STRANDING OF A KETCH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 December 1927, Page 5

STRANDING OF A KETCH.

INQUIRY AT AUCKLAND. CIIY TEIjEGEAPII—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 1(5. When the auxiliary ketch Coronation, 5(5 tons net register, was bound for Awanui from Auckland on September 25 she humped into the south-east eno of Kawau Island just before dawn. An explanation was given at the inquiry this morning to Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., which Captains Gibson and Anderson as assessors. Mr. Meredith, who appeared for the Marine Department, said the ketch left Auckland at 11 p.m. on September 24 under engine power. The master, Thomas Monaghan, remained at the wheel until after passing through the Tiritiri passage, and at 2 a.m. handed it over to a young ordinary-seaman, John Fitton, giving him a course, north by west, which would have taken the vessel safely through the passage between Canoe rock and Kawau Island.

Fitton had since gone to Sydney, . but he had made a statement to Captain Atwood, Superintendent of ■ Marine, that after being at the wheel for some little .time he went into the forecastle to get some matches. He came back, put a beckct on the wheel, and then went into the galley ,to make himself some coffee. He said he was not away more than four minutes. It was then raining steadily. He had a look at the compass, and saw lie was on the proper course. He could not see any land, and he then called the master, but before the latter came on deck the vessel struck on Kowau Island. When the master got on deck lie found Canoe Rock was right astern of the vessel. Not much damage was done to the vessel and she was got oft'. It was quite clear that Fitton had let the vessel get off her course. The question now was whether the master was justified in leaving the wheel in charge of a young ordinary seaman, and whether he should not have been at the wheel himself when approaching such a passage as that between Canoe Rock and Kawau Island, and have seen the vessel safely through. Counsel for the master contended that his client was quite justified in leaving the wheel to Fitton with instructions to be called before Kawau was reached. The master was the only certificated man on board. With a vessel of that size carrying cargo .the regulations should require a second certificated man; it was too much to expect one man to be up all Ifours taking charge. The finding of the Court .was briefly: (1) That the mishap was caused by the wrongful act of the ordinary seaman Fitton in leaving the wheel; (2) that the master acted in accordance with the custom prevalent on the coast; (3) that regulations should be drafted to provide a second certificated officer on such vessels. The master’s certificate was return-