LAUNCH COLLISION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 72, 26 March 1930, Page 9

LAUNCH COLLISION.

MISHAP IN MID-HARBOUR.

MARINE INQUIRY OPENED.

•RACTICE OF TRANSFERRING MEN

Facts regarding the practice of changing men from one vessel to another in mid-harbour were heard'this morning by a Court of Inquiry directed by the Minister of Marine to investigate a collision which occurred between the launches Olive Jean and Olive Rose, near Bean Rock, about 8.30 on the night of Sunday, January 19, The Court consisted of Mr, F. K. Hunt, S,M„ Captain D. H. Cambridge (a master mariner), and Mr. A, H, Bentley (an engineer), Mr. V.< N. Hubble appeared for the Marine Department, and Mr. Allan Moody for the owner of the two launches (Mr. N, J, Inglis) and Mr. James Francis, who was in command of the Olive Rose. When the launches collided, said Mr. Hubble, they were drawing alongside one another to transfer one of the crew from the Olive Rose to the Olive Jean. _ The Olive Rose was bound from Motuihi to Auckland, and the Olive Jean (commanded by Inglis) was goinj* to Islington Bay, There was nothing unusual about the state of the sea, although it was slightly choppy. Between 90 and 100 passengers were on the Olive Rose, while Inglis was alone on the Olive Jean. "A Severe Intpact." "Passengers will give evidence that there was a 'severe impact,"' said Mr. Hubble. "Confusion, in which a woman fainted, followed. Another woman had to have medical attention. Shortly after the impact the Olive Jean was seen signalling, and 'the Olive Rose, turning back, towed the disabled boat to Devonport. The Olive Rose' was not damaged, but the Olive Jean was badly torn about. Mr. Inglis' explanation is that it is a practice to change men from one boat to another in mid-harbour. He said there was no impact, and a preliminary statement by Mr. Francis said that 'there was absolutely no damage done or anything sprung on either vessel.'"

"A Dangerous Practice." It was the contention of the Department, continued Mr. Hubble, that either the practice of changing men when passengers were being carried was dangerous, especially at night, or, if the practice could be carried out, there must have been negligence on this occasion. Panic Among Passengers? Evidence that the impact was severe was given by John Rea, a fireman stationed at Remuera, who, with his wife and friends, was a passenger on the. Olive Rose. There was about 150 passengers on the vessel, said witness; all seats were taken and people were sitting on suit cases and leaning on the rails. The Olive Rose struck the other vessel on the side of the bow. Witness described the reaction of the passengers as "a panic." His wife had been affected and had never beon well since, being still attended by a doctor. She had had a serious operation twelve months previously. There was another alight collision when the Olive Rose picked the Olive Jean up after turning back. Evidence supporting witness' statement regarding the impact and the confusion was given by four other passengers. One said that his two children, aged 7 and 0, were thrown from the seat when the launches met. His wife had had tp be attended by a doctor for ten days afterwards. Questioned by Mr. Moody, one witness denied that in a previous statement he had said "the Olive Jean hit us bow on." What he had said was: "We hit bow on,' (Proceeding.)