Stranding of the Ruapehu.

Hastings Standard, Issue 216, 9 January 1897, Page 2

Stranding of the Ruapehu.

CONTINUANCE OF THE EVI-

DENCE

[By Telegraph.]

(Per Prt'.ss Association.)

Wellington, Jan. 8. The chief officer, said that when he went to dinner he could not see any breeze or surf when he swept zori with the glasses. He against the general orders to leSreifee bridge without the express permission of the captain. The custom of the ship was for the fourth officer to relieve him for dinner, except under special conditions, when the captain's permission was necessary. The occasion was one on which the latter had to be obtained as they were nearing land. When the course was altered at (5.:55 he never heard the captain say the course set was one heading for the land. He was of opinion that he was relieved of all responsibility when the captain gave him permission to go to dinner, and that the captain was in charge of the ship. On stranding rockets were sent up, and a signal hoisted " disabled." Captain Allman, one of the assors, pointed out that the latter was quite wrong as if a vessel like the lonic had come to her assistance she would have been piled up alongside the Ruapehu. They should have hoisted " vessel ashore." Edward Forsyth, fourth afticer, admitted that he was in charge of the Bridge at the time of the accident. The captain gave him the course, and gave him instructions that the ship was not to approach within four miles of the land. The chief officer was also on the bridge at that time but he could not say whether the instructions were delivered to the chief or himself, but both could hear. Kept the course set until 7 o'clock when he saw land on the starboard bow, and pulled the vessel out. The helm was put hard a-starboard and her head went round south 85. Before she reached that, however, he found she was dragging through the sand, and ordered full steam astern. Soon after the vessel struck saw the breakers for the first time, and judged they were two and a half miles oft', but afterwards found they were much nearer. Thought- the heat of the sun off the sand had made the land appear further off than it really was. Had never been in charge before when a vessel was so close to the land as the Ruapehu was. James Peach, quartermaster, who was at the helm, said he saw the breakers at the time the fourth oflicer altered the course, but did not report the fact as the latter was in a better position to observe them than witness. Did not think then that the vessel was running into danger. Captain Stuart, re-called, admitted that he himself was altogether to blame for hoisting wrong signals after strand - ing. R. Duncan, Government Inspector of Machinery, deposed that he examined the Ruapehu. found the bulkheads slightly bulged and two stanchions bent in the forward stokehold, but could not say it was the result of the present accident. Colonel Stewart, a passenger, deposed that he saw land on the port bow for half an hour before the ship struck, and later on when the vessel was aground. Saw breakers between the ship and the shore on the starboard side. Charles Cooper, editor of the Scotsman. a passenger, gave unimportant evideuce. The inquiry was adjourned until 10 a.m. for counsel's address. This day. At the Ruapehu enquiry Captain Stuart produced the chart and showed the position of the vessel on Jan. Ist by dead reckoning and observation, lie stated before going below at U.S-> the day she struck, a steamer passed between the Ruapehu and the shore. Forsyth, the fourth officer deposed he saw a steamer pass about {>. Bo about two miles inside the Kuapehu. The steamer was the Wareatea. Counsel i> now addressing the Court. 'O. p.m. The address of counsel is likely to extend until seven or eight o'clock.