THE LOSS OF THE PERICLES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9185, Issue 9185, 8 April 1910, Page 3

THE LOSS OF THE PERICLES.

AN ENQUIRY BEGINS,

(By Elkcisjo Telegraph—Copyright.) (Per Peess Association.) PERTH, April 7. Tiic Admiralty Court has commenced an enquiry into" the wreck of the Pericles.

Counsel appeared for Captain Simpson and also for 31 passengers, who had made charges against the officers of neglecting the third-class passengers. Captain Simpson, in his evidence, said that angles had been taken at every point along the shore. He had a new Standard compass, and ifc had very little deviation. The vessel was drawing 28ft when she struck, and travelling at the rate of 13 knots an hour. It took twelve minutes to stop the steamer after she struck, during which time .she travelled from a mile to a mile and. a half. He was on the usual hnc-weiither course at the time of the disaster.

The assistant ligbthouso-kcopcr at Capo Locuwin deposed that the Pericles was eight miles a way when ho first noticed her. Sho appeared to be lying there, flying two flags, but was too far off to make out their meaning. She afterwards drifted in four miles." Her course, was junt like that of other vessels coming , in the. same direction. They were not usually close to the shore, and she was outside the dangerous run. The third officer' of the Pericles deposed that the usual course, six or seven miles of! Cape Leeuwin, wa6 kept.