SYDNEY FERRY DISASTER

Evening Star, Issue 19760, 10 January 1928, Page 5

SYDNEY FERRY DISASTER

RESULT OF COURT’S FINDING THE PILOT SUSPENDED FIRST COMPENSATION CLAIM FILED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, January 9. The Minister of Customs (Air H. E. Pratten) announced on behalf of the Federal and State authorities, who have been co-operating - since the Groycliffe disaster, that as a result of the finding of Mr Justice Campbell that the Tahiti, being the overtaking vessel, was solely to blame for the collision, the State superintendent of navigation has decided to suspend Captain Carson (the pilot) from duty for a breach of the collision regulations and for exceeding th espeed limit as laid down by the Sydney Harbor Trust regulations. With the approval of the Acting Premier a charge will be laid under the pilotage regulations against Captain Carson by the State authorities, Captain Carson being a State officer. The charge will not, however, b> heard until the coroner has completed tho inquest. Mr Pratten added that the liability, if any, of th© master and tho officers of the Tahiti was receiving careful consideration by the Federal authorities.

The first writ in connection with the disaster has been issued by Mrs Lee Brown, widow of Dr Lee _ Brown, against the_ Union Steam Ship_ Company, claiming £5,000 compensation for the loss of her husband.

THE INQUEST CONTINUED,

SYDNEY, January 9

The inquest on the victims of the Greycliffe disaster was resumed, but, contrary to expectations, neither Captain Carson not Captain Barnes was called.

Captain Hildebrand, assistant harbormaster, gave evidence that men were stationed at points around the harbor to check the speed of certain outgoing deep-sea vessels about which the Harbor Trust had been suspicious, and when found going at too great a speed the Harbor Trust cautioned the ship. It was sometimes necessary to go beyond a caution. Witness added that he had never received a report about the speed of the Tahiti.