LOSS OF THE PENGUIN.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 654, 2 March 1909, Page 5

LOSS OF THE PENGUIN.

THE JURY'S VERDICT.

A LIGHT RECOMMENDED.

■ (Press Association). Wellington, Last Night. The following is the verdiofc of the jury concerning the Penguin disaster. 1. That Mrs Brittain and others came to their death by the wreok of the Penguin. ■ 2. That the course laid down by Captain Naylor would under ordinary oiroumstanoes have been perfectly safe, but was affeoted by the adverso winds and oontrary tides and currents and Captain Naylor lost his bearings because of the thickness of the weather, and no lights were visible after 8,80 p.m. and the vessel struck at 10,2 p.m. upon some objeot, the exaot locality of whioh has not been defined,and beoame a total wreok. 3. That the conduot of Captain Naylor and the crew of the Penguin after the vessel struck waß in all respeots admirable. 4. That on the evidence submitted it is appaient that all was done by the Union Steam Shipping Company, the police, and Mr and Mrs McMenamin and their rr en for the care of the dead and the welfare of the survivors that oould be done under the circumstances. 5. That having regard to the number of wrecks in this vicinity and with a view to preventing the recurrence of snob a deplorable disaster as the wreck of the Penguin and consequent loss of life the jury is of opinion that a light ou Tongue Point is desirablu and its ereotion should be considered favourably by the Marine Department. 6. That the jury is of opinion that steps should bo taken speedily by the Marine Department to locate the hull of the Penguin.

MARINE OOUKT JUDGMENT.

OAPTAIN NAYLOR'S OERTIFIGATE SUSPENDED. Wellington, Last Night. The Marine Court gave its judgment to-night regarding the Penguin disaster. It found :-

..iTliat the Penguin was well found and equipped. That Captain Naylor was guilty of a breach of article 16 the regulations for preventing collisions at sea. That the cause of the casualty was the presence of an exceptionally strong flood tide, coupled with a breach of artiole 16 by the master of the vessel, and with his failure under existing oironmstances to put to sea when he had run a course of 18 miles. That the master should have put his head to sea sooner, which would have prevented the oasualty, That after the wreck everything possible was done to prevent loss of life. Captain Naylor's certificate is suspended for twelve months, but no order is made regarding costs. ,Mr Herdinan, who appeared for Mr Naylor, gave notice of appeal. /

THE RELIEF FUND, A meeting in connection with the Penguin relief fond was held to-day, the Mayor presiding, The total in hand is £lOBl. This includes £IOO from the Huadart-Parker Company, bnt does not include any Government subsidy. About £IOO has been spent in relieving oases of argent need. It was deoided to make no difference in the treatment of passengers and orew and an aotive oanyass is to be made to augment the fnnd.