Capt. McGee again Interviewed.
AN UNCHARTED ROCK. THE SHIP WAS ON A SAFE COURSE. Auckland, This day. Captain McGee interviewed by a Star reporter said that so far from the night being thick and dirty when the Tasmania struck it was clear, so much so that he could see the Gisborne breakwater lights seven miles away. When he saw land it was quite clear and seemed a long distance off. The ship was on a perfectly safe course. He has no doubt she struck on an uncharted rock. The point where she struck is apparently three miles northward of the nearest land, on Mahia Peninsula with deep water all round with no signal of danger marked. Vessels may, he says, have passed the rock scores of times and never have known its presence. The Tasmania was drawing 19 feet of water. The rock would be sixteen to eighteen feet under the water. As for the rocks near Table Cape on which some supposed the vessel was wrecked Captain McGee said they were so well known that vessels generally pass within a mile of them. The night being clear he could not have failed to see the breakers. He thinks there is a necessity for a more careful survey of the coast for hidden danger and for dragging as well as taking soundings in searching for hidden rocks.
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Hastings Standard, Issue 388, 2 August 1897, Page 3
Word Count
227Capt. McGee again Interviewed. Hastings Standard, Issue 388, 2 August 1897, Page 3
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