PENGUIN INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 439, 23 February 1909, Page 8

PENGUIN INQUIRY.

THE CAPTAirf S EVIDENCE. ATTRIBUTES WRECK TO ABNORMAL ' "SET IN"OF TIDE. ■■ i • NAVICATION OF COOK SI RAIT. Tho inquiry into the wreck of the Union Company's 'steamer Penguin on' or, near Tom's Rock, Terawhiti, was resumed at the Magistrate's Court jestorday morning, before Dr. M*Arthttr, S-M. (President), and Captain , Chas. M'Arthur, of Wellington, and Captain William J. Reed, of Auckland. Mr. Myers~appeared for the Marine Department, and had associated with him Cap-' tain Smith as nautical advisor; Mr. A. L. Herdman' appoared for Captain F. E. Naylor, late master of the Penguin, and Mr. ' W. W. Luke, -late second engineer of the j Penguin; and Mr. Levi for the Union Steam , Bhip Company. ' I PENCUIN'S CAPTAIN EXAMINED. ! Francis Ed. Naylor, master marinor, dei posed that,he was master of tho Penguin at time of 'the wreck on 12th instant. The official number of tho ship was 47,849, she was of 517 tons register, and owned by the "Onion Company. She was "schooner rigged. He had been, in the sorvico' of the Union Company for eleven years, and had been on the Wellington-Picton -run as an officer for eleven jears: and -as' master since December. Ho had been acting as a master in tho Union Company's service about nine jnonths altogether. ■ Ho was'appointed master in October last, and was given charge of the Penguin on December 14.-'Left tho Penguin on tho 9th. instant, and rejoined her on'the' '11th. v on tho tnp.on which the wreck occurred, left Picton at'6.3o p.m. Passed the ' heads at Tory Channel about ten minutes to 8 pm, . ' ..*• /' ' I The .Weather.' On the way down.'fhe channel there wero ,Bome slight showers—otherwise the weather was cloudy.. Tho average normal speed of tho Penguin was 12J knojts. On coming out of Tory Channel;thoro was very little sea,, weather overcast and cloudy; wind southeast by south on comjng otalj of; Tory Chan-i nel; not expecting much sea," had ono man at tho wheel —Carroll—and shortly after ho waß relieved by 'a seaman who was drowned. The tide at Tory Channel ran ' rapidly: and in tho Strait at'a speed of about three knots.

Course Shaped from Tory Channel. On leaving Tory Channel 1 the" steamer (pent S.E. by E. at ton minutes to 8. At 8 o'clock eho was opening Tory Channel to the southward. If the beacons were kept in line, it would bring a vessel three miles outside Tom's Bock. At ten past , 8 went S.E. by E. again, Btood T>n that course until 20 minutes to ten. The vessel at that time had steamed 22 miles. It was 17} miles from tho Heads to Tom's Bock. At ten minutes to 10, according to his own reckoning, he bad gone 18 miles, and ought to havo been just past Tom's Eock. Rain and Squalls. ' ; In tho meantime there had been a shower, and at 9 o'clock it came on to rain heavily, and it continued, to' rain—passing squalls— until 10. Hβ remained'on deck the whole timo. Ttie sea'increased Very little until tho vessel got into "She Eip." It was clear enough at ten o'clock to see 3 or i miles to sea, but he could not see anything to the northward. At from'9.ls to 9.30 it looked dark to tho, northward. At 20 minutes to ten altered tho course to E. by S.' Took no soundings. 'Saw tho Brothers light' until abouu 8.30. Did not tako any hearings, but it would not alter the position a great deal. Mr. Myers: How do you know that? > Witness:, From the angle I was steaming and the t beanng i of : tho Brothers light—;it Vα jubt, a sharp" angle. From that' time on'l could not see ahead, as it waa Taming. 1 ' TheTido. I expected slack water practioally right across the channel. But when I came through tho Heads at Tory Channel tho tide was lunning in on the southern , and out at tho nortliorn sido, bo .1 came to the conclusion' that the tide had not fin,mhed ebbing down the Sound. ' On leaving the Heads I came to the conclusion that 1 was on a good safe course, and iient full,speed ahead until ten o'clock. I did not necessary to take bearings from tho Brothers light.. Would jou havo been able, if yon had,deeired it, to take proper bearings on tho Brothers light at 8 30? Witness. If I had run tho ship off her proper course by a few points. Could you give the Court an accurate idea of your position at tho time you lost the Brothers light? Witness: No. >- 'Pencarrow Light. When did you expect to open out Pencarrow?^ Witness: I should havo had Pencarrow light opened out at about 9.15 on tho course I was steering.

Had'jou opened it out? Witness: No, because there were heavy > rain squalls, and it is a common thing for Pencarrow to be shut out by rain squalls. Did that apply to the lower bght? Witness: You can't see the lower light until jou are 4 miles off.

