THE MARINE COLLISION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 March 1917, Page 2

THE MARINE COLLISION.

NAUTICAL INQUllll. [n-z. pkess association. ] AUCKLAND, This Day. A nautical enquiry into the collision between the steamer Araliura aha a Home liner, at Gisborne, opened. Captain Goddard, master of the Home liner, in ins evidence said that lus vessel was at anchor until just before the collision. The third oinceDreported that there was a heavy strain on the ciiain. Witness found this to be so, and noted that the ruling light was burning brightly. All the lignts were burning. He commenced to heave on the anchors at 10.40 p.m. and it was 10.50 p.m, before the anchor was up. L’iie vessel went slowly astern. She had no way on when he saw the Araiuira crossing 1 lie bend of the \\ numera. He immediately gave the order ‘‘Slop” ! lie saw the por land masthead lights of the Araliura about a quarter of a mile away. His vessel, tnough not going ahead, may have been drifting with the tides, which was setting strongly to the north-east. Captain Goddard said that as the Araliura approached she was leading across the Wimmera's bows. He gave me order " 'Siow ahead !” one minute before he saw the Araliura. His vessel had not gained headway before the order “Stop" was given. At 11.1 the order was given “Dull speed astern.” Witness thought his vessel was going astern when the Araliura struck her. Ho did not notice the Araliura alter her course at all. She seemed to be cutting across the liner’s bows. She then seemed to swing to starboard and drop on to tue bows of tlie liner. Ihe vessels bumped and the Araliura swung rund, passing clear. Iho Araliura did not signal or whistle while she was comiifg on, nor did the liner signal I l * the Araliura, Witness did not know the regulations under the “Harbours Act” re lire use of the whistle. Hu thought that as the Araliura was the own a king vessel, and his vessel was stationary, the former would .automatically give him a clear berth.