A HARBOUR COLLISION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9187, 12 April 1910, Page 3

A HARBOUR COLLISION.

OPENING OF THE ENQUIRY. (Pee Peess Association.) WELLINGTON, April 11. The Magisterial enquiry into the collision between the harbour ferry steamers Duchess and Cobar, on the night of March 30, opened to-day before Mr Haselden; S.M., and Captains E. Stott and W. J. Carey, assessors. Captain W. Jones, of the Duchess, deposed that he left Day's Bay at 6 o'clock, and after he passed Point Jerningham buoy he saw the Cobar coming straight 011. and thought she was bringing him a message. When the Cobar was about four lengths away, she gave two short blasts with her whistles, but witness did not make any signal to her. Ho had altered his course just before in order to be in line with the south end of Queen's Wharf. After he saw the Cobar ho did not alter his coursc because ho did not think the Cobar was going to run into the Duchess. The Cobar could see the Duchess's starboard light clearly. He did not speak to the captain of the Cobar after die collision, but kept on his course. He did not stop because he saw the Cobar going on. and he thought she was all right. About three years ago the Harbour Ferries Company suspended him, but lie did not know what for. He was not under the influence of liquor when the collision occurred. Captain Williams, of the Cobar, in his evidence, said the lights of the Duchess turned alternately green and red before the collision. He showed the red,light all the time. He gave the order "full steam astern" about a minute before the collision took place. Ho struck on an angle of 45 degrees. The vessel then began to leak in the forepeak and engine room, so he decided to beach the vessel. This was accomplished successfully, and the passengers were landed safely. It was the duty of the Duchess to give way. A seaman took chai-ge of the wheel not long before the collision.