Was Trawler Hit by Riccochet?

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 244, 16 October 1939, Page 8

Was Trawler Hit by Riccochet?

SHIP BEING RAISED (By Telegraph—Press Association) ‘CHRISTCHURCH, October 14. Salvage operations were begun today in an effort to raise the sunket trawler Dolphin, which went to the bottom of Lyttelton Harbour with hei owner, Frederick James Brasell, after being sunk by a harbour defence gur on Thursday. It is hoped that a pile-driver’s powerful hoisting gear will be capable oi pulling the Dolphin to the surface. Thus supported she will then be towed into port by a tug. One theory of the sinking which is gaining some support in Lyttelton is that the Dolphin was sunk by a riccochet and not by a direct hit. A workman on the dredge Canterbury is said to have been watching the Dolphin as she sailed towards the fort and saw the gun fired. He says he saw something splash in the water on the landward side of the vessel a moment before she was hit. Expressing the opinion that the sinking of the Dolphin was due to wilful negligence on the part of those in charge of the defence battery, fishermen passed a resolution of protest whjch will be forwarded to the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. The meeting was held in committee, but a statement was issued subsequently by Mr F. P. Walsh, general secretary of the Seamen’s Federation, who paid a special visit from Wellington. Represented at the meeting were Lyttelton, Kaikoura, Akaroa and Timaru fishermen. The meeting passed a resolution pointing out to the authorities that the inspection vessel, instead of being stationed off Little Port Cooper in accordance with instruction issued to fishermen by the Defence Department, was actually stationed two or three miles on the port end of the harbour near where the Dolphin was sunk. Mr Walsh said that those present were confident that the Government would do all it possibly could to assist fishermen in having the whole of the evidence considered and published. Fishermen in all parts of Canterbury had sent telegrams of protest to the Minister against what they considered wilful negligence and demanding a full inquiry into the tragedy, continued Mr Walsh.

Kaikoura fishermen discussed the sinking of a Dolphin yesterday, and the following telegram was received by the Lyttelton meeting this morning: “We protest in the strongest terms against the shooting tragedy at Lyttelton, and propose that all voluntary help to naval and other authorities be withdrawn until all danger of further shooting is removed to the satisfaction of fishermen.” VICTIM’S BODY RECOVERED Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 15. Tlio body of Frederick James Brasell, who lost his life when tho fishing launch Dolphin was struck by a shot from tho shore battery in Lyttelton harbour on Thursday, was recovered last night after the Dolphin had been raised by the Harbour Board’s piledriving pontoon. The inquest was opened this morning before Mr. F. F. Reid and was adjourned after the evidence of identification had been given. The coroner ordered a post-mortem examination to be made. The successful raising of tho big launch was the culmination of many hours of patient work under trying conditions by a band of volunteer helpers consisting of fishermen and shipwright workers. Wire hawsers were taken from the Dolphin to the pontoon’s winch and the launch raised to the surface after which the tug Lyttelton II towed the pontoon and launch to the inner harbour.