TOO CLOSE INSHORE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18676, 27 April 1926, Page 12

TOO CLOSE INSHORE.

MOSQUITO VESSEL IN A STORM. (FBESS ASSOCIATION TBLXGBAIt.) WELLINGTON, April 26. While on tho way from Kaikoura io Wellington on the morning of Match 31st, tho small steamer Cvgnot (70 tons net) touched off Benmore, ill tho vicinity of "Waipapa Point. Tho incident was the subject of an enquiry which was held in tho Magistrate's Court to-day. Mr Riddell, S.M., was chairman, and ho had as assessors Cap--5 tain Rogers and Captain Edwin. Mr | ,T. Prendevillo represented the Marine ' Department, and -Mr K. lv. Kirkcnldie appeared for tho master of tho Cygnet. In evidence, Captain AVilliam Williamson, master of the Cygnet, said that at 12.30 p.m. on March 30th there was too much sea to lit) at Kaikoura wharf, so he proceeded to Wellington. Two hours later, owing to the northerly gale and the heavy sea, lie ran back" under the peninsula at Kaikoura. He could not anchor, and lie turned around and came on to Wellington witness could not sec Waipapa Point, but it should have been three miles and a half off. When ho went on deck at midnight, the wind was blowing a hard northerly. "Witness was in his room doing sonic writing;, and had an occasional look out on the deck. Just after 1 a.m. the man at • Jio wheel said lie thought the vessel was a bit eloso to land. Witness went oil deck and ordered the helm hard aport, rang "Stand by" on the telegraph, then "Full astern." Just after ringing "Full astern" the Cygnet struck. The vessel first struck forward, then aft. Her head swung round and she came off into deep -water. Witness tried tlic pumps in both holds, but got no water. At 4' a.m. water was found in the after-hold, but was kept in check by tho pumps. Wellington" was reached at 10.50 a.m. The Thick Weather. To Mr Kirkcaldie, witness said ho was familiar with the coastline and tho cotour of the land. Judging by events as lie know them now, lie may have been deceived by the atmospheric conditions. The chart showed no soundings in the bay at this point, but tho recent heavy southerly galcs i and floods might have affected tho shingle beds. Corroborative evidence was given by James Penteney Palsen, mato of the Cygnet, who said that when tho weather was heavy "outside" it was the custom of small ships to crawl along the coast. It was necessary for vessels of the mosquito class to keep near the shore to make their passage. Robert Louis Sweet, engineer of tho Cygnet, also gave evidence. Details of the damage done to tho Cygnet's hull were given by William Mouatt, ship surveyor. On the starboard side about 50 rivets were started, and two plates under tho boiler wero buckled. The Court found that the master committed an error of judgment in changing liis course, but that lie acted in a senmanliko manner after the stranding in bringing liis vessel safely to port. His certificate would be returned.