?;:;. Kletween^hefsqualls?.'''-;;;;'';. , , 1 /jv' .•:;/■;" S/.iWitness:^Y.esi.iand:l;looked;'for■it;:!A,i'';"; -,i ;•/;■•/Where/"did; yoii: tliink/ypur/yesseX'waa-atr. ■r~r; : - .Witness,:: , .!. reckphed -■ T' was- itobyfar/but-to: J/SAt"26,io y ;lo^vhat'didiyou^.do l><ff'~H: • ■■>:{ r / > -•":;",;•: jWitnessi(■Jvaltered.itlie!course- Bi/bV S;,. -•;Bhd:ran;hor pn.;fpr- 20;.minptesjrwhich , should Arhave'.been/puti'past-Sinqlaif Head; v ;Sv ; :'?;;: ?••■■, yjW.h.enyd.iq; the-pbss.ibility!' first :occur.'to v you; ■*,;^that ; you'vwere;too/-far/in? ■-'-'■!■■ v-';;??*:, ; - ~: y ■ } ■'■■ <: - fitness :-;;It /never--occurred i.-to"j me/at-Ml;: j/.'becduse'Jl.'ihad Xtaken/aHafe/'-course;l : -:;Vi ;V:'!i:!s/ v A.t:2pMinutes^i;tt.;:where / did,-you ;; ;'>/you- ; werA?; Vfii-^)y:i A^&i^t^vS-: , - 'tv-'-S;.& ;; : i; :was;:pait'v Tom's : : ;Rpct,';:and :a'rgod'd;threV:niile>vbfri<; 'I allowed > ; ;a i pi3int'and/; : a;-half;:for;;driffe\ t At>a : 'quartM ;/: fo. 10.;Il/rang:"Ste^ -t,BeeV anything: , 'ihshpre:I';'-'-;.;;1 ';'-'-;.;; ;;.:■«;'.>?■<.!: '••■''.■ p '•&':' ■': -i' -■ ;y:.ijYou-;had only^^-/ypurjiidginent'to"guide yoii- ■:- ; ypU;^rere?:VT'.:',V- , ''-'/f/v/' : ;- : '^;- f V'' ■".■.; :;;-> ; ;^Witriefis:":Ycs. :^V'.i;: ' ;^fc^i::;y:\-;-''4: ' : ''' :?; ' ! 'V-'' 'C./'vDid , soundings V.s r - ;. ;:, : -fitness V- ; : P'VTOujd;;ha.ye ' fiad : to■.'■ fftpp; '■•;■ :tne :sKip : ; vthaf- ■:. '■'■-. reconsidered';l; would f ,,,; ;danger ; P : ■;;. '-.. 'Dpn't^ iyov. ':. : tMnt; yoii['"Bhould-.hayeVßloTved. /::; your;sbip? -r-; ;//;-;; ; had /.slowed' 'ivßhpu]d>'bave: foriitroubley :- iitecausi./that: , is'.the: wortti parted £■/,.' : .don't-'you. think havei beentbput : , the:/'■;ship out:tp ; sea?.■' i- : ' ;^a -^ ; i,j : .»^, .-.•.;.-;,;.-/;■:■;. : /:/; y;^itness;:vr ; took. rtrthttt<l : Wai'Eafe,>and:l: should safe .cbhdi-- ■% .tiohs.;;lX did/hot consider ,1- was taking-: any. Wv^r-isk—no ; 'risk : -whatever.V;;:- :"-;;:v/ ,/■• :■■■

But you not know whore you were Don't you think it was wrong to go .on your course when'you had, a safe courso open to yon by going to Boa? Witness: In taking a ship anywhere at sea at'iight you have to rely on your judg-' went, in addition to taking a safe course. The Vessel Strikes. ; At. what time didyou strike the rockf Witness: At'two'minutes''past "10. The man Gale was at the wheol.' He was just being relieved by another sailor, and I kept tl'Oin both at the wheel. The other sailor is lost. What were yoirdoing at that 't-imo? Witness: I was putting the ship's head out to sea.' , Why were j*n doing that?,

..Witness: Because I thought she bad further: than I allowed: her,, and I deter>'mined.'to ;''stand oiit:to sea.' , , ■;.; : , ,'At ; whafc'timo>bould ,: ybu have expected to' see'lsland ;Bay.:lights?■'.'.: : . .■Witness:. At about 10' o'clock—that is, I ought to.have,Been'.the-ligHts between the showers. '• :■■■■-■■- v-.-* -.••'■'" ■ ■' : . ... Are-you pretty certain'it was Tom's Rock 'you: struck?- ■_■.;■ ■;•■_■ : ■■' .■•.■'■".■■"■'■."■■ !■•■ .'/Witness: Yes.',. " ■'.; . '... . . ' : '.'. ■>[Wi-ttess then pldtted on a chart the places at 'which-he' thought the_sKip was'.at the different-times mentioned.in his evidence.]. "Witness (continuing) ': I never before experienced such;a ■")set" or current as I' experienced !that-night; '".'.■"'. :'-.. ,'/,-'.":'."'■ : ■Mγ. .Myers: :Have you' heard ,of the tide :'bejiig inucli more' : rapid ihan is marked on chart? '/■:'■ : '•■"',:. '-. . ■".'; ''■ .'■"':, Witness :'.Ncj. -'Thechart gives it : as l'in ! 3ivand;l,do:n6t;thinkitcan be. much more .rap'id.than that.' ■ '~:-../ '; :.'• ■■-'.■', ■.y^).": After Striking. )-y" ;:,.".Wli'(in. the'vessel struck wiat'did you do? " ■". Witnessi"l"sent',tlie chief .steward down to see : .that"all .the passengers were provided' \yith ilifebelts. ':I.:Eaid I did not;think there ■ was any : :.'dangor. -I had.'.aU. hands.;. called. .Ordered>o'ckets to.'be fired.'Told, the chief officer to' Bound the', ship, and the second offi:.cer:'to Bee that.the boats wereready. to 'swing, out.. ■.When I found that the water- was- mak--ing-on ;the pumps,-I ordered theiwomen and '.ohildren'.tq'.bej.put ] into jhe port, lifeboats. The boats, were then%loweretl.. Ordered, the ;me^4n; the>boats,'to'.take them .well but to ; .sca',- ■ and 'round. '.Terawhiti ~ into - smooth ,water; "Also'steered; the steamer, out so as to be.clear 'of Terawiitij.and to be infsmoother water.;... Witnes- then described';the' lowering: of the .boats.' -The. second engineer was in-' charge-:of No.-.1, arid the' second' mate, in chargej'of t Nd'.' 5. The, bo'atsand gear. ..werein .good 'order.;"; Tfie : ks't.boatdrill, was: at; •Eicton"bn. v: January 13J; "Had only two. boat-, drills since\he ■had been master. ".',■■/ -.-■ f

