THE ARAHURA COLLISION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3030, 17 March 1917, Page 2

THE ARAHURA COLLISION

■ '■ :-«: r-. ... . NAUTICAL INQUIRY STILL PROCEEDING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 16. _ At tlie nautical inquiry into the collision between the-Arahura and,'a Home liner, Arthur White, chief engineer of tho liner, cross-examined, said the propeller ,of the liner was 'right-handed,', but witness did not know in which direction it would throw the head of the.ship when going astern. The captain had not discussed the actual col"Jision with.him, although witness had 6ince learned from deck .officers that tho ship was slow in forging ahead. The liner was mora sluggish in answering tho engine than other vessels ho had sailed in. The engines had depreciated. It would take, with her engines going slow ahead, thrco minutes to.gather way. The injury to tho liner did not, in his opinion,, show that the vessel had way on. Had the liner been travelling at three or four knots .ho would think that the Arahura would have- been sunk.

Herbert James Koll, master of the 'Wimmora, said no ono on board actually saw the collision, though jinany of the crow hoard tho impact He saw the liner in tho course of tho.evoning showing ordinary anchor' lights. Ho did not'know of any rules, regulations, or custom as to a vessel giving notice to others when about to,go.out .at night. Alexander Carson, harbourmaster.and pilot at Gisbornc, stated that, tho position marked on tho chart by Captain Goddard as tho anchorago given him by witness on , arrival .--was. not tho anchorage given. Tho position of tho ■liner as marked by : Captain Dryden was moro correct.- The liner had ample room.to manoeuvre, and must havo been moving.slightly towards the Arahura at the time of tho collision.

..Reginald John Forster, fourth ■officer of tho Wimmora, said .he heard tho souud-of the impact. The. diner them, appeared to bo in,tho position occupied earlier in the .-evening.

Arthur Ghrigp,., master .mariner, _ residing at Gisborne, said ;lio examined the damage to the liner and-inspected: . the Arahura. at the instigation of the manager of. .the New Zealand Shipping Company. From the .nature o fibo. .damage he .was of opinion that'the liner'.had headway on .at; the .time of 4he collision. Ho could not estimate tho .angle at .which the vessels struck.

Tho inquiry , adjourned /until to.morrow.