STRUCK IN FOG.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 268, 12 November 1935, Page 8

STRUCK IN FOG.

MISHAP TO WAIPAHI.

MARINE INQUIRY OPENED. STORY TOLD BY CAPTAIN. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. A nautical inquiry regarding the recent mishap to tho Union Company's steamer Waipahi, which touched an obstruction off Pencarrow, was opened this morning. Mr. E. D. MV,seley, S.M., presided, with Captain F. IJarron and Captain F. Dewhurst as nautical assessors. The accident occurred on October 30, the Waipahi returning to port badly damnged. Mr. N. A. Foden appeared for the Marine Department, Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell for Captain Warwick, of the Waipahi', Mr. C. White for the Union Company, and Mr. J. F. B. Stevenson for the Wellingtou Harbour Board. In a brief opening speech, Mr. Foden said that the captain, officers and crew were to be congratulated that nothing more than material damage resulted to tho vessel. Captain Warwick said he left Wellington at 10.59 p.m. Heavy rain squalls made visibility poor. At 11.IS Steeple Rock was abeam. The weather had thickened and visibility was bad, with a strong southerly blowing and a rough head sea running. Pencarrow Light became visible, but never for long enough to get a bearing on it. Tt appeared to be from three-quarters of a point to a point on tho port bow, and it appeared to him the ship was on the correct course. Abeam of Lower Pencarrow there was neither broken water nor anything else to show the vessel was not on her proper course. The impact, he continued, occurred at 11.37. The vessel never lost headway. She seemed to strike amidships on the port side. He ordered "Hard a-star-board," and continued on his altered course at reduced speed until the weather cleared. He ordered the bilges to be sounded and sent the third officer to the engine room to ascertain if any water was showing there. There was thick driving rain at the time. At 12.40 the weather cleared sufficiently, and as soon as lights could' be picked up he returned to port. No Explanation to Offer. To a question he said he had no explanation to offer why he should have come into contact with an obstruction. He never heard any fog signal, and neither did anyone else on the vessel. Mr. Treadwell said it was not to be suggested that a fog signal was blowing. To Mr. Treadwell Captain Warwick said he had had 30 years' experience at sea, 17 with the Union Company. He had been in and out of Wellington many times. On this occasion lack of visibility prevented him using leading lights to check his course. After passing Steeple Rock the only light visible was Pencarrow, and it was seen only intermittently. Because of tho bad visibility the third officer, Mr. Young, was standing in the open above the bridge to see that the ship's head was kept on the course and to keep a lookout. Captain Warwick said he did not stand in the wheelhouso looking out. All lights were either screened or put out. The man at the wheel was an experienced helmsman. There was also a lookout man on the fo'c'sle head. To Mr. White, Captain Warwick said the steering gear was tested before the ship left the wharf, and it was found to be in good order. The compasses were also in good order. The Department did not suggest that anything was wrong with the apparatus on the ship, said Mr. Foden, in reply to a question by the magistrate. Captain Warwick said lie was depending entirely on a magnetic course, without any possibility of checking. Under such circumstances he did not consider it would have been wiser to anchor, as he assumed he was on a safe course, and he could not see the lights to turn round and get back to an anchorage in Worser Bay. Evidence was also given by tho third officer. (Proceeding.)