(■■■ Witness''(continuing) r An accident occurred 'in: connection; with, the .'lowering of .boat .No. : 4; : ,. : _The" chief; officer : , was in '.charge of .; the lowering',of the boats'. :V'l was oh. the. bridge. Eyery;man;has.'his place.in the boats. : ,Tne '"crew -.'was sufficiently" numerous *to' : man: the ''boats. l '. i Tie I ,crew,who got ashore on the -rafts, -were'those-who;;liad given- :np their- places in ■th'e : b6ais : .-to,bthers.-The steamer;carried two and saved'a numberiof;Jiy;eSi : : .The irafts were certified to barry : ;22 :pe'rsoris.; each. "On-this'occasion. I allowed;a'.,gqpd.;bit more-'.than usual : for, the. the., wayiacross'rthe Strait.:.'lt" .was, my;) Usual (Custom 1 rto:itake my 'bearing from, .on this,occasion ;:th|3.,'light i :shut'. out ;by :raini ; . ; : 1-.conßidered .1 was> in , perfectly safe water; with; the ."vessel- ...when -1 . began to ■'stand/out and she stfuck.i;'.', ~.;., ''■.-: / :>" ; .To'-Captain Smith': The.pqmpasses were adiiusted:.on;September.;29. J=-;.: .-.•.;.-■•■',■ ■ ,'f. ■. ; s ; ;,■Mr.:Hertin)an's Examlnatloni. ; f r To Mr;; Herdman': I'had' the loa- outVcom:ing' across ; 'the' Strait'.V Before altering my ; , course V l.;sent'the;third; mate to see what ii, ■ registered: ;';i was;ph;!the bridge, all the time■ coming '£ "the;; for. ■ five Tory Channel—when"! 'jras,on-.the.-bridge'when.,the, ship, went" down, aptl.-.wa'S; wasfledfashqre..: To make.assurance ;doubly .sure'l'steered' a mpresputberlv course than'-usual—viz'.,',S.E;.'by,'E. : : The ■.camel on ;thick;as' I '-came'.: towards' the Tera:.whiti;;side'"'df the' Strait; "'•/ f . ' ,■ '1 -' v '

wnitir.siae'or .tne strait;..-:;,. ; ,; ,v:i v :.'Haa;'any/systematit "survey been made'■'of ,Cobk-Str l a,it'rsince 1849.";^v... Vr- .;. ■--■.-'; '■■ :t : -.Nb^-except'' ; as 'Bhown 'on , 'the- ■;;:': > ,;i : ';v;.;'.';:''V; ;■';';:;■:;. : .■;■;■;-■>;. -: ./You -haye 'had-ja'Sgreat' deal of. experience in s ; .the': Wellington-Picton - ;tra Jβ—chiefly : as rmatePH I '-'- , ; : ':--:,::..' : ■ : ; , '■::,.;-■';■ :i ;,.:■; :S;.Witnessi^ye'sj:^^:'^';' ; .'}>:;.:■■;>.„'> ,' ; '? /■' i';^;:-^:p-';Extraor'dlnary':vSßt.' ,; ;.'; : - : ::;,';-;':;; ■' v'Havelyouiever:before..known such aV'sot' , as 1J night?^;' ;'; ; '-.:; ■'■.'■•.••■■ :;■;Witness:-:l:.have ; never; out'of : ;my:'eourse.slik v evon...that night, dt'is'a comStrait", to-'.b'e" a. couple of :„ milea'f "out" -at ;'the ' end' , of, the ;jdurney.-; : .-;.>;::!;:_-/;: ■■:/;,'.)..".; -\-:' : ,'.•':'"-■' -V. - ■■:■'■'■'

