SINKING OF THE COWAN

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25504, 26 May 1948, Page 6

SINKING OF THE COWAN

—♦— — COURT OF INQUIRY FINDING

VESSEL NOT KEPT ON COURSE

Beyond expressing the view that the course should have been checked, a Court of Inquiry into the sinking of the Lyttelton steam trawler Cowan at Port Levy rock on March 9 decided yesterday that no further reprimand was called for. The finding said that the vessel had been steered for some time by an uncertificated member of the crew without the captain checking its course. This might have been customary; but when the captain came to the bridge to make a signal, it should have oeen apparent from the harbour lights that the Cowan was off its course, and verification should have been made. The steersman had obviously allowed the vessel to drift inshore through not keeping to the course instructed. As the captain in his cabin was close to the wheel at all times, the Court did not think him remiss in leaving the wheel.

Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., presided over the inquiry, and with him as assessors were Captain C. C. Waters and Captain F. H. Edge. Mr A. W. Brown appeared for the Marine Department and Mr H. P. Smith for Captain George Thomas Mouncer. master of the Cowan.

Equal Shares All shares in ownership and proceeds from the Cowan were held equally among the master and crew, said Captain Mouncer. He had held a foreign-going mate's certificate for 21 years and a home-trade master’s certificate for 19 years. By 7.30 p.m. on March 9, when the Cowan was returning to Lyttelton, she was about four miles off Islet head, on which he took a bearing and then steered west by north to clear Long Lookout point, which was then visible. When the Godley head light came into view he headed directly toward it. At 9 p.m. the whistling buoy light and Godley head light were almost in line. By continuing on this course, as in the past, he believed Port Levy rock would have been cleared.

Soon afterwards, Gable, the junior engineer, offered him a cup of tea, and took over the wheel while he went to his cabin to wash, change, and make up consignment sheets. He told him to steer for the Godley head light.

About 20 minutes later Gable called that Adderley Head was signalling and Captain Mouncer signalled the Cowan’s name. Two minutes later Gable called: “What is this ahead?” Captain Mouncer said he jumped out immediately and saw rocks on the starboard bow. He put the wheel hard to port and rang full astern; but before he got a response the Cowan struck a glancing blow on Port Levy rock, struck again, and water began to come in quickly. He tried to beach the vessel in Starvation Bay. The vessel went astern and then forward as planned, but foundered before shfe reached the beach. Captain Mouncer went down with the ship, but Was picked up by the lifeboat. The night was very dark, the tide dead low, and there was a slight southerly' blowing. Harbour Lights tn View

“1 can only say that as the harbour lights would be in view Mr Gable must have unconsciously turned the ship toward them,” said Captain Mouncer, when asked by Mr Brown to account for the mishap. George Rupert Gable, junior engineer, said 'he had three years’ experience on launches at Kaikoura. on yachts, and 10 months on the Cowan. “I am sure that while I was at the wheel I kept the bow pointed for Godley head light,” he said. Huia Ffylmer John Coppen, senior engineer, described how, after the vessel struck, the engine room flooded and the fires and lights went out. The engine responded perfectly and continued to function under water after the Cowan sank. William Henry Willman who was m charge of fishing operations, said he came on deck just before the vessel struck, and from the position of the Godley head and whistling buoy lights realised the Cowan must be close inshore. He thought Fort Levy rocks must have been passed. Donald Steele Wood said that when he signalled from Adderley head the Cowan seemed close inshore. To the Court, Mouncer said the Cowan must have been close inshore when he signalled Adderley head; but he did not verify his position then.