INQUIRY ENDED

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 120, 15 February 1932, Page 10

INQUIRY ENDED

Mishap to the Breeze VERDICT THIS WEEK Orders to Engine-room By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, February 13. " When the Inquiry into the mishap to the Breeze, which ran ashore at Port Robinson, between Lyttelton and Kaikoura, ,on the morning of December 18, was resumed to-day, Robert Gas .-ton, chief engineer of the Breeze, said that the engines were working efficiently, and until just before the stranding he received no signals from the - bridge. At 6.55 a.m. he received the signal “Full speed astern.” He executed the order, and almost immediately felt the vessel strike. A minute later he received the signal “Stop.” Other witnesses gave evidence that 'the weather was very foggy. John Norris, the able seaman who was at the wheel, said he could not. see land before the ship stranded. Captain McArthur, mas/er of the ■ Breeze, in reply to a question as to how he accounted for the stranding, said there must have been an unusual : set. At 7 a.m. the mate reported that the ship was. entering a thick bank 1 of fog, and simultaneously with wlt- ' ness’s arrival on the bridge the ves--7 sei struck. When he found there 'was no danger of the vessel sinking steps were taken to refloat her, and ■ she proceeded to Lyttelton. On the way up the coast he considered he had set a safe course. Mr. H. A. Young (the presiding magistrate) : What I cannot understand is why you did not go on the bridge when the whistle sounded. “I did not hear the whistle,” witness replied. “I must have been in a deep slumber, although it is hardly likely I would sleep through it.” The evidence regarding the presence of a set given in the Storm inquiry was accepted by the court. Counsel for the master briefly ad- ' dressed the court. This concluded - the inquiry. The court’s finding will "be announced on Monday or Tuesday.