LOSS OF THE MURITAI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 141, 13 June 1908, Page 5

LOSS OF THE MURITAI.

THE SECOND MATE'S STORY. A QUESTION OF COURSE. ! The investigation into the loss of the steamship Muritai, on an island in the Hen and Chickens group, on May 27, was continued before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., and Captains Reid 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. Thomas Letherby, chief officer of the Muritai, stated that on the night 02 the wreck, he took charge of the vessel at 9.15. The captain gave him a southeast iby south course, by the ship's compass. The boat was to run that course until she registered 29 or 30 miles by the log, and was then to be hauled up south-east by south, by three-quarters south. Witness remained in charga until midnight, when he han-ded- the boat over to the second officer. They were then about two and a-half miles northeast of the Wide Berth Islands. Up to this it had been a fine starlight night. It was so clear that the Poor Knights Islands could "be seen. Witness instructed the second officer to change the course when the log showed 29 miles, and he saw the Gables abeam, and then to alter his course as the captain had directed. The log then read 15 miles. He was satisfied the second officer understood his instructions, as he repeated them after him. When the second ofS cer called him up at a quarter to four, he said, "It's thick; shall I call the captain?" Witness replied, "Certainly; if you don't, I ■will." Mr. Kettle: He should have called the captain first?— Yes, he should not have come to mc. SECOND MATE IN THE BOX.

William Edward Allen, second mate of the Muritai, said he joined the vessel on May 10. On the night of May 26th he took up his T.atch at midnight. The first mate gave him a course, south-east to Tutukaka, and then south-east by south three-quarter south, and also said it would be about 29 on the log. The 1 weather was a little hazy, and then would clear off again. Witness could see the land all the while. Coming up to Tutukaka he changed his course to south-east by south, three-quarter south. This he entered in the book, and then went and looked at the log, which showed 30 miles. It was then clear enough to see the entrance to the harbour, 2J miles off. He had to go to his room to make the entry in his book. Before reaching Tutukaka something of a haze came up, and he went to call the captain up, but after he got down on to the deck he caught a glimpse of the land and changed his mind, returning to the bridge. He knew it was a standing order to call the captain in thick weather. Until 3 o'clock it remained intermittently hazy. He kept a good lookout. After 3 o'clock the weather got worse, and he went aft a second time with the intention of calling the captain, but again catching a glimpse of the land he decided not to do so. Between 3.30 and 3.45 o'clock the boat began to run into a thick bank of fog. Witness reckoned that they should be clearing Whangarei Heads. He looked at the log, and it showed 46i. He went to the | mate's room and gave him a call. Witness said, "We are running into a thick fog, and I am going to call the captain." The first replied, "Yes, do." He went and called the captain, and said to him ] "We are running into a thick fog, sir; you had better come up." Captain Hopkins said, "Where do you reckon we are?" Witness replied, "About abreast of Kauri Mountain." Witness went out, and was just passing the after winch when the vessel struck. Mr. Kettle: What rate were you travelling? Witness: Full speed. Mr. Kettle: What rate is that? Witness: About 8 or 9 knots. Mr. Mays: How many times during) the watch did the binnacle lights go out? —Several times. How did you manage while the lights | were being re-litt—l took the wheel and steered by a star over the mast. When the man came back, the vessel was steer-1 ing south-south-east. I at once brought her up to her course. i Mr. Mays: When you joined Captain] Hopkins what was the first thing he told you?—" Never be in doubt; always call mc." Mr. Kettle: Were you in doubt wher you called the captain?—No, I was not. Mr. Kettle: Why did you go down to call the captain ?—Because we were i running into a bank of fog. ]

Mr. Kettle: You were not uneasy?— Xo; I was perfectly confident.

Mr. Kettle: Then how do you account for the vessel getting four miles out of her course? —The only reason I can imagine is that her compass may have been out. On the previous trip it may have "edged up," and no notice ha-«e been taken, because it was such, fine weather. A FIRE OF CROSS-EXAMLSATION.

