THE LOSS OF THE MURITAI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 140, 12 June 1908, Page 2

THE LOSS OF THE MURITAI.

(Continued from page 5.)'

Further questioned by Mr Sharpies, Captain Hopkins stated that the binnacle lights went out of order as the ship came round from the Manukau. Witness gave instructions that they should be attended to, but this was not done. You say Mr Allen should not have lei: the bridge?— Yes; I do say so. Well, how does he manage when he wants to see the standard compass abaft? —He could delegate that duty to a trustworthy seaman. Mr Kettle: You think he would be justified in delegating that duty to a seaman ?—Yes. Mr Sharpies: Is it possible for the officer of the watch to compare the two compasses without leaving the bridge? —No. Is it also necessary to leave the bridge to study the.log?— Anyone can do that. Mr Kettle—The helmsman would not alter the ship's course without authority?— No. He would keep on that course until told to alter it?— Yes; he would simply steer the course given him. ' Should the officer forget to give him a change of course, the helmsman will go straight on?— Yes. Was the standard compass adjusted when the steering compass was attended to?—I cannot say. When there is a change of officers, are the captains asked if they have any ob-1 jection?—No; we are simply asked to report on them. I reported on Mr Allen after the first trip he made with mc, and said he evidently had a good knowledge of the coast, but did not seem to know how to handle the men. Mr Allen was taken on to the Muritai practically on my recommendation. In reply to Mr McGregor, Captain Hopkins said he received a card of deviation from Captain Adamson, worked the course from the Manukau, as if he were a stranger to the coast, and he found the compass quite true. Changing from the West Coast to the East made no difference. When witness went below on the night of the wreck, there was no reason for him to be anxious. The night was fine and clear, and the ship was on ia true course. If witness was called every time the course was changed from Tutukaka to Tiri, he would have to be aroused four times. He did not know of any ship on which it was customary to call the captain every time the course was changed. Mr Kettle: Don't you think it as well that some check should be kept upon the ■changing of a course?— Well, where an officer would possibly forget to change his course, he would also forget to call his superior officer. Continuing, witness said that, even if the second officer passed Tutukaka without changing his course, and had been keeping a proper look out, he would have rknown from the position of the Hen and Chickens that he had lorgotten. The second officer should have called him when it began to thicken. There was no use in calling him after the fog had closed down. (Proceeding.)