STRUCK ROCKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 11

STRUCK ROCKS.

HOLMGLEN DAMAGED.

CAPTAIN HELD TO BLAME.

NATTTICAI. COUBT FINDING.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

An account of low the motor ship Holmglen (448 tone) struck the rocks at Pompey's Pillar, near Akaroa, on February 17 was given by Captain W. J. Mead, master of the vessel, at the nautical inquiry held to-day before Mr. E. Page, S.M., and Captain L. Worrall and Captain F. Dewliurst, assessors. The Holmglen left Timaru for Lyttelton on February 16. Nearing Banks Peninsula she ran into a heavy tog. Shortly before 3 a.m. on February 17 it was estimated by dead reckoning that the vessel was off Pompey s Pillar. I Almoet immediately afterwards the vessel struck with some force. The forepeak tank immediately flooded, and it was seen that the forepart of the vessel and the stern were damaged. Not "knowing whether the ship would sink or not, the crew made preparations to abandon the veswel. Lifebelt* were donned and lifeboats were swung out in readiness. However, it was found that the forward bulkhead was holdin , and the vessel proceeded to Lyttelton and subsequently to Wellington for lePa Captain Holm, managing director of the Holm Shipping Company, Ltd., owners of the vessel, said that as a result of the mishap 16 plat&i had been damaged. The repairs had cost £lbuu.

Error of Judgment. After giving detailed evidence regaling the mishap, Captain Mead said the happening proved to lum now that the visibility was not as good as he it was. The only reason he could o in explanation of the mishap wastliat it was due either to a set against the ship or to an enoi lO Mr. Foden, who appeared for Captain Mead: I daresay you feel now that your estimate of the visibili y particular fog was in error Witness: Yes, it certain y ; t Mr. Foden: But you are sattofled that von did vour best to penetrate the c and pick up any give you an estimate of your situation 1 Witness: That is so. _ , -\fpad The Court found that £ a P ta "J i , in had committed an erroi o J " , re( j steering too fine a course, and entered him to pay £10 10/ toward the cost o the inquiry- certificate *as tU "He d 'set substantially the course he had taken on Page in | visibility was good, s. - "Havand speed of he should thick fog P*r aill »* 1 *££margin of have given himself a wiaer safety."