WRECK OF THE HAWEA.
THE OFFICIAL ENQUIRY. Per Press Association. Wellington, June 20. The Magisterial enquiry into the wreck of the steamer Hawea at New Plymouth was commenced to-day before the R.M. and Captains Robertson and Fraser, Nautical Assessors. Captain Hansby was examined at length, but no new facts were elicited. He attributed the cuuse of the wreck either to the vessel smelk'ng tho ground or to the strength of the wind on the starboard beam. He might have come the same course 00 times before. The tendency of going ahead after leAing go his second anchor would certainly not be to over-ride the anchor—in fact, it would be a matter of impossibility to do so, as the wind, tide and he’m were against it. When once the vessel commenced to make water, it came in very rapidly, hut all aft. Twenty minutes or half-an-hour after she struck there was eight feet of water iq her after-hold. He considered it would have been useless to put tho ongines to work again after she struck. If he had done so he would probably have lost all the blades of the propeller, as he considered that, if there was one small rock in the vicinity, there would probably he others. As lie had only 90 feet of chain out under the vessel’s stern it would be a mathematical impossibility for her to over-ride her anchor. Witness was anxious for a diver to make an examination of the spot where the Hawea struck, but tho weather bad been too iad to permit of it during his stay there, and the Company’s agent bad sine ) decided not to have any examination mule without the authority of the Company, on the score of :'icuvring expense.
j William Waller, chief officer, corroborated the evidence of th-> captain. Captain Halford, Ha: bor Master at New Plymouth, was also examined. Mr Bell, who appeared sor the Customs, intimated that it was his intention to call direct evidence to show that the vessel had struck upon tier own anchor, and asked for an adjournment till Monday, which was-granted.
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Bibliographic details
Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 21 June 1888, Page 2
Word Count
349WRECK OF THE HAWEA. Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 21 June 1888, Page 2
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