WRECK OF THE WUOLLAHRA

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 322, 20 July 1907, Page 3

WRECK OF THE WUOLLAHRA

THE INQUIRY. IMB FUSS ASMCUfION-1 Wellington, July 10. An inquiry concerning the wreck of the barque WooUahra at i'erawhiti on Sunday last was opened to-day before Dr. MeArthur, S.M., with whom Captains Larkins and W. J. Gray were associated as assessors. Alexander Foote, chief officer oi the WooUahra. said that after, the jtug left the ship at Wellington Heads on Sujrfay, he was on wateb until 6 o'clock ia the evening *nen he was wlieved by the secoofl ofioer. Captain Andressen was also on deck, and there had been np difficulty » bandling the vessel. He went bek>w and was due on watch again at midnight, but about ten minutes before that boor was aroused by shouts of "All bands on deck," and found the ship asbore. Witness then described the experiences of the crew on the vessel "and their escape to- shore in the dinghy. He tried to persuade the captain to leave, but he refused, say. ing he would remaii until daybreak. He could not account for the wreck. Ficm the position the vessel was in when be surrendered charge, her going ashore was a mystery, even, in face of the changed weather. William Cough, the second mate, said the wreck occurred in his watch. He did not see the chart, and although he knew the relative position of the light on Pencarrow Head be could not now point out on the chart the position the ship was in when he relieved the mate. The captaift went below at 9.30 p.m. but returned to deck at 1Q.15 p.m. when the wind, which had been northerly, changed to the south. There had been no change in the 1 course up till then. Land was reported to leeward at 11. 30 p.m. and the captain went to the forecastle bead and changed the course. Soon after breakers were seen ahead and the barque struck. The captain told witness ana the crew to get ashore as best they could but he would remain for daylight. Witness was for going asbore straight away, but the men said, "No, we'll stick to the captain." Counsel: Did the captain give you any of bis things P— Yes, his watch and about £136 to be given to his wife if I act ashore. He gave me them in his cabin. Hive you anything to say against the navigation r —No. to what do you attribute the wreck P— She mast bare been steered too dose in. After the evidence of a couple of seamen jbad been heard, a lad named Fetton, aged 18, an ordinary seaman, said be was the last with the captain. He went below, trying to persuade the oaptain to get into the dingby. Witness was putting a lifebait on at the time and said to the skipper, "Come, you have got your wiie\ad children to look, after." The captain started for the deck, bat be turned back and went down again, saying, "No, I'll stick to the ship. Witness followed him down, ttylng to persuade him to leave. Then he* beard tbe men on deck crying. "Shore off/ and tbe captain said "Go, say boy, and .look after yourself. I wffl. stay." Witness could stay no knger, and going on to the deck was pullei over the rail into the dinghy. He had previously heard the two mates trying to get Captain Ardressen to leave. There was three feet of water in the skipper's cabin vb*a witness left him sad tbe oaptain

walked into that and sat down on the aettee. As the dinghy was shoved away, the ?esael gave a lurch and tie cabin filled. The Court will deliver its finding to-morrow.