NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 253, 25 October 1893, Page 4

NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

STRIKING OF THE VACUNA.

The magisterial inquiry into the striking of the Sydney-owned barquentine Vacuna on the Orwell Bank, while entering the Manukau Harbour, was concluded yester. day evening, so far as the hearing of evi< dcnco was concerned. Dr. Giles, E.li, was on the Bench, being also assisted by Captain Andrew, nautical assessor. Mr A. Hose, Collector of Customs, conducted tha case. Joseph Keld, mate of the Vacuna, con« tinuing his evidence, said he had never entered any of the North Island bar harbours. If a master, ho would have procured a copy of the latest directions. He would have followed the regulations laid down in such a, book. The compasses cm board were trustworthy. Richard Jool Paltridge, signalman at the Manukau South Head, said he remembered the Vacuna approaching the bar. He advised her to take the main channel and this course was followed. When off the Orwell Bank he signalled the barquentine to luff, instead of which she wore round and stood I our. He then put up the signal "Tacit, instantly." The Jack for a pilot was then hoisted on the vessel, and also three] flags signifying that his signals,, all] though read, were not) understood. Itj was nob usual for a pilot to gol outside. It was the custom to guide al vessel over the bar by the semaphores. Ha presumed that the master of the vessel understood the signals when he ventured to cross the bar. When all the Mguais tl keep more off were disregarded, he put bha very urgent one, "You are standing tl danger." Ho was then signalling by fchl Commercial code, which is understood bj the masters of all vessels, foreign or othea wise. No attention was paid, and tn •vessel struck close to the breakers of tn beach. His signals were strictly in accora ancewith the "New Zealand Pilot" regull tious. 11 Cross-examined by Capt. Corlett, wifcn J said he had his semaphore arm out to tl northward the first time and nob to tbesoui ward. He had known vessels to enter tj bar without regarding his signals, but on through stress of weather. The water vl smooth for a pilot, but ib was not o custom for a pilot to go out. 1 Captain Robertson stated that I; had never during bis five years!; service had occasion to send a pi over the bar for a vessel. He I never known a master to enter the J without understanding the signals. J considered the directions in the "New j land Pilot" to be full, explicit, and corn Although no master had ever complains the signals being indistinct, yet froml ' own observation he knew the fact to bl He considered a master should be full! quainted with a bar harbour before attei ing to cross it. He thought it the duj a ship master to obtain all the latesb i|j|; mation regarding the porb he wiebarj enter. I' Abel Carlsen and James Bruce Gu| A.B. seamen on board the Vacuuaf gave evidence. f The evidence having been conJ , yesterday afternoon, Mr A; Rose, Col of Customs, summed up, and the Coul this morning. I After three-quarters of an hour's del tion, the Bench gave judgment I / lows : — " We have fully consider! evidence in this case and I arrived at the following decisl That Captain Corlet acted rashly J . tempting to enter the Manukau Harl the occasion in question, without I standing the signals that were givfl and without having provided himsel such recent information relating to I trance and to the local signaU as I found in the " New Zealand Pilot." b Corlet had only once before onfcap Manukau Harbour, some thirty yeli And never in charge of a ship, and ■■ dent to the vessel was entirely caw his attempting to enter without** . quisite knowledge. Wo think le rashness displayed by Captain C& this occasion is deserving of censf?.-.. that there is no necessity for dotJ>t suspending his certificate, and, sinil the sole loser by the damage donfe vessel, the justice of the case wiljflt by this expression of the censulpe Court and by ordering that he payjtß of this inquiry, amounting to £3 7§