CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 40, 17 February 1911, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

THE ELINGAMITE WRECK. | TO THE BDITOH. Sir, — 1 was much interested in tho article in your leading column headed "Perils on the Coast," in Tuesday's issue of The Post. The matter of tho Three Kings 1 position being wrongly plotted on the charl has been the leading topic of conversation amongst seafaring men since H.M.S. Cambrian ascertained the true position of the islands in question. Naturally the loss of the Elingamite, and the severe punishment wrongly inflicted upon the unfortunate commander, lies been discussed at length. I 'say "wrongly inflicted" advisedly, for had it been -discovered at tho time the enquiry was held that these islands were threo miles to the southward of their charted position the court, I submit, could not have done anything but exonerate Captain Atwood. It was erroneously stated in your columns that Captain Atwood's certificate was suspended for three months, and, in addition, he was fined £50. The term of tho suspension was for twelve months, and ho was not even granted a mate's > certificate during that time, thereby being deprived of earning a living. He could not have been more severely punished had he committed a crime, whereas the accident was apparently none of his fault. Has there, therefore, not been a gross miscarriage of justice? It ia only reasonable to expect, now that the facts aro luiown, that the Government will in some measure compensate this most unfortunate gentleman for the more than nine long years whkh he has suffered as an outcome of the decision of the tribunal set up by one of its departments to onquire into the cause of the loss of the vessel. It is undoubtedly a fact that had the islands been in the position shown on the Admiralty chart, the Elingamite would have passed three miles to the southward, well clear of the group. Moreover, the evidence at the enquiry went to show that the vessel at the time of the mishap was being navigated in a seamanlike and cautious manner, and in accordance with the regulations — going at reduced speed in foggy weather. It is to be hoped that the Government will, after this, continue the survey of the coast from the point at which H.M.S. Penguin terminated her survey a few years ago. — I am, etc., NEPTUNE. Wellington, 16th February, 1911.