WRECK OF THE OMAKA

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 125, 19 February 1921, Page 5

WRECK OF THE OMAKA

NAUTICAL INQUIRY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COURT The nautical inquiry into the foundei ing of tljc auxiliary schooner Omaka, on Sunday morning, January 30, was concluded yesterday. The Court comprised Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., and Captains G. G. Smith and W. J. Kogers. Mr. J. Prendevillo appeared for the Marine Department; Mr. P. J. O’Regan for the relatives of the deceased J. T. Weekeo and 11. Stapleton; Mr. K. Kirkcaldie for the relatives of Captain G. E. 11. Purvis; Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell, for the relatives of William Marlow; Mr. H. E. Evans, for the owners of the vessel; Mr. F. J. B. Stevenson for ’he Wellington Harbour Board. Captain M'lndoe was present on behalf of the Marine Officers’ Guild, and Air. T. Young on behalf of the Seamen’s Union. ‘ Cathelius M'Pherson, master of the Baden Powell, said that on January 30 the weather was rough i t the Heads when his vessel entered. lie saw signals on both stations. From Seatoun Heights he read the. signal "boat capsized,” and replied, but got no answer. He kept a look-out, but saw nothing, and even had he seen anything he could’ not have turned round. Had he seen the men on the wreckage he would hnvo peen obliged to come past the black buoy before he could turn round. This concluded the evidence. Finding of the Court. The Court announced its finding as follows: —"That the auxiliary schooner Omaka was well found, properly manned, and seaworthy, the crew consisting of Purvis (master), Wcekes (engineer), Alarlow (cook), Watson, Stapleton, and Thomson (A.B’s). She left Blenheim for Wellington on January 29, the weather being then fine. Tn Cook Strait she. encountered a southerly gale, with a rough sea. When off Pencarrow light nt about 5 a.m. on January 30, for some reason, probably the heavy, confused sea striking her on the port quarter, she broached to and capsized, the master and crew, whose names are set out: above, being drowned.” Signalling Facilities Needed. The following was added as a rider to the finding:— "The Court wishes to point out to the Minister that the evidence showed that at the time of the wreck the flagstaff at Pencarrow was undergoing repair, and the signalman, was unable to give effective signals to two steamers which passed shortly after. It hopes that, in future, instructions will be given that no flagstaff lie removed without a temporary one being erected immediately. It further suggests and recommends that detonating bombs be placed at the lighthouses and’ signal stations, and kept in a readily-accessiblo place as a further means of attracting the attention of passing vessels. “From the evidence adduced we are of opinion that in this case, even, if the attention of the two passing ships had been attracted, the sea was too rough, and the wind too strong, to allow of them rendering any assistance. “It appears that had a boat been available on the Pencarrow side of the harbour one life at least might have been saved, and the Court trusts that some steps will be taken immediately to prevent the recurrence of such a sad fatality. The evidence showed us that two or three men were floating for about two hours within a short distance of the shore, and there were no means of rescue. The telephone to Eastbourne, where assistance might possibly have been obtained, was not even available.”