MARINE INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 71, 24 March 1919, Page 5

MARINE INQUIRY.

STRANDING OF THE WAIROA. ON THE TAIRUA BAR. An investigation into the circumstances attending the stranding of the S.s. Wairoa, owned by Messrs. Cashmoro Bros., at 10 a.m. on February 3, 1910, on the Tairua Bar, Coromandel, was heW in the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr. E. C. Cutten, SJkL, and Captains Reed and Hopkins. Captain Fleming, local Superintendent of Marine, represented the Marine Department, and Mr. Diekson appeared for Edward Sellars, late- master of the Wairoa.

The inquiry questions were whether the stranding was caused through any neglect on the part of the master, or any other persons on board, and whether the casualty, by which the vessel (4!1 tons net), subsequently became a total wreck, could have been avoided.

Captain Fleming said the vessel left Auckland on January 24 for Wharekerauponga for a raft of logs. Portion, of the raft was secured next day, the vessel leaving there for Waikavva, arriving about 7 p.m. There was too much aea to get the raft out, so the boat lay at anchor at the bar, the wind being light northerly. On the 27th the wind increased, and the Wairoa ran for shelter under Slipper Island. Here she lay until February 1, when at 3 p.m. the vessel left for Tairua. The vessel left next morning for Slipper Island, and in crossing the bar bumped twice, and became a wreck. Captain Fleming added that the question was whether the master was justified in attempting to cross the "bar without adequately testing it in the circumstances. In fairness, it should be stated that the master had a long experience, and had been for a considerable time in the Wairoa. It was a fact that the East Coast barg had enjoyed immunity from accident for some years. The reason for this trouble might have been that the master had been anxious to get the raft at Slipper Island, and was tempted to take a risk.