THE HERALD GAIRLOCH COLLISON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 124, 3 June 1885, Page 3

THE HERALD GAIRLOCH COLLISON.

Nautical Inquiry.

(Beforeß. 0. Seth Smith, Esq., R.M., nnd 1 ftptains Frater and Scott, Nautical Bpeora.)

Iljjgg we went to press yesterday alter--Don the cross-examination of C. Bonner, Mte of tho Herald, was continued. In Nply to Mr Williamson.he said tho trim of Herald was not good sailing trim for the jiad that was blowing. George Kassel, gooad officer of the Herald, deposed that he took the wheel when the vessel left the ibarf, and that she steered all right. The inquiry was resumed at 10.30 to-day. Matthews, able seaman, employed on the Herald, deposed that he was Jo the deck of his vessel at the time of the collision. He was on the look-out at the \m of the ladder on tho starboard side. lint of all he saw the red light of the Gairloch approaching. Although he had been jp ana down the Manukau somo half aj(Bn times before, he could not say at what m__ of it the Herald then was. ITe did not fee any mast-head light on the Gatrlocb. Hamate of the Herald gave the order "port" and the captain repeated it. As ioonaequence of this order, tho vessel 'time round very quickly —co quickly | to be brought as near the land U possible. The captain, after calling out KforV' sang out "Is your helm aport?" |p mate immediately afterwards called got . Starboard," and the captain replied Wfo; I'll run foul of her if I do." Up till that time witness thought tho approaching ntsel was a schooner, as all he could see tew two square sails. Tho collision then took place. Ho never saw the Gairloch's green light either before or after tho eoflieion. '•Cross-examined by Mr Hesketh : The Bate was on the.forecastle-head from the j§§o witnes. saw tho red light until tho eoHi-ion took place. The captain called out XPert" twice before tho mate sang out (•Starboard," When the mate gave the Jitter order the red light appeared to be getting round the Herald's port bow, and fier that order was given it - eemed to get farther round to port. The Herald, which tad strong headway on, was heading jfraight for the land, and the Gairloch |ruck her on the port bow. ■Cross-examined by Mr Cooper : After the pllision the Gairloch seemed to slip astern I the Herald, and the latter vessel began logo ahead again when they were a clear iingth apart. He saw no buoys that night. Ho hove the lead after the collision, and band bit) five fathoms of water. The Itesels were then still alongside, and just 'Winning to part. He hove the _ lead between the two vessels just amidships of ihsHera'd /.ToCaptain Frater.- Ho hove the lead beam® he thought the Herald was aground -she was so near to the land on the starboard side. The lead is usually kept handy ■ the main hatchway until the harbour is desred. He hove tho lead on the port side because it was nearer that side, and he got apand down soundings. He reported the (Wilt to the captain, who was upon the bridge, but he did not seem to take any Mtice. '.James Brown, chief "engineer of tho s.s i HSrald, and owner of an intoreat in her, deposed that on tho night of the_ collision 'ffi was in charge of the engine-room. £ (Left sitting.)