■";Sdu: were'"out , ?, a-great;deal more. than that?.. -.',;■..- >■■_ '.' ijTn ■'■ pSrvjf) i! '■ '!>.:■•■ "'•'■ '.■'■"''■■ V- ■; , Witness':.;yes;'the , lights at Tory Gbaniiel coming- on'the -course,l : did, \ were -a .much navigating .the' ship ■than..- would' ; ha"ve-'.been the bearings' of ,thevßrothers; light; ?;i After :losirig : the;Toi;y Channel.,Ughts'-noriights.-'-were''visible, ; but it tis ::a",bdmmon thing-', to -lose all lights iii crossing,(the:;'. Strait. •■ If, you - were to :put' .put;tp.'isea/in:every.case , of some:uncertainty; thatyou-would bealwavs-jut-ting out to;;sea. pOn the way acroßS'.l said ; to inevsecond,' engineer :,that-, I expected to-;reach;.the-Heads,at Wellington-,at ; arquarter .fe.eleyen;;.'.He,replied'that that was later than usual, ,a.nd; I'said:. -Tfes, I -am taking;a good /outside .course ;to'-ni2ht,-" ■-. ' 1 .'never - beforo : st^eredasuch-a-wide-outside/course;"'r ThV strongest;,flobd. tide is : ahvays in--the! Terawhiti. side'; i^lf:i l-.had' stopped the'.ship, or slowed, jdowii , ; I -should..;.have- been courting' danger/. Good/discipline was" maintained, except by,--,two,passengers;and. .one of-.the crew : at J }To;;.3:;boat.;:/! ; drifted ashore; on.'top-.of an/.uptiinied boat.,-';I. assist-ed in' supporting a-man , on tho' Upturned boat. /The man had •lost;' one : of/; .hie: ,"hands.-',,: To • have takensouh^ings;.l:/would have/had..practically.' to stop: the ship, ./and she ,y/ould have- drifted- ■ a^? ut -'7i I ;t n inkjvI v did. everything' a reasonable',; man. cbniol hayei. done : : to,.secure'o the :safety of myp'aSser.gerSian'd. crew after' the ship struck.,;. I,'i.think 'the. course I set' the 1 ship ,was,;an.exceptionally, safe .one.. ■■'■.. /

: /.'/;'' u :/Cause|/of. ; Accident."*'./ .:^.i . -Am.l.to understarid'that in your.opinion •the ■'' cause, of s the; accident was simply and solely/.the" abnormal "flow of-the tide' thrbuah Cook'.Strait;thaii;night?;: :.:■ :•:;,/. ■,-.. ■~' • :J : ;.Wit'hess.f.■■Ye < s.-i!-': :,; .■•:'•■'■•■.■-V: v ,, ;'■■■'.■.■.■: ■■'„:.■■ j^'Tp.ilrtLeyi: -iA;-two-knot tide,-in: taking' isoundings, would'haye-.carried .the lead away•" rmistihave; be"en"sbmethin£ like a -four,or.five-knot;/'tide...''There Ws enough' ■Doat : and'-raft, iiccbjnmodation to- meet ;requiremeji,ts,,;and.'' eyerjthing;-. was : in-good ■.•flrder.-..-:" , :,--;.-.',-;. •;[■:,•';•;,:; \:'j:rS;, : ;- ;. r ,:;-.-■;. :.-, ; .->, /.jTo;Mr,,..;Myers':% I;understand : lings. can, bo .-taken at -full; speed with patent spunding apparatus.; ■ -.'■! : ; . ; .. : ■■. , :,,./:■./::' :■: So'me,of.the .."Union boats ,have patent. sound-:'jng-"-;epjaaratns.;':;'butivery;-'fewvof:^the, boats-I have haß.to.3o;With.'. ! Tbe,circumstarices were in ascertaining;;my;:poeition;:. .iuA'-. ■;../: ;'/;'/: 1 depend on your, judgment' ,m /crossing.;tho./S.ttait,;.-were you right in .goingson, : ..when;you:did.not know, where:you ;Were?;./;';-;,; .• .v-.- 7 -,:':.,'■.;..;; ; ~ /'•"'Witness:, Yes;/;.when/ you are •on a ; safe ,oourse.;:!;i;;//;>■ :: : i;t'■■'■"'■'' •■■ ■'■;■•.. - /: ■ : - •■;., ;.- But';my;.point r is f }this: that you-wore not '^''alsßfe/course.'---^-: , :.; , ):' , , , ;''-:^'... , . , -.;.'. , :■";••. ', :■■:.! ;j.'Witness normal "conditions I was on a'perfectly safe/cburse. .-'*, : ,-'..■. '.- . ', /"Are/we.toiu'nderstand'ith'atit is thoprac;tice; Cobk'JStrait/ for masters' to go on , their course 'under those , conditions/ .when you;;lose:all.lights 1 ? , : : / : ;/ '- ;., - >:■ ■■;.-■'■•■ '■';,Witness:/W,;lieca\ise'aH : jn : Bßters-inalte'' , al-.' lowance'.to be''pti ! the'safe Bide and continue' /<auj::!V'r-!'-.>;;';;;:^';;.:-^v'■■■•■■' ■• ; .; : : '.'•■•'• ■■■'■■• \>-;,' ; -.v ;-':.Mr.;;Myer3:,l'sball ask the Court to make a; general, recommendation in respect to this 'point.-;/,;:.;:f- ■~;':;; . - ;V! . ' :•'■ . ;- ; ; -:.;/'; •;, To-, witness:; Does ribt'what. you , say mean/ .■■■ ; ; .-, .'.-. Witness-: It'is 5n "all-places under such, cir--cumstances at /night-time, a '■ matter: of working, on' your reckoning. ,;-"-:v ; . ;■; ...'■;'/■■ ;:;lj Company's/instructions, y ;

