H.M.S. PYRAMUS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 165, 12 July 1907, Page 5

H.M.S. PYRAMUS.

TRIAL OF COMMANDER. FINDING OF THE COURT. SYDNEY, July 11. The final court-martisl in conection with the mishap to H~SI.S. Pyramus was held to-day, when Commander Fitzmaurice was arraigned and charged with negligence or default.

The prosecutor, Captain Cowper, of H.iLS. said lie would not allow "a •warrant-officer to keep watch inside the Bairfer reef. If it -was impossible to anchor at night he -would prefer to take charge himself, if no commissioned officer was available. In open waters he allowed his own warrant-officer to keep watch. Lieutenant Braithwaite stated that until the course was altered by WarrantOfficer Collingwood he had never known it to be dene without a comme-nder's permission or knowledge. Collingwood had frequently kept watch inside the Barrier reef.

Lieutenant Hurst stated that he had instructed Collingwood to take the watch without reference to the commander He said that, despite the regulations, he considered he was justified in leaving the bridge, as the course was the longest and clearest they would have throughout that day. The commander knew nothing of his leaving the bridge. The vessel was kept running night and day to enable the Governor-General to keep an appointment. rr

Commander Fitzmauriee. in his statement, said he placed the ship on a safe course, which, if maintained, would have cleared the danger by eight cable lengths, with a clear run of fifteen miles, by which time he would have been on deck again. It was impossible to foresee that Colhngwood, who was reliable, would alter the course without informing him, especially as he was in the chart house within a few feet. '

The court-martial found Commander Fitzmaunee guilty of an error of judgment m leaving the bridge without givmg an order that Lieutenant Hurst should remain on the bridge until C reef was passed The Court expressed appreciation of the seamanship abilities of the whole crew m refloating the vessel.