THE TRIUMPH INQUIRY.

Evening Star, Issue 6481, 24 December 1883, Page 4

THE TRIUMPH INQUIRY.

Thomas Owen, chief officer of the Triumph : He recollected the sailing of the vessel on the evening of the 29th November. He was in charge of the crew, who were clearing the ship after the pilot left. Before the pilot left he was keeping a look-out on the fore-castle-head. That time the crew were clearing the decks under the supervision of the second and third mates. A few minutes after tl>e pilot left the ship he was on the bridge with the captain, ■- .id heforc leaving the forecistle-head he placed a man (John O'Halloran) there as a look-out O'Halloran was lamp.trimmor on board, and a reliable man. After leaving the bridge he went and got his dinner, this occupying about a quarter of an hour. After this he was clearing the 4ecka, securing the hatohes, hauling the braces taut, etc. He did not recollect Homey, who was shipped at Auckland, saying something about being too close to the land. He was in Romey's company all the time, but did not rcoolleot Romey saying something like " By so-and-so, we'll be on the rocks if we don't mind." Ho would swear that he did not hear Romey rushing along the decks and calling to the steorsman to port the helm. Ho did not - j a light after he came off the forecastle-head. He did not see the lighthouse till she struck; in fact, he was not looking. The light on the loud could not have been seen from the starboard side of the deck. He would swear he was not on the port side, or he would have seen the light. He was perfectly sober when the vessel struck. Romey, the third mate, is a semi-lunatic or that way inclined. Romoy was a little intoxicated. If Romey had called out that the ship was going on the rocks both he and the second mate must have heard him. Several of the crew dosertod the steamer, while tho third mate was discharged according to agreement. There was no sign of liquor on the captain that day. There was nothing about the captain or his demeanor thatled to a doubt that tho ship was safe in hands. He never saw the captain drunk, but had seen him with his face bandaged for neuralgia. By Mr Williamson: I am no relative of the captain. I have had a disagreement with the crow in Auckland. On one occasion 1 struck one of the crew in the presence of the immigration officer and some passengers for saying something I did not like. Did you do anything else disgraceful on board in tho presence of Mr Eliott, immigration officer ?—No. Do you rcoolleot ihe immigration officer catching you kissing one of the girls '/—No, ho never did.—Mr Brassey objected to the question, but the Bench held that the question should be answered. Did you not do that ?—No. Is it not true that owing to irregularities on board tho immigration officer has recommended that the customary gratujtipg to the captain, the doctor, and yourself be withheld is. something of that sort, but wo have not been brought beforo our accusers yet. In answer to further questions, the witness said it was not the duty of the chief officer to keep a look-out after the watches had been arranged, if the captain was on the bridge and a man on the look-out. Thf iuquiry was adjourned till Monday.