.vMr.rMyers^judted':.front the Union Coin- 1 'pahyViristruotiong to-officers, which provided that ;in foggy weather when a steamer; was coasting the lead must be used'and soundings taken,, ithe : .vessel's •' head turned to sea,';and ■' her:progress stopped until her. position'is as-' 'certainod.'.':^■.'.■]'-''-V :^.', : ; -'i'-V. ' .'■■.■■•■-,■'■ ■.:■ ■; Mr. ; Herdmaa-.objected to,_these : regulations, being; introduced in this case.. They iwere 1 simply., instructions -to. liit's'-'officers, , ';.' , '.■'.!'•?':■■•.■..!:•:■'.';:;-■■■ V ■;■;■,•'.■■ ■■'..■■..■■■,' '■"•'.■ Mr; Myers: Wβ are here to ', ascertain cer-, tain. 1 things; -I .am' ; . hep-in tbo interests' of •■.tHeVpubHo':"'''''-' , '' , '''".."-''- 1 ---'"'^- , ' ■.:,."■■'■.."• ■">„: "':.; : "Mr. H«rdman: Yes, everybody, understands •th'ativ;."-^^-^-;^;-.-- , • " ■' :■ f -' ■■'■:. '■■■ Air. flyers:'. Very, well,- the public-interest .involves'two" things.' ;V Firs|;:ofalli;tho safety' of; tho ..public at: "secondly, 'tvo are also j here: to ascertain ; the 'cause of •' this .Vreck—whether - it could 'have been avoided; . And,' surely,.:not only I aml justified in doing this, !&it it is my 'duty:;if there have, been say there have been—ofthe regulations which . the. company, itself issues. ■''And ; { l" have ; asked for them—they

have not been handed to me. Those are regulations which the company issues for the safety, of. .thosp travelling on its ships/ -And surely it is my duty to show that. \ Dr. -M , Arthur, S.M.: I quite' agree with you. I consider that it would be a neglect, of duty if these regulations, were there'and' were not produced. . Mr. Myers (resuming his re-examination of Captain Naylor): You -were in the neighbourhood of land?.. •.; ■ , ." :■,- .. .Witness: Yes. j . . :.-' And the lead was not used to take soundings? -.' / .■.•'•■■■.. .■■'•:■. .-..•■ -.: '■■ ;AVitness: No... p . : . . Under your regulations, was' it ; not your duty at a quartor past nine, or soon after, to sound with the lead? '• ; '< :'■ .-Witness:.l. do not consider so. ■ I do not think it was necessary in view of the course I hail .taken'. There are certain rulea (although to be kept as close ft) as possible)' which- must ■sometimes' be waived, otherwise the master; would not be able to leave the bridge for sometimes two or three days together. .■'■■■- ,\ "" . . To Mr." Herdman: It was the duty of the chief officer tosee to the boats.- _ I told him to put the women and children in the first boats. I considered from the course. I was steering when I last saw the Brothers light, 'that.l was on a perfectly safe: course.. The course I steered was a safer course than I ever steered before. Taking soundings would not have helped "ine near Tom's Rock, .because -there are, 27- fathoms .there, and there is a similar depth"of'water near Pencarrow,- and- also near' Baring Head.' Therefore sounding would have; been no good to ■me. I felt'confident of the- '-course/I- had taken, and tnatl would-pick up Pencarrow •light' between- the- drifts :in "the clouds 'and' •the.squalls that were coming up.' ;I repeat .that it":- w,as : ,the 'abnormal flow of the tide that put me' where I was.. I. adopted every, safe and reasonable precaution'such as is taken by: masters in coming ~across the Strait. .." . ■;'. '.. .■■■ ::: -"'■■■■ -.■■." .-,'.

