GREYCLIFFE TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1927, Page 3

GREYCLIFFE TRAGEDY

COURT OF INQUIRY

.JUSTICE CAMPBELL’S COMMENT

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

SYDNEY, Nov. 22

At the Greycliffe Inquiry, Captain Carson, cross-examined in regard to the position and the speeds of the two steamers, reiterated that he believed if the Greycliffe had not altered the course she was steering just before tbe collision, there would have been no collision. There was ample distance for both steamers. If the Greycliffe bad eased, or reversed after the Tahiti blew two blasts, he did not think there would have been a collision. Asked if be put down tbe collision to accidental causes oil the part of t lk* Greycliffe, witness replied he would say nothing about that. Both lie and the Captain of the Tahiti were keeping a sharp look-out on the ferry boat. After giving two whistles, he immediately ordered the helm hard astarboard and the Tahiti very quickly swung to port. The Tahiti had been ordered full speed ahead, and was proceeding under those orders, until he ordeal the engines astern ; hut not at any time did the speed exceed eight knots, lie did everything possible after the Greycliffe changed her course to obtafn under those orders, until be ordered a maximum deflection. At no time did the position present any danger at all until the Greycliffe suddenly changed her course. A ferry steamer had approached much closer than the rlaliiti and the Greycliffe were, up to the time of the collision. Captain Carson considered there was sufficient space and time to meet any reasonable development and maintained that tbe course taken by the Greycliffe was not reasonable.

Mr Justice Campbell (presiding over tbe Inquiry) here remarked : The action taken by the Greycliffe was quite 'incomprehensible. She bad no right to be on that course at all.

Cecil Sharpe, Chief Officer of the Tahiti, gave evidence similar to that ol Carson’s and produced the engine room and deck logs of the Tahiti in support of his evidence.

Sharpe, in reply to questions, said In* did not know what speed the Tahiti was travelling, but quoted tbe deck log entry, just before the collision. which showed half a head for five minutes. He expected her speed to he six knots. He would not deny that after going full speed for five minutes, the Tahiti would he doing thirteen knots.