' Cross-examined by Mr McGregor, the second officer aontinued his evidence by I saying that he watched the helmsman change the course south-east by south, three-quarter eoutli. He could not say whether a change of course to southeast, three-quarter south would have brought the ship up to the position where she was wrecked. Mr McGregor: Could you have made such a mistake? —No; I am sure I did not. Mr McGregor: Could the man at the wheel have made the mistake of only altering to a south-east by three-quarter south course? —No; I watched him change the course to south-east, by south three-quarter south. Mr McGregor: And you are sure that you changed the course at Tutukaka? —Absolutely sure. Mr McGregor: Were you looking te pick up the Hen and Chiskens? —.No; 1 was on the look-out for Whangarei Heads. Mr McGregor: Did you pick up Bream Head?— No. And you were not uneasy oa that score, or felt it your duty to to call up the captain!— No. From Tutukaka to the point where the ship struck you were relying entirely upon the compass?— Yes. Are you satisfied now, after the wreck, that the ship was upon her proper course?— Yes; from the time I took th vessel over from the mate, I am satisfied she was on her right course. Stephens, the man at the wheel, witness added, was relieved by Sinclair at 2 a.m. Stephens gave Sinclair the course, south-east by south, three-quar. ter south. Witness did not leave the bridge to make coffee, but had it brought to him. Mr Kettle: You expected to pick up Whangarei Heads before seeing the Hen and Chickens?— Yes. What aws in your mind?—l thought

we had five or six miles to run, and were about to run into a bank of fogi

Mr McGregor: Why did, you ■wait until you got right into the fog before calling the captain?—We ran dean into a bank of fog.

Mr Kettle: You reckoned you were on a safe course?— Yes.

Mr McGregor: Do you think it was a proper thing for you to leave the bridge?—l do, seeing thai 1 left to look at the log.

Mr Kettle: A look-out man, according to the regulations, should not leave his post; is the regulation properly observed?— Not at all times.

Was the look-out at his post when •the vessel struck?— jS'o; I saw him taking the first mate hissocks.

Sothatyouweredownarousin gtheca p-

So that you were down, arousing the captain, and the look-out was getting the first mate his socks, when the vessel struck? —Yes.

And the man at the wheel was practicaly in charge of the ship?— Yes.

In answer to Mr. Sharpies, witness said that when the fog was encountered, the ship ran into it "all of a lump." Pre. viously it was clear enough to see the stars above, and to see a quarter of a mile ahead. He felt no anxiety about not picking up the Hen and Chickens, as he thought he was well inside them. After leaving Tutukaka he naturally expected to lose sight of the land at such points as Ngungura Bay and Deep Bay. Before reaching Sail Rock he would have been relieved. He called the mate to relieve him just before the boat struck. At the same time vviuiieas said he was going to call the captain, and the mate replied, "Yes, do; I'll be up in a mlmrce."

Mr. Sharpies: When you called the captain, what conversation took place?— The c pasniata :rvr.ai vb vkdgikgb

The captain said, "Where do you reckon we are?" I replied, "Somewhere abreast of Kauri Mountain." He said "All right, I'll be up in a minute." I left his cabin, and as I passed the after winch the boat struck the rocks.

Mr. Sharpies: You know it to be a general instruction that officers should not leave the bridge; tell us why you did so? —Because I wanted to take the log.

Why did you not send the man at the wheel ? —He could neither read nor write.

Sir. Kettle: Have you any theory to offer how this wreck occurred?— Yes; on the previous trip I believed the compass was out, and it was so clear on that trip that the compass was little used, and the fact that it was out was not noticed. On the next trip the weather changed, and it was necessary to rely upon the compass.

You think that the compass was out, then!— Yes.

Mr. Sharpies: Apart from that you can offer no suggestion of the cause of the wreck ?—No.

Mr. Kettle: Prom Piercy Island to Tutukaka the compass was all right, and brought you to a proper course.—Ye3. It was after leaving Tutukaka that the compass failed then? —Yes, I can offer no other solution of the wreck.

Mr. Mays: Did you tell a newspaper reporter that you steered a south-east by east, half east course?—No, the statements which appeared in the newspapers were not given by mo.

Mr. Kettle: Something has been said about your inability to get on with the men. What truth is there in that?—j. have had some words with one of the men, Sinclair, that is aIL ADJUSTING THE COMPASS. Captain Adamson, licensed adjuster of compasses (recalled), stated that he was satisfied the compass cc the Jluritai fulfilled requirements. It was the bridge compass which witness adjusted in Mar. The after-compass had not been adjusted since 1902.

Mr. lieUie: uo you not think it desirable that a vessel should carry two compasses ?—Yes.

Then is it not equally desirable that both compasses should always be adjusted?— Yes.

Mr. McGregor: When the standard compass is adjusted, there is no difficulty in the master getting the deviation of himself?— That is so.

Mr. Mays said he had three more witnesses—possibly five—and there was no possibility of getting through the inquiry before Monday. The inquiry was accordingly adjourned till Monday morning.