■ : Questions by the Court. .. i Dr. M'Arthur: You said, you sent ] sonio one. down to itbe : ehgiiwooni'; was" there any means; of .communication between the bridge. and : engine-room ? . ; '~ - ■ ' Witness: No—hot on the. Penguin. ' -When you struck, where" .did you think you were?' //' ■•■>■"■■■■.'■".■-;•'••■"••■ ■' ~■.".'"-. .- ' /..Witness': ; I ■ reckoned Iwas: past Sinclair Head—a-gopd three or. four .'.miles off—and about 6 0r.,7 miles from Peribarrow, ligh'tl , '" Wh'at" would , have been.the result to.you. personally., if you had. stood, out.to -sea. or slowed down,' and thus been late in arriving at Wellington—would there have been any personal consequence'to you? : ■■'" . .- : ■.."Witness:. No. .■:•■ ■" '-"'■'■'-' '"..■"/'.'' :: '■'■''■■' ..' '.'. ■''.■■'You' say : 'yoir never' before steered so wide a/course—why did you think :it necessary, to*: take '.''. an unusually..wide course'on thie .occasion ?'■'•■'•■■'■ ;' : 'f; . "'■' .•■ V . ■'},/■;<■' ,/• ".■ :. •"•Witness: I "received information. from-, i , collier , at 'Tory Channel that'the sea , , was .too heavy ior; him, .and "I- ■ 'decided,- there-; fore,,to , steer a wider- courso.than usual..; ; .... '.Yon'consider that the cause of.'.the .wreck was a /very,; much-stronger :"set- in" t£ari ;usual?.' ; ;v- ■" v- .v y;-:'':■,': '■ '■'. . ■ ■!'. ■ Witness:. There is -no doubt, : about that;.' '■'. ■ Immediately round. Tom's .Rock there. are soundings of 14, 23, ami 27.fathoms; ' Don-t you, , tlrink/the; soundings there have been of use to ; you as ,to the position you were, in when you iurned"ljer head round to sea?/ ■■■•■•'.•':. ■!-...-.; ;/. .-' ■■■ y■. ...... ,-. ;, .-. '■ : Witness: v.Noj IYdori'tythink>o.'.'• ■■'..■'■ J : Dr. ■ M'Arthur said he could not reconcile the; time,; the speed "of the, vessel/ and .the position she- was in.,,! There was >a lot,of,' ''overrun" to: be/accounted'/for. ;' ; : ;.I: ' , :' V CAPTAIN. FISK'S EVIDENCE;''.; V \-Captain-Ai.H.Fisk; master-.flf-the Aorere, said that , on the evening of the, 12th he left .Wellington,for :Picton about 7.15 p.m., but on- reaching'-, the -Heads: found', there was •■too. muph. wind apd sea,- and returned to port; in Wellington from Patea on the night , of '.'the ;llthYY Experienced .a very strong tide—-stronger;-than usual.' Expected something "like ..that .strength ■ of tide.; ..was three: hours steaming from- Tom's' Rock, to: i Sinclair: Head. ;'>, The-tide was i running 'at; about J5Jr knots.;. it, was; a -''making springs: tide.';' ':-The, 7 .sti:engJh ;of .tho,. current, there, was known, to'thdse officers''-.who had, workedTerawhiti ,for four or tive'jears. . vThou'ght there ■ was,- a, strong current at.- the time.; of the wreck, of the.Nambucca .on Tom's Rock. \.To Mr..'Herdma'n: His. vesseC.the.Aprere, ■was a .small' one of -49.. tons, "and he' worked close in; to the'.shore.; A larger; boat like: the Penguin' would, take a wider.' and..'quite, dif- ■ ferent; Eighteen months,, ago ■■ he, was hours' '-, frohi Join's -Rockto Sinclair, Head, '< and he, was keeping close in'ishore.: : A-' -vessel further :out .would feel vthe.tide.on.her. beam,.and there would probably, be. a.strong, tide there; also. ■"-.'-.;

;; ENGINEER. J ■::,'Wi]liam:.Webb. Luke,.late.second engineer of'the. Penguin,-deposed that he held a firstclass marine; .'certificate., ■', .He was . in; the engine-room from a few minutes to 8 p.m. ■ tilli; the , . ship struck at a %,. minutes : past 10 o',clock;.by ;the ; .engine-room; clock. : At a quarter- to/,10. received the', telegraph order ■•"stand-by..??■'• .Then, .when■•she struck, ■ received . orders■ "full .speed," "half, speed," and-"slow." . Felt the vessel strike.' There was. a "tearing".,;sound , i when: the vessel struck,. ;the chief, engineer took charge. .The pumps of. the forehold were sounded, and it was■; found that she was mak'ing' water wry fa,st. '•. She' ;was,'.. also making' water [last. aft.■-■• 'Told: the chief engineer of this. 'Hβ took,me" (continued witness) "by the hand and .and. then said; ; bo-' , , and; te|l... the ..master she ■'. is ; sinking fast." Did\so, and. was instructed by Cap-' tain Naylor.; to;.:get-: to my. boat. .. Witness then -described the lowering.;of the boat: in which lie , was : placed, in charge. .She was swamped by.a : huge sea., .Witness hung on to the : upturned :boat. until' .she struck a rook on •the; beach.'.- He.then'left her- and swain .ashore.- '../ . \>, :';:■■' ;. :; .V . ; '■■ '

■ To Mr,.:Herdman: :By the engines, '.the ship was .doing-a.good 14 knots, but could not:say, what..sh'e was doing ..in the. water. .\Vhen ; -' he: ; :reached., the: deck everyone -was .orderly >: and ,obeying.; orders. .. The engines did not v'race": , ,on. that night.: Was familiar. with.;the handling "of a surf-boat. Was formerly; oh the'liahu,' and had much experience in going/ashore; in ships' boats. ■>-.-

