THE KAIPARA INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 26, 31 January 1910, Page 2

THE KAIPARA INQUIRY.

(Ooirtiimed from Page 5.)

INTCOm^ENIENT—-NOTrUNO MORE. Herman Dawson, fourth officer, in his evidence largely corroborated that of the officers who pave evidence before him. He joined the Kaipara last September, and this -was his fotirth visit to Auckland. He marked the times, and entered the course followed in the log. They ivere somewhat less than half-a---mile oft the red luminous buoy when they struck. Had she kept on her course, and not struck the shoal, she would have passed two cables off the red buoy. Immediately the vessel struck he was given the order to stop, and this order he communicated to the engine-room. The vessel listed up, and then listed to starboard. She pulled up in one and a-half times her own length. On each of the four occasions that witness had prone nut of the port nf Auckland, exactly the same course had been pursued as that taken by the Kaipara. In answer to Mr. Cotter, ■witness said the list whieli the Ivaipara had was not by any means unusual. He had been on ships having 500 to 700 tons of coal on deck which had a list of more than seven degrees. It would only be inconvenient in as far as it would affect the walking of those on the ship; it would make it a bit more tiring. Mr. Kettle: It is admitted that the list did not make the ship unseaworthy. "WHERE THE KAIPAIIA STRUCK. Continuing, the witness stated that the Kaipara was pretty well loaded when she pot into Auckland, and did not take a very great deal of cargo aboard at thus port. He was with Captain Corn-wall when, on examination, a shoal was discovered which is not shown on the chart. From the soundings taken at low water spring tide, 24ft. was the lowest depth on this shoal. Mr. Cotter said that he understood from Mr. MeVeagh that there would he no dispute as to the depth of the water on the ehon.l. The only difference was as to a matter of seven or nine inches. Mr. Kettle: And where you found this shoal, givinjr a depth of 24ft., the chart gives a depth of 31ft.?—Yes. Mr. Cotter: And it was on that shoal that the vessel struck?— Yes. Mr. Cotter said that dtiring the afternoon he would produce some of the rock taken from this shoal. (Proceeding.)