Strong Tide Caused Rangatira Stranding

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29099, 11 January 1960, Page 10

Strong Tide Caused Rangatira Stranding

(New Zeaiai a Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 10. An exceptionally strong flood tide caused the Union Steam Ship Company’s vessel, Rangatira, to run aground, the Minister of Marine (Mr Fox) announced yesterday. Mr Fox said a full preliminary inquiry showed the Rangatira’s master, Captain J. D. Crighton—“a most reliable and efficient officer” was not negligent. Mr Fox said he did not propose ordering a full court of inquiry, as the cause of the grounding had been sufficiently established. The 6152-ton Rangatira grounded near the entrance to Tory Channel early on Christmas Day. She was on her way from Wellington to Picton with 490 passengers. The passengers were taken to Picton by launch and the Rangatira was refloated the following day. “The inquiry revealed that, while there might have been an error of judgment by the master in estimating the strength of the flood tide, there was no negligence, and the actions taken by him throughout were those of a prudent master,” Mr Fox said. The inquiry also revealed there was no negligence by the engineer in charge, and all orders to the engine room had been carried out with “commendable promptness.” Because of the possible serious consequences of a casualty to a ship carrying so many passengers, the fullest possible investigations had been carried out. and he had studied the statements and reports “most carefully,” Mr Fox said. Master's Record The inquiry showed the Rangatira was a “well found, effici-ently-run vessel with a competent master and crew.” Mr Fox said Captain Crighton had been at sea 41 years, 30 of them with the Union Steam Ship Company, during which he had been in command for 11 years. “His record throughout had been excellent and this was the first occasion he has ever been involved in a casualty.” Describing events before the grounding, Mr Fox said the Rangatira was five miles from the entrance to Tory Channel on December 25 when Captain Crighton took command of the bridge at 1.30 a.m. “The weather was fine with a light southerly breeze and a smooth sea. It was a dark, overcast night, with low clouds over the hills. The vessel approached the entrance at a prudent speed having regard to the circumstances. “At 1.43 a.m. a course was steered on the line of the leading beacons. A strong flood tide

increased this speed of the vessel, and appropriate instructions were given to the engine room.” “As soon as Scraggy Point and Clay Point lights were observed to open clear of the land to port, the helm was put hard aport to swing the vessel round to head up the channel. This was normal and correct procedure. ‘‘Tight” Turn Mr Fox said the distance to turn the ship at right angles was less than half a mile, and for safety, this “very tight” turn needed to be completed in about a minute. “Normally this would have been accomplished without difficulty, but it appears that in this instance the flood tide was exceptionally strong, not only causing the vessel to take a wider turn, but also carrying her further towards the northern shore. “The master immediately acted correctly in his instructions to the engine room, and the vessel responded accordingly to prevent the stern swinging too close inshore. “Because of the dark night and heavy shadows, however, it was difficult to determine the edge of the land, and the vessel failed to clear the point, grounding at 1.51 a.m.” “As one who has had some experience at sea and has been associated with seafarers for so long, it was with a feeling of considerable satisfaction that I learnt of the response to the mishap. Tributes Paid “The emergency was most capably met by the Union Company and the Rangatira’s officers and crew, by the staff of the whaling station, the masters and crews of the tugs, the harbourmaster and launch owners at Picton, and by many others who made a lot of the passengers as comfortable as possible. “I would like to pay my tribute to all concerned in seeing to the safety of the vessel and her passengers,” said Mr Fox. At his home in Wellington, Captain Crighton said: “Naturally I am very pleased at the result of the inquiry. I felt I did everything I could in the circumstances.

“I had great help from all the officers and crew in the sticky position we found ourselves in.”