Men All Rushed to One Side

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7044, 31 December 1932, Page 7

Men All Rushed to One Side

Per Press Association.

HASTINGS, Last Night.

The preliminary inquiry into the disaster which occurred between the launch Doris, loaded with watersiders, and the Tu Atu, at the entrance to the harbour, opened this afternoon. After hearing the evidence of a number of those early on the scene of tho disaster and of the launchman, the hearing was adjourned until to-morrow, when the evidence of throe more witnesses will be heard. Eric Cruimor Mentzer, who was in charge of the Doris, said he did not have a certificate but had a license from the Harbour Board to drive the launch. When he first saw the Tu Atu the vessels were 20 to 25 yards apart. He put his helm hard over, but the launch was struck a glancing blow nearly amidships, tho men springing to the port side, which resulted in them being thrown into the water. If they had not done that ho thought it probable the disaster would not have happened. The weather at the time was fine but hazy, there being a slight breeze with a moderate swell running. Robert William Martin, master of the Tu Atu, said at no time did he see a red or green light on the Doris, but only a white light which he thought was the only one the launch possessed. Ho was on his correct course at the time, travelling at a speed of two knots. He did not realise the danger until it was too late, tne Doris light having come straight across his bows. The weather was fine, the atmosphore being clear but dark. John Thomas Fenwick, owner of the Dori's and one of the passengers, said he had noticed all three lights of tho Doris burning brightly before tho collision. There were none standing to obScuTe the lights. His version of the

When Launch Struck Glancing Blow Inquiry Into Harbour Tragedy Opens

disaster was that the Tu Atu shouldered the launch rather than struck it. The men all sprang to the port side away from the Tu Atu, which brushed the Doris sufficiently to tip the men out.

Captain Horace White-Parsons, harbourmaster, who was early on the scene, said the visibility was perfect. He noticed tho Tu Atu’s lights all burning brightly.