NAPIER HARBOUR TRAGEDY

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 28 January 1933, Page 5

NAPIER HARBOUR TRAGEDY

WAS HELMSMAN- WORSE FOR LIQUOR? OPINION OF TUGiMASTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association). NAPIER, Jan. .27./ -The marine inquiry into the disaster at the entrance of the inner harbour on December 28, when ten men were drowned in a collision between their launch Doris and the Tu Atii, Was continued to-day before Air. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., Captain J. W'. Holmes and Captain L. C. H. Worrall as marine assessors. The sitting was not concluded and was adjourned until tor morrow.

Arne Angen, deckhand on. the' Tu Atu, stated that the Doris appeared to change its course when within a few yards of the Tu Atu. : He saw a light oil the port side and the next instant the Doris was overturned on the starboard side. The Tir Atu did not appear to change its course. The Doris was struck only a glancing blow. Angen thought that it completely overturned. ; :

Richard Blundel, master of the tug Kuru, said that early, on the night of the disaster. Mentzer, helmsman of the Doris, appeared the worse for liquor. . . -:, . \ William Frank Bailee,, harbour board nightwatchman, said he did not put up the “channel closed” signal when the Tu Atu went out because she did not block it. Launches had frequently passed the Tu Atu in the channel. Alfred Witington, a watersider, who was on the Doris, said he saw the Tu Atu when she was almost on the launch, which had not changed her course just prior to the collision. Jeffrey Ronald lones. another watersider on the Doris, said when he saw the lights of the Tu! .Atu lie thought them to be those of the Koau, which was stuck in the channel. The Doris appeared to pull towards the eastern pier, and he thought they, would graze it as they passed. When he first saw the Tu Atu the Doris was a little on her port bow.