WAHINE MISHAP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 13

WAHINE MISHAP.

COURT'S FINDING. AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT. CAPTAIN'S ACTION PRAISED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. A decision that Captain B. B. Irwin was guilty of an error of judgment was reached by the Court of Inquiry into the mishap of the inter-island steamer Wahine, which crashed into Pipitea wharf on June 5. The Court returned Captain Irwin's certificate unendorsed.

Captain Irwin was found guilty of an error of judgment on two counts: (1) In steering the course he did from abeam of Point Jerningham, which he did not see, and (2) in approaching the wharves in such a fog at an excessive speed. Mr. Mosley said he agreed on every point with the nautical assessors, Captains J. Mrtwson and J. G. Watson.

"At the same time," nald Mr. Mosley after giving the Court's decision, "the assessors have requested me to say— and it coincides with my view and, I am sure, the view of all thinking people —that the captain, officers and crew are to be commended on the great promptitude with which they acted. I do not think that too much praise can be given the captain and his officers and men in that respect.

"It lias been brought before my notice by the Crown on at two occasions that the Union Steam Ship Company in some way is alleged to have given or to give its masters instructions, secret or otherwise, regarding their arrival at port with punctuality, and it has been insinuated that some penalty would be incurred by them if they were not punctual.

"During the last two inquiries there has been not the slightest evidence to support that theory. The evidence has been entirely to the contrary, and my two assessors, who have been experienced captains in the company, state that the idea is entirely erroneous and they have requested me to emphasise the fact that no such action has been taken by the company or has been insinuated by the company."

Mr. Moslcy said that the question of fog signals, which was almost apart from the inquiry, had been discussed by the assessors and would be the subject of a special memorandum to the Minister of Marine, the Hon. P. Eraser.