THE STRANDING OF THE MAPOURIKA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 209, 3 September 1900, Page 3

THE STRANDING OF THE MAPOURIKA.

THE COURT OF INQUIRY.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, Saturday

A formal, investigation into the stranding of the Mupourika on Mabel Island, oif Picton, was -held to-day before Mr C. C. Graham, S.M., and Capts. Fleming' and MeParlane. Captain Sponco gave evidence that, he lay down in his cabin at five, minutes to eleven, telling the third officer, who was in charge, to calf him at twelve. • Witness heard a noise, and jumped up and saw the clock showing* ei^ht minutes past twelve. The third oflicer had his hand on the handle. As he left the cabin he felt her strike. This was the first time he had not been culled to the minute. It was liis practice to lie down, and he considered it prudent. Had the night been thick he would not have lain down. With the same officer- lie would lie down again. His reason was that they would be at the wliarf at half-past twelve, leave again at one, and reach the Tory Channel ah hour -and threequarters, so he would be on deck* till three, and if the weather was bad he would continue on deck while crossing the Straits. ' 11. L. Instonc. tlie third officer, said the reason lie did not call the captain was'that the second officer had not come at twelve, and because they were not off the Snout. Knowing the second mate was coining up he put it off for a few minutes. Up to the time the witness lef the bridge there were no shadows. When he went back after calling- the captain there were shadows. The captain told him since the accident that his clock was not at the same time as that in the chartro-om. The third engineer and the steersman also gave evidence. A\ Anderson, A.8... on the lookout, said the night was calm, £«_d the shadows lay on the water. He saw the tops of the hills, but could not distinguish the base. He had only been Into Picton once or twice before, and never saw Mabel Island until he saw it by the lights of the ship when she struck. The island was obscured by shadow till the masthead light fell oh it. He saw the Picton light about four minutes before, the vessel struck. Frederick William Brown, second mate, said that on the, night- the vessel went ashore he was due on the deck at twelve, and turned out about six minutes past, being tired. He relieved the third officer. He described the course steered. Immediately after Picton lights disappeared he gave the order to starboard the helm. This was promptly carried out, and the ship had just got on her course When she Struck. It was very dark and the shadows were thrown from the hummocks on the port side right across the water to Mabel Island. The shadows were also thrown from Mabel Island. He attributed the getting on the end of the island to the extraordinary depth of the shadows, Which made him" keep further off the land on the port Bide than he would otherwise have done. He was deceived tajr

the depjth of the shadows and did hot consider it necessary to slow down till the captain came on deck, 'but would do so again under similar circumstances. All hands on deck were perfectly sober,

After hearing the evidence Mr Graham, S.M., after consultation with the nautical assessors, said the accident was solely due to an error of judgment on the part of the second officer in keeping too far to the .westward after passing the Snout, having been deceived by the shadows. The Court did not think it a' case for retaining certificates. No blame was attachable to the captain or first or third officer. As to costs, the second officer having made an error must be held responsible for paying expenses, £2 14s.