stated that before the departure of the Arbutus from Pearl Harbour on September 28 the accused received routing instructions from the commander of the HaAvaiian sea frontier as to the course he was to take to Fiji, The letter set out the instructions in detail and said that when the ship Avas clear of the harbour courses were set contrary to the routing instructions given. At no time did the Arbutus proceed on her route, or through any given route points. The action of the accused in disregarding his original amendment was the main contributing factor to the ship subsequently striking a shoal. In addition to this, said the letter, the accused, having taken the decision to folloAv his own route to Suva, took insufficient care for the safe navigation of his ship, in so much as only a very superficial study of the Pacific Island Pilot, volume 11, and the charts relating to the locality Avas made, resulting in a course being steered that failed to give a reasonable margin of safety off a stated danger. Accused's Statement. “After examining the routing instructions I decided of my oavii initiative to set a more direct course, Avith the object of saving approximately a day’s steaming,” said a written statement from the accused. “My intention was to make a landfall to the northAvest of Yiwa Island in the Fiji group. 1 take full responsibility for this amended course, and if blame is attachable for deviating from the route, then it is solely mine. “For some unknown reason, which I frankly cannot explain, I omitted to note a reference to the s.s. Fiona having struck a submerged reef in the area in 1915,” said accused’s statement. “Had I seen this reference I Avould have given the coast a much Avider berth than the three miles I Avas alloAving. There is no reference to this particular happening on the chart.” The statement concluded by saying that no blame was attachable to any of the officers or men of the ship, all of whom acted in an exemplary manner during the period of stress immediately after the ship struck. Mr Alderton said the accused Avas one of the original permanent members of the Jt.N.V.R. in New Zealand. He Avas called up on the outbreak of Avar, and was one of the survivors of the Puriri, Avhich Avas blown up when she struck a mine. Accused Avas sent on a course to Australia, and later commanded Admiralty trawlers in England. He served on the east, coast of England, and in the Mediterranean for two years, during which he received accelerated promotion. Later he was placed in command of the Arbutus, which he Avas directed to bring out to NeAV Zealand. Mr Alderton said this Avas the first time an officer of the R.N.V.R. in NeAV Zealand had been subjected to courtmartial procedure.