NOT NEGLIGENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 18, 20 July 1907, Page 5

NOT NEGLIGENCE.

END OF WOOLLAHRA ENQUIRY. WORDS OF COMMENDATION. PLUCK. RECOGNISED. The Marine Court which yesterday afternoon enquired into the wreck of the barque Woollahra (as reported elsewhere) delivered its judgment -this morning. •The president (Dr. M'Arthur, S.M.) said the" court's answers to tho questions submitted wero as follows :—: — (1) The casualty was not caused or contributed by negligent navigation or by any other negligence, carelessness, "or default on the part of any person or persons on the ship. (2) The cause of the casualty was an error in judgment on the part of the master as to the position of the ship when the wind shifted at or about 10.30 p.m. The evidence showed that ho must have been at or about nine miles eastward of the position agreed upon between him and the mate. The master had evidently lfot allowed for the ebb tide, which began to run along Cape Tarawhiti about 10.20 p.m., and, allowing for this, the ship would necessarily be in the position in which she was found. The. court considered that the officers and members of the crew did aU that was possible after the .vessel struck. It would like to mention with commendation the action of the second mate, William Gough, who acted with presence of mind, and ovidently with the confidence of the master. It should also like to commend the young man Walter Fenton, an ordinary seaman, who stuck to the master to the last. Also A.B. Seaman Konig is to be congratulated on his pluck in looking for and trying to save A.B. M'Naughten. (3) Tho persons who lost their lives were the master (Morgan Andresen} and M'Naughten, A.B.