THE PERICLES WRECK

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 82, 8 April 1910, Page 7

THE PERICLES WRECK

an enquiry, """charges against officers. By Telegraph.— Pre»s Association.— Copyright. PERTH. 7th April. The Admiralty Couit has commenced an enquiry into the wreck of the Aber deen liner Periclen, 11,000 tons, which sank after htriking what is believed to be an uncharted rock. Counsel appeared for Captain Simpeon, also for 31 passengers, who had mndc charge* againpt the officrrs of neglecting third-clu*c pas-sengci^. Captain Simpson, in his evidence, stated that angles were taken at every point along the shoie. Ho had a new standaid compass, and it had very little deviation. The fchip was drawing 28ft, and when s-he (-truck was travelling at the j rate uf 13 knots an hour. It took twelve minute^ to stop her after she struck, anil bhe travelled a mile to a mile and a half. Ho was on the ufcual fine- weather course at tho time of the disaster. j The assistant-lighthouse keeper at Cape Leeuwin deposed that the Peridot was eight miles away when he first noticed that fihe appeared to be lying there, Hying two Hag*, but she was too far off for him to make out their meaning. She afterwards drifted in four miles. Her course was jus>t like other vessels coming in the same direction, and was not unusually close to the shore. She was outside the dangerous run. The third officer of the Piricles deposed that the usual course, six or teven miles off Cape Leeuwin was kept. SECOND OFFICER CALLED. ENQUIRY "ADJOURNED. (Received' April 8, 10 a.m.) i'ERTH, This Day. Tho fecond officer who wot on the bridgo with the captain when the vessel struck, said ho checked 1 the bearings. He had been round Cape Leeuwin thirteen times. On the occasion of the disaster the Pericle.- was no nearer land than she had been on any previous occasion. The enquiry was adjourned till Monday next. FLOATING CARGO. SIX HUNDRED BOXES OF BUTTER BEACHED. (Received April 8, 10 a.m.) PERTH, This Day. Large quantities of cargo are reported to be floating in the vicinity of the wreck of tht- l'ericle.<. Six hundred boxes ol luitter have been beached at Flinders Bay.