THE WRECK OF THE KARU

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 155, 27 March 1926, Page 10

THE WRECK OF THE KARU

“BIT OF A LEAK” AT AUCKLAND STATE OF WHANGAPE BAR Bi Tblegbaph.—PbEss Association Auckland, March 26. The inquiry into the Karu wreck was continued to-day. . George Alex. Keith, chief officer, said he only felt one light bump while crossing the Whangape bar. lhe plate which Hie witness Halliday said he had pierced with a penknife was a new plate which had been fitted in prior to the vessel leaving AustrtKia for Auckland. , , Alfred Charles Dunkle/, . second officer t gave evidence similai to iVcit of other witnesses, touching the >xssel leaking and the abandoning of her. Air. ‘ Mays: Had the ship power enough to get over the Whangape bar without assistance? . Witness: I don’t know, but I think she had. She got over the Hokianga bar right enough. The State of the Bar. Walter Parker, master of the Ohinemuri, said that prior to towing the Karu out of Whangape he and Captain Richmond went down near the bar, but did not take soundings. Had Captain Richmond suggested it witness could have gone on the bar and taken soundings The bar was smooth, with a little loll,' and was fairly straight and not winding. Later, when taking the Karu over, he took soundings, which were satisfactory. The Ohinemun did not touch and he did not at the time hear anything of the Karu touching the bar. The Karu kept the same course at witness. ~ „ Mr. Mays: What was the Karu s draught ? T Witness: I don’t know. When 1 looked I saw ten feet showing, but she was then coaling. What was the lowest cast you got on the bar?—“Two fathoms.” . The Whangape bar is not one of tne most difficult bars?—“You want to kD Weli,' you got no signal from the Karu to stand by, and you put into Hokianga because from the falling glass you thought the weather would be too bad for you to get into Onehunga?— “Yes.” When you and Captain Richmond in the morning saw the bar, you agreed with him it was unnecessary to take soundings ?—“Yes.” . So that you did not consider there was any risk?—“No.” . And in your opinion was he justified in proceeding to sea? —“Yes.” ■ To the Court: So ■ far as he knew there were no rocks on the bar. A Leak at Auckland. Dennis Cochrane said he was an A.B. on the Karu when she was wrecked, but on the trip from Australia to Auckland and to Whangape he was an ordinary seamen. . Mr. Hubble: What did you do in the engine-room at Auckland ? Witness: Just chipped the |boiler and cleaned the engine. “Did yon put in any new plates?— “No.” Now, we want the truth. What did you do?—“I put a couple of bolts in the hull.” . Whv ?—“Because there was a bit ol a leak.” What did you actually’ do ?—“I a bit of plate in with a bolt in each side.” Did you hear .anything about the condition of the ship, either on the wav up to or at Whangape?—“No.” •Where were you crossing the bar?— “Asleep in my bunk. I was not on duty.” Did you feel a bump?—“No.” After further evidence had been heard the inquiry was adjourned.