LOSS OF THE KAPONGA

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 147, 7 June 1932, Page 6

LOSS OF THE KAPONGA

INQUIRY CONTINUED. HARBOURMASTER’S EVIDENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, June 7. At the Kaponga inquiry to-day, Cap. tain Cox, harbourmaster at Greymouth, said that according to the reading on the gauge and the previous sounding there should have been at least 21 feet three inches of water on the bar. He was swinging the Kaponga when the Kalingo went down the river, but he watched the Kalingo go across the bar. The Kalingo made no signal, but he saw some steam around her funnel. Asked if he did not think she touched, witness said he thought nothing at all because he knew that if she had he would bo advised iu a moment or two from the flagstaff. Witness said he did not remember any conversation with Mr Gibson, second officer of the Kaponga, but it was quite possible that if the matter had been brought up he might have said he thought the Kalingo had touched. He watched the Knponga go right down to the bar and she made a very good course down the. river. He thought she was clear. On being notified that she had stuck he gave orders immediately for the tug to be got ready.

It was put to Captain Cox that the only conclusion that could be come to was that the soundings were incorrect. Witness: Not at all.

Counsel: “Did not the Ngahera strand when she expected to have five or six feet of water under her?

Captain Cox: The Ngahera never went near the bar.

Counsel: Yes; never mind about that; but did she not strand when she expected to have that water under her? Captain Cox: Yes. Witness said he still considered sounding by the lead the best method, adding that after this affair he would never be easy. He had not the slightest suspicion or reason to doubt the accuracy of the soundings taken the day the Kaponga sailed.