DISASTERS AT SEA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 106, 20 April 1912, Page 5

DISASTERS AT SEA.

THE HIMITANGI INQUIRY.

[FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, April 19. The magisterial enquiry into the stranding of the steamer Himitangi at Chatham Island on February 7 11th opened today. Captain Cowen, master of the vessel, gave evidence that the night before the vessel went ashore at Waitangi an anchor watch was set. Early the next morning he felt the ship roll and he took steps to prevent her going on the beach, but was not successful. She touched bottom and the engines were net much use then. .The watch was kept by a fireman. He did not think it would be better to have an A.B. on watch. The vessel was on the beach altogether for about ;even weeks. He made, many attempts to get her off and eventually she was refloated. The cable gave way owing to the pin of the shackle breaking. It was an old shackle ba* looked all right. Thomas Sawyers, the second mate, said the vessel lost three anchors a month or two before. The cable had parted a number of times. Arthur Calvert, Government Surveyor of Ships, gave it as his opinion the accident occurred because there was not sufficient cable out. A statement was made by counsel that the directors of the Chatham Island Fishing Company still retained confidence in Captain Cowan. The Court absolved the captain from any carelessness, and returned his certificate. The court was of opinion that Captain Cowan was careful in the management of the vessel. The captain, in leaving a fireman .to take the anchor watch, only followed the practice which had hitherto prevailed on the steamer. The two nautical assessors, however, were strongly of opinion that such a practice could not be allowed in the future. No order was made as to costs.

KOOMBANA’S LAST MESSAGE

(Received 20, 1 p.m.) Brisbane, April 20. The steamer Montoro has arrived. Captain Denis reports that when near Port Darwin he received a wireless message from the Koonibana.