Stranding of the Ruapehu.

Hastings Standard, Issue 215, 8 January 1897, Page 3

Stranding of the Ruapehu.

OPENING OF THE INQUIRY. EVIDENCE BY ( APT. STUART. [By Telegraph.] (P<:j' P/v.n* A*s<triati'-ii.) Wellington, Jan. 7. The inqui iry into the stranding of the iiuapehu began this afternoon. Captain Stuart deposed that at noon o i the day the vessel struck he had an excellent observation, which he took himself, and set a course to carry the ship eight miles north of Cape Farewell. At 4.20 he noticed that he was being set a little to the northward, and altered the course, making a temporary course towards -ho re. Thi; was a" when witness went to dinner and left instructions with the chief officer that if the iighthou- did not come in sight before the ship wawithin four miles of the beach the vessel was to be hauled out »-ast. He called the atmo-phenV conditions " very clear.'" He eon<idend that he would have eight miles to run before getting within the four-mil-.- margin which he gave the chief officer. While at dinner witness imagined he felt the engines slow, and going on deck saw the ship close to the breakers and ashore. This was at 713 p.m. Everything was done that was po.— ible to float the ship, but without success. He could not say whether there was any land on the port bow, though there may have been, but saw it stretched out straight ahead. Soundings gave 12ft of water forward and 25fc aft. The vessel w;.< drawing 1 s !t 11 in forward and 22i't -jip.aft. i 'ndi i witness's instructions the fourth officer was never allowed to be in charge of the deck unlets the weather was very clear and by special permission. Had a vigilant look out been kept, obedience to witni- ■ orders were quite sufficient for the cartful navigation of the .-hip. Breakers could easily Ik* seen with glasses from four to live miles oil*. W bile at dinner he beard that the chief officer, who left the deck ten minutes after v. itne--, was called by the fourth, but no message was sent to witness. Replying to a question from the captain the quartermaster, who was at the wheel, said that he had seen breakers. The chief officer had asked witness if it was necessary for him to remain on deck with the fourth officer during dinner, and witness replied that he did not think so. but at the same time made up bis mind to take the chief officer's place though he did not com munieate thi- intention, -o there was justification for the chief officer leaving the deck. There wano intoxication on board the ship. Did not think navigation in the vicinity of Cap; Farewell required more than ordinary care in tine weather. His usual cour-e coining from Hobart to Wellington was to steer for a point live to eight mile • north of Cape Fare-veil, which enabled him to steer an ea- riy course in fine weather, but if the weather was bau he could steer north and give the Cape a wide l>erlh. Witness a-ked the thief officer how he got in there, and he replied that he was not on deck, having left it ten minutes after the captain. At 6 p.m. an adjournment wa.-., made until 10.M0 next day. This day. Captain Stuart, recalled, said inch art showed that the* distance from when* the vessel - eourse was altered at <>.:{■» to the ea '< rn i» dhills then visible was 12\ nu'» Ihe oh-.-rva tion.*j by cross b> inn.' ..t <U>"> had been continued, u 1 \ itn>- - had no doubt the [Kisition ol the vessel at that time was the correct one. Captain Wheeler, formerly of the Union Comiwny. j.'.tve evidence a. to the distance at which the sandhillwere likely to be seen from sta in clear weather to be visible 124 mile". The sea along the Spit might break half a lutle from the .shore in rough weather, but ordinarily it wa.- not more than a quarter of a mile. p.m. Captain W he«r -<iid 1 • h..d n< •. ■ r known atmo-ph» i ic c-u. ht'"n- at < .i}* Farewell, wh;<h make t: «\< -aS.;. f--r a. vessel grounding fr->m t.» J no;, from the shore. He had i.c« tii> e\pe-riviH««l a difficulty m up the land in had %■ ath> r If t!.« -mi was m ttiug he might - • the < oa-1 line and surf more easily. 2.lit p.m. Mr C'ofptn, chief officer. •!• -*1 that he left the brtdg*. with. th. Cup tun's j►collision, and th» lat:. r wa.aware he had gort>- down t<> ..mier. The captain *:)' instruction* th «t he be called when w ithm fur flnM '>f land were >t>li\<rt-i to the fourth officer and riot t*> »itin He oon-id« ri i lh- cnur» afe with i.tii-l fi\t- milti- on the >!a.rl*<<trd -i<li , Wit had rsr)'.' from <i) • !it«»ry for -Jituc day- and u.i.- having a n .-t in his own tabiii when :h«- ■pi-.-rtJ r uix<ft* r parted that tfn- U- trlh ottic. r - had diitoMKd land <-ii th- -Urltwrd bow. H" t ! :e c ipiUK *i-re rmrMtl, '1 h< n iu» uu li.i/v but jtiaic the -v.irfa**water and th< -*and hill-. I'id not <*h nerve the until -otne time after the xwuil sUaQded.