-y-.-.,/ ; : /: : -:;;A ; HlREMAN.v ; ,/ :;-'.' -);■':. ./;Walter Maiden,; sailing under the name of William'; Pierie, ,:late- a.* fireman on the Penguin,, deposed that he was 'on duty in the; stokehold on-the-night-: of-the wreck 1 ;He gave evidence,:as .to , the striking of the sh.ip v and the' lannching of the boats, after providing.the women and children with/lifebelts., .-.: Tyrtriess got ashore on a raft. : ' •■■' /To Mr. Herdman: The- chief officer'attended to.the'filling of the boats. .There was;perfect'order on • deck. .' •:..'■■''. :.To; the Court:..! think wo 'were three hours on-the raft before wo got. ashore. : 1..; The Court then/adjourned till 10 o'clock this morning. . : '■--.. ■ ~... . ~- ■: . PRESS/REPORTS OF THE DISASTER. ■<:-M: ANGLICAN : ;:. ; : t . .OPINION.;/ yy. . ?. : -" ;r. IDT. TILSOBAPH.— srBCTAr. COERESPONDENT.j ' :-'■"' : ; ; ~A : Hastings,; February 22.". ;;In. the course of. an .eloquent sermon in the /Anglican ' Church yesterday, .the-Rev. Mr. Hobbs paid: a, high tribute to the press .in regard; to; the. toneyof 'their reports of the -(vhole , distressing circumstances in connection witlijthe wreck of flie. ill-fated Penguinj. atii'-' the : attendant loss ..of. life.. He admired: thoir. graphic. . and , sympathetic descriptions, which placed the., sad: catastrophe 'vividly before- their readers; whilst , avoiding-.morbid, ; details calculated- to' satisfy tho. vitiated cravings of the : lower ■elements of; the . community. Hβ also- deplored the fact that a,large section' of ; the.- public should view the impressive obsequies of the unfortunate individuals drowned in the light of a groat, amusement, rather than as an act of; mourning- and respect to those who met their .death under , such lamentable circumstances. ,-!•'• :.,■.,.;•,' '.."/' ■■" ■ ;. ' .

ANOTHER BODY RECOVERED. : : Advice received the police, yesterday afternoon st'a'te'BJ that another body, had been recovered from the ' Penguin wreck. The body, which ; is. that of a man,, is at .present at the'.woolshed,.'and will be brought 'into town this morning; The only 'means"of; ideii"tifying the l body is stated to be a wire ring on one of the finjrere. ' - ; : •;■ : •/;

THE RELIEF FUND. Collected by, Mrs. H. J. Mayne, at' "Tho Mansions," Ghuznee Street, in aid of the Penguin relief fund:—C. Galway, 2s. 6d.; Miss Suisted, 25.; M.8.. 35.; H.M.C., 55.; E.J.W., 2s. 6d.; M. MU, 2s. 6d.; C.A.8., 2s. 6d.; A Friend, .35.; A.W., 2s. 6d.; M. Honor, 2s. 6(1.; E.G.; 35.; Result of raffle, 2 matinee tickets, 18s.; Mrs. Wilson, 25.; G.D.H., 3s. 9d.; A. O'S., 55.; 0. Wright, 55.; N.S., 2s. 6d.; H.J.M., 55.; A.M., 25.6 d.; V.P,, 2s. 6d.; E. 8., 2s. 6d.; X.Z., 25,, 6d.; L,H.,.25..6d.; Jacky, 6<L; F.L.A., 55.; E.A., Is.; N.G;T., 2s._6d.j J. Cox, 55.; E. Lowater, 2s. 6d.; A.8., 55.; J. Young, Is.; J. , Lambert, 10s.; D. Beamish, 25.; Miss Barry 25.; W. Salok, 25.; J.-'M. Dawson, 55.; L.H., 25..6 d.; total, £6 Bs. 3d. ~. The following donations ,'have been- received at The Dominion'office :— Y , ' ■•■-' \ '■ . . ■-■■■ - £ s. d. Amount already acknowledged ... 48 19 3} R-H. ■, ... :".. ...' ... 05 0 Sympathiser (Marion) .... ... 0 5 0 Nemo -, ... :.... =~.. ... l 0 0 From Sympathisers '...' ... 0 14.0 Collected: at • "The Mansions" -by ' . ' , - , ■-■ . Mrs. ;H. - J. Mayne, as per list published above ... ... 6a 3 ■; , -Total ... ;.'... ...57 11' 6J PULPIT REFERENCES.

