ACCIDENT TO S.S. JOHN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 15 July 1925, Page 9

ACCIDENT TO S.S. JOHN.

EXTRA EDITION.

SUBMERGED OBJECT STRUCK. A NAUTICAL IN.QUI-RY. (i;T TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ■WELLINGION, July 15. A nautical inquiry regarding the casualty to the steamer Joint at Pukerna Bay on June 14 is being held today, Mr. Riddell, S.M., presiding, and associated with him are Captains Laron and Rogers. Captain Hawick gave evidence that owing to the heavy southerly gale he decided to put into Tiitahi Lay for shelter, .but as it was getting dark lie decided, to? go into Pukerua Lay. Careful soundings were taken. The witness. felt, the vessel bump some submerged object, which seemed to give. At the time the vessel was about half a mile from the shore, which could be seen, .although it was getting dark. Oil feeling the bump, witness ordered full speed astern, and then steamed full speed ahead for the sea. for a lew minute*. As it was getting still darker, witness decided to keep to sea instead of returning to the bay. Ait daybreak the steamer was steered for Stephen’s Island and then took shelter at Guard’s Lay, which place he reached about- 8 a.m. Ait the time the ship struck she was drawing 9ft Jin aft. On examination on the Wellington slip it wars found that the vessel had sustained a dent on the bulkhead at the after end of the hold. On a previous occasion the John had put into Pukerua Bay and anchored for 24 hours. The last sounding before the vessel struck the submerged object was 16 fathoms. Witness, could not say whether the object struck was a submerged rock or not, but/there was no groundling.