INQUIRY INTO HARBOUR COLLISION— Ship’s Master Closely Questioned Today

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1950, Page 5

INQUIRY INTO HARBOUR COLLISION— Ship’s Master Closely Questioned Today

WELLINGTON, This Day (P.A.).— The Waipiata, when first seen, had turned to starboard, as did the Taranaki, but a little later the Waipiata turned back to port, thus bringing her across the Taranaki’s bows, said John Moore, third officer of the Taranaki, in evidence before the magisterial inquiry today. Witness said that at no stage after .sighting the Waipiata did the Taranaki take a turn to port. She kept to starboard, said witness.

His evidence followed that of the Taranaki’s master, Captain Bennett, who was in the witness box throughout yesterday and for the greater part of this morning’s hearing. To Mr Virtue (appearing for the Union Stea'm Ship Company, owners of the Waipiata), Bennett said he had taken a course less on the port side of the channel, than recommended by the pilot. This was because he was not prepared to take his ship to near a shoal p/itch. He would have had to turn to starboard and would have come to the same position eventually. The pilot did not set the course, but gave guidance. Mr Virtue: To get on “the leads” at the earliest practicable moment, you would have kept as far as possib.lt to the port side of the channel? — Yes, sir. Danger Of Jamming Witness said that the signature of the chief officer on the certificate, that the steering gear had been checked before leaving port, did mean that that officer had been present at that operation.

To a further question by Mr Virtue, witness said that he had in the back of his mind that he did not want to have the steering gear jammed by having it too long at “hard to starboard.” Sometimes a ship’s rudder jammed if it was “hard to starboard” too long.' Witness considered the Taranaki’s helmsman at the time of the collision to be “a very steady helmsman.” He had been at the helm in and out of many harbours. He did not see any other ship apart from the W'aipiata in the harbour. Mi’ Virtue: Did you not see the Talisman? Witness: She must have been astern of us. I did not see any other ship. Witness said there were two whistles on the Taranaki. There was no difference between them. If the automatic one failed, the third officer would have to take a few steps to sound the hand one. It was not necessary to look behind because he had his compass to guide him. When the helmsman was on a course he checked amidships and returned to the bridge. He had full confidence in the helmsman. Helmsman’s Claim Mr Virtue: Do you know that your helmsman stated in the preliminary inquiry that the light from the compass dazzled him? Witness: His duty was to steer the course. That would not worry him. Did you not look at the compass often yourself?—Yes. Would you not also be dazzled? — No, sir, I did not think it was dazzling. At the time of the impact you were hard a starboard? —Yes. The Waipiata had considerable headway?—Yes. Would not that accentuate your swing to starboard? —I did not notice it. Ypu said the impact-checked your swing?—Witness said he could not remember the time when he first noticed the Waipiata’s propeller wake. It was not just prior to the collision. The first order to slow was given as a precaution. He thought the Waipiata was steering wildly, but there should have been no difficulty in passing. It was a “super precaution.” Witness said there was an added reason, that it was necessary to run a little way off the ship to provide for any possibility of going astern. Otherwise the propeller drag might stop the engines. “Steered Quite Well” Witness said the Taranaki steered quite well. She . S was “heavy,” then slow to respond, but “when she does come, she comes with a rush.” Mr Virtue: Do you know there are allegations against you that you changed course and showed first one and then another approaching the Waipiata?—Yes, sir, but I know that I kept going to starboard. There is no possibility of your having overshot the turn at 6.402- p.m., and been on. the starboard wheel from then to regain your course? — No. Had the Taranaki been proceeding to gain the leads (leading lights) and had thus been heading to port, would there not have been cause for alarm if the Waipiata also showed her red light—There would be, sir, but as it was she was on our port bow. I suggest to you that you were heading to port for the leads—Never, sir. That is not correct. To Mr Blundell (appearing for the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, owners of the Taranaki), Bennett said he was certain the collision occurred well to the north of Steeple Rock and well to the west of the outer beacon. He was satisfied with the lights and guides for vessels entering and leaving Wellington harbour. When he saw the Waipiata he could not ascertain whether it was a coaster or an overseas ship. It was a dark night. Counsel Objects When the witness was being questioned by Mr Blundell, Dr Mazengarb (representing the master of the Waipiata, Captain J. Mac Neil), objected. He said that Mr Treadwell (appearing for the master and officers of the Taranaki) and Mr Blundell had taken the attitude that they were crossexamining., For the past ten minutes everything had been put into the mouth of the witness, said Dr Mazengarb. The-chairman (Mr A. A. McLachlan S.M.): I was wondering when someone was going to object. Dr Mazengarb: The objection was taken earlier. He says he is cross-ex-amining his witness. Now the captain, who had been most active in his demeanour, stands in the box and says “yes.” Mr Blundell: If my friend would be a little less theatrical and would bother to read the rules relating to the procedure for this class of inquiry, he would know that a witness is examined by Dr Foden, for the Crown, cross-examined by counsel

for the parties and re-examined by the Crown. I shall be surprised if the same course is not taken when the Waipiata’s witnesses are in the box. , Mr Treadwell: It is a piece of theatre we do not need in this court. The chairman said it was a matter of classifying the evidence already given. “We had better close the incident,” he said. Mr Blundell: Irrespective of what might be the practive in Wellington harbour, both vessels moved to the starboard initially? Witness: Yes. Was there any reason for your vessel to turn to port?—-No, sir. Had the other master assumed that you were originally making for the leads, would your turn to starboard have shown him that you were not .going for the leads?—He should have known I - was keeping to the starboard side of the channel when I turned to starboard. Witness said that after he had made his initial turn to starboard, he could not turn back to port and then again to starboard in the distance as alleged by some parties. He would have had to manoeuvre his engines. Mr Blundell’s cross-examination concluded Bennett’s evidence. Third Officer’s Evidence John Moore, third officer of the Taranaki, was the next witness. To Dr Foden, witness said that the Waipiata had turned to starboard when first sighted, but had turned back to port a little while later. It was obvious that she was going to cross the Taranaki’s bows —almost at right angles. The Taranaki was, consequently, reversed. t To Mr Treadwell, witness said that all the orders given by the captain were within his hearing. He did not hear him order the ship to port. Witness was certain of that. When the Waipiata first appeared, she was fine on their starboard bow. She appeared somewhere in the middle of the channel. The wind would be of force five, about 30 miles an hour. Witness did not at any time hear a whistle from the Waipiata. He blew the two short blasts as the Taranaki turned to starboard. The control he used was on the starboard side. He heard his own whistle clearly. “Most definitely not,” was witness’ reply to a question whether the Taranaki “went at all to port.” He would have been in a position to see and hear any such order, said witness. He did not think the Waipiata was yawing in the following swell. He was certain the ship changed direction. He heard the captain’s order “slow.” He saw the green light show on the Waipiata. He wondered what she was doing, said witness. (Proceeding)