WRECK OF KARU

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1926, Page 8

WRECK OF KARU

FINDING OF COURT OF INQUIRY

SHIP DAMAGED ON WHANGAPE BAR,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day.

The Court of Inquiry into the wreck

of the steamer Karu, near Cape Maria, on 28th February, found that the casualty was caused by the vessel striking some object on the bar as she came from Whangapo Harbour; that the vessel was seaworthy and well found; that Frank Saunders and Boy Eavenswood lost their lives by drowning when endeavouring to get ashore from the wreck at Twilight Eay. The master's certificate will be returned, and no order will be made as tj costs. HOLE TEMPOKAEIL BLOCKED. In the course of the judgment, the Magistrate said: "We are of opinion that the damage to the vessel was likely to be caused by striking the bar in the manner disclosed by the evidence would not account for the vessel making no water for many hours, and then after fourteen hours, when she met heavy weather and a rough sea, making water so fast, and we consider'that the vessel must have struck a rock on the bar or a sunken log, and have carried a portion o fthe rock of the log in her hull until the heavy weather and sea caused it to be dislodged, when the vessel began to make water seriously." CAPTAIN EXONERATED. The Court expressed.the opinion that the master exercised the care that seemed to be usual with masters working bar harbours. Taking the difficulties that presented themselves to him and the fact that he found his vessel making no water for many hours after striking the bar (although events showed that it was in fact the wrong course) with the facts he had before him upon which to decide, we cannot say he was wrong in his judgment."