LOSS OF THE MURITAI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 140, 12 June 1908, Page 5

LOSS OF THE MURITAI.

EVIDENCE AT INQUIEY. WAS THE COURSE FOU/JWED? The formal investigation into the loss of the steamship Muritai, on one of the islands of the Hen and Chickens group, off Whangarei Heads on May 27, was continued this morning, before Mr G. C. Kettle, S.M., and Captains Keed and Crawford, nautical assessors. Mr S. Mays appeared for the Customs Department, Mr M. G. McGregor for Captain Hopkins, Mr Sharpies for the second officer (Mr Allen), and Mr Clayton for. the Northern Company. Mr Mays, in opening, said that tse attention of the inquiry would be directed almost entirely to what took" place from the time the vessel passed Piercey Island until she an island of the Maro Tiri group. The evidence -would show that, after rounding Piercey Island Captain Hopkins set a course with the island astern. He left specific instructions that when 29 miles had been covered, according to the log, the course snouiu be altered. Had these instructions been followed, the vessel would have cleared the Hen and Chickens and Sail Rock. Further than that, from the time the second officer entered the service of the company, there had been a standing order, with which Mr Alien had been made acquainted, that if ever in doubt the captain of the vessel should ut once be called. This order was as old as the company itself. According to the second officer's statement, the weather was intermittently hazy anc clear. Instead of acquainting the captain, the second officer waited until he and to call the first mate, and then told him that the weather was thickening. The first mate's reply was "If you do not call the captain, I will." The second mate then went to call the captain, but as he did so, the vsssel struck, the rocks. It was apparent that the weather was extremely hazy, since it was not possible to make out the rocks at a height of 725 feet, and Bream Head, which was still higher. "When asked how he got outside his course, the second mate said, "I don't know; the compass must have been wrong." Captain Hopkins was a most careful master, and he saved the compass, log, and charts Everything that was possible appearec to have been done afterwards, the pas sengers being attended to, and the mail* saved. Captain Adamson, a licensed inspectoi of compasses, said that he first examined the Muritai's compass three years ago It was then in, excellent order. Witness again examined it very carefully on the sth of the present mo-nlb. It was ther in as good order as wher. he saw it thret or four weeks previously at Onehunga, On May 9th he gave a certificate to the master that the compass was in first-class order. In all cases where such a course was set as that given by the master oi the Muritai just prior to the wreck, it would be necessary to aiiow a deviation of a quarter point to the right. Mr Sharpies: Do you remember that, after the compass of the Muritai had been adjusted three years ago, and she hadl proceeded to sea, an error was discovered, and she had to swung again?—No, I know nothing of that. THE CAPTAIN'S STORY. Captain Hopkins, master of the wrecked vessel, stated that on the night of the wreck he left Russell with a cargo of oysters. During the day the weather had been thick, but it cleared up as night came on, and became fairly fine. There was a nor'-west wind, and the sea was smooth. Witness steered two courses until Piercey Island was rounded. That was at 10.21) p.m. He then set a course which he ordered the officers to steer. By his ship's compass he set a course south-east by south for 29* miles by the log. That would bring the boat to a little inside two miles of the gables of Tutukaka. Having reached that point, the order was to be passed on to the second mate to steer for the remainder of his watch a course south-east by south, three-quarter south. It was a fine night "when he retired at 10.3(T p.m. At 12.30 he again came on deck, and saw Mr Allen, the second officer, on the bridge. Mr Allen had taken up his watch at midnight. Witness could see the land quite plainly a mile and a-half away. The ship was then on the proper coarse. The next he knew was when the second officer came in and said, "It's forty-six and a-half on the log, and the weather is thick." Witness immediately jumped to his feet, but before he left the cabin the vessel struck. He ran up on the bridge, but although the cliffs were rising 750 ft hign just ahead of him less than 25ft in front, he cculd not see anything, the weather was so thick. As he ran up the deck he cried out to stop the engines, and also an order to clear the boats. Mr Kettle :Am I to understand everything was done properly after that? Mr Mays: Yes, everything was done, and done well. HEUUSMAN'S PRESENCE OF HIND. Witness went-on *• was no need to swing out the boats, as the passengers and crew were handed out

rocks. He also saved Ms compass. >5J<» officer was on the bridge at the time of the wreck, the second mate having rutt down to the -witness' cabin. The man at the wheej aJtered the course of Ma owa accord just before the vessel struck. Mr Mays: "What was the effect of that? ~ Witness: The man saw the splash ofi water, and bad he not altered the course she would have struck in a spot where she would have sunk inside 10 seconds. Mr Kettle: You think the iaan at the wheel is to be commended then? Witness: Yes, I certainly think so. | A TEETOTAL CREW. . ~ ! Captain Hopkins continued his evidence by saying that when the vessel went oa the rocks she was four miles off her; course. Mr. Kettle: Can you form any idea'of how the vessel got four miles out of lee course? Witness: I can only-form a theory. Mr. Mays: The first day the second officer joined you, what did you tell himt Witness: I said to him: "No mattee what happens, or when or where it is, call mc if you are even in doubt." Every) night I'm at sea, no matter how old the officer is who is with mc, I always tell him, before I leave the bridge, to give , * mc a call if he is in doubt. Witness further added that he had been at sea for 40 years, and all his life had been a teetotaller and a non-smoker. His orders always were that no officers or members of the crew should be allowed to drink at the ship's bar whea the boat was under weigh. He was sure there was no question of liquor Sβ j far as the officers were concerned. In reply to Mr. Mays, witness furtueE v added that his ship steered beautifully, ; and his first officer was a most capable ! mariner. After the vessel struck ha ' asked the man at the wheel what course he was steering, and his reply was "South-east by south, and three-quartee south." Mr. Mays: Did the second mate off ex any reason for not having called you earlier? —He said that he came down at... 3 o'clock to call mc, but when he got my door it seemed to lighten up, and he ■went back to the bridge. /. Mr. Sharpies: What is your opinion of the second officer, Mr. Allen? Witness: He has only been with mc for about two months altogether; his' • coasting ability was all right. He -was good enough for the position, and 1 have no fault to find. THE CAPTAIN'S COMPLAINT. ;' Witness added that the second officer must have been in doubtj or he would . not have left the bridge. In any case • jhe should not ha"-c left the bridge, but should have sent the man at the wheel. Mr. Kettle: You complain that yon ( were not called? —Yes, had I been called when the weather thickened the- Muritai would not have been jwrecked. Is that why you did'not give Mr. Allen a discharge?—Yes,-if I teil an bfficer to' call mc when the weather is "thick, aiii !he does not do so,'that is an-act of di&" obedience. How can you say he had reason to; be in doubt weather was so dense that he could not see an island 750 feSei high a mile ahead. You think he should have called you* —Yes, I do. Did you ask the second officer how, long the fog had been down?—l do not remember. , What did you say?— The moment 1 jumped from my bunk the ship hit the rocks, and if I said anything it yrasa.'p "a" word you' will : " find -in the - 'dietioHsryr* When a vessel is on the rocks a man does "not stop to discourse upon tb# atmosphere. - -~. —, .r"—. ~ Can you say there was any intention of deviation from the "course? Witness: No, I suggest nothing. _-■ Mr. Kettle: There is no question of 4»« tentional design. Mr. Mays: That Vould be maw slaughter. ~ ... Mr. Sharpies: Have 7011 a theory a* to the cause of the deviation? Witness: I have, but I prefer not ±0 disclose it until I have heard all th* ■qvirlcriee. j"".. "--'.." ' . ! (Continued on .page 2.)- ,_..._ .