"Some lessons from'the wreck of the s.s. Penguin" was the subject of Mr.' A,/ F.. lurner's address at 'the ' Church of Christ, Kiddiford Stret on Sunday, evening. Having referred to the calmness and courage which .'Were displayed by so, many. in connection jW.ith-the. disaster, the'preacher went on to discuss the why .and wherefore of such 'calamities That the .Almighty knew that tins wreck was going to occur, and that He, could have prevented it, Christians could not but-believe, tn-be true. AVhy/'.then, did 'He permit, it 'to take-place? To-some,ex-, tent the .solution, of such , a. problem , was enveloped in mystery. But there was one thing they could ( rest assured of, and. that was that it had 'been done in wisdom, ■ and '.was.meant to be for the good of those who were still living. , ;. Such ' disasters'.helped them to realise the brotherhood of humanity; and tended to bring out. feelings of tenderness and ; sympathy ' towards :'others' such.\'as'. could be .brought ■ out in- no other way. Then;, again, many j o the■ disasters which took' place, both -qn land and sea,, .were to: a large extent, ,if ,li6t altogether, the" result of-some neglect or violation, of' natural laws, arid were- God to invariably interpose iii such cases and prevent them occurring,' it would 'malie men careless and indifferent towards Him, and to their own welfare. .They see His "wisdom'in not doing, so, jin that itV led to ■'; the' making provision ' for prevention ,of: those calamities, which were the result of-such neglect or. violation. The .safety valve .of the >en--, gineVboiler, - the safety, lamp of the. miner, the signalling devices of "the railway,. and a thousand other. things, had been the ■ out-, come of great and sudden temporal misfortunes. . Possibly '."■■ this \' recent, catastrophe might . lead to the , erection at., Terawhiti of. a lighthouse, or: some warning, signal, which, would, be the means of saving thousands, of lives from - this, time., forth,'. for only God knew_ how often in the past vessels had been perilously near that, fatal spot, whilst those on.. board. had been altogether unconscious of the danger to which they .had been exposed. 1 Mr.: Turner then called attention to. some spiritual lessons' suggested' by. the. calamity, 'for sad as was ; ,the recent, wreck, -'there.-'are others which are sadder,.; IThere were vessels of flesh and blood whiqli had to. contend with stormier elements than the winds : . and waves, and/ because of this people; were sometimes..called..Upon to listen .to'. the■■ story of another and more pitiable 'wreck .than 'that. of', the ill-fated Penguin, and that was the' shipwreck of/a human soul.: The: address, concluded .with an urgent, appeal: to,".those;present to lay hold •of .the .eternal realities .whicli were offered 51 Gospel of Jesus, Christ, that thus preparation might', beraa.de which' would enable them to reach th 6' eternal harbour in safety.:.:.. ;,-; : .■..;■•■■';■:"■;,.; -~.!: ■ ■•"■..-.■.•..", ■jii'Alarge'congregationattended■the' Missions 'to Seamen; Church on Sunday .night, when,an; impressivo service was held in memory of, the passengers, officers and.crew.; who lost .their lives.: in : the ..-ivreck ;|of .the-•Penguin. The church was draped in,black,.a, large. "P" in eyorla_sting. flowers having.,a. prominent position,in front of the' lectern,, and a'white , floral anchor,, was suspended from the pul-. ■pit., .Special hymns were: sung'by',.the choir and:congregation,'-and. Mr. John Arouse sang, the -solo" :"Rock;of Ages,"; by Francis Burnett. 'The lessons, wore, read ,by Messrs.. J. W..Jack arid E. L..Burgees. The rnissioner (Mr. James Moore) preached an earnost ser-mon,-taking hisJxjxf from■•! Samuel '-xs. -18: "And thou shalt be missed, because thy seat shall be empty." He'said that- when, men were tempted in :an appalling:;disaster.- like this to. rebel against 'the apparent harshness and injustice; of God, they, as Christians, should trust where they cannot trace, and believe in. the unerring wifidom of the divine .'will and. love, of God. ! "Couldwe but;.se'e the.other side and look on those we.'tliink hare';died, what stars would fill'our night." He. went oil : to -say that we ought not .tbi condemn'what we coujd hot Understand, and it was wise,to 'remember if God suspended the laws of Nature , meet all cases, the world would be lininhabitable.; The'sins and Jollies of men, caused' more harm than all the visitations of/God in shipwrecks. Before the conclusion of the sermon he spoke of the splendid order, observed -and.-.tie , heroism snown by; the many on board in'the Hour of peril. .In;conclusion^.h'e expressed the sym- , pathy of. the.society with;the relatives of, those who' Were The oolleotion had for its object the.erection of a;brass memorial tablet to the memory of the departed. . Flowers were presented to , the inissioner, by Mrs. Craig and Miss Dixon on behalf; of. the workers of the mission, to be sent to .distant/relatives.'.'At the of the service the; Dead March in "Saul", was played by :Mr. Gardiner, the organist. •".'

A band" and, badge belonging to a . Union ,Company's third.officer's cap was handed to the Customs .authorities yesterday, having been picked'up on the.beach by a .visitor to lerawhiti on ' ,;. ..,' ~ ,;

■ The following motion was passed in'silence.; -all., present standing, at. a, .special.:generalmeotine. of-the; Wellington Tramways ■ Em'ployeee , . TJnion yesterday ,:—"The members have learned with regret of the unfortunate disaster that befell the s.s. Penguin on the , uight of the 12th instant,, and hereby tenderto the relatives of 4hoso that perished in the wreck pur,, deep, sympathy, and condolences in their sad. bereavement." '■ ~; , , 1 Advice received. from Oterangi : last night states ;.that.'several piecee of. clothing came ashore' yesterday! . The rin'g on the. latest body recovered is ; a 'gold wire ring of two strands, with three-'lovers', .knots oh- the front; :,.-.. ! - ■ ■■■■■.-■;■: : ' '-';•' '■' ■ ■ ■' - An. excursion ' to Day's Bay has been arranged for to-morrow by. tlie Tramways Band and employees' 'in. aid of those distressed through the Penguin disaster: The Day's Bay' grounds will be beautifully illuminated' for: the' .occasion. -Boats leave Ferry; Wharf at 7.45' p.m., and' Day's Bay at 9.45 p.m. .■ • .•• ' ■ ■