THE GROUNDING OF THE PELOTAS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 4 July 1911, Page 5

THE GROUNDING OF THE PELOTAS.

THE MARINE INQUIRY. WANGANUI, Monday. Mr F. V. Fraser, S.M., and Captains Post and Grey (assessors) sat to-day to inquire mto the recent stranding of the barquentm© Pelotas. The evidence showed that the vessel had bean towed over the baa- by the Freezing Companys lighter Thistle, and when nearing the entrance to the river a heavy fresh overpowered the lighter, the captain of which shouted to the captain of the Pelotas that he would have to tow him to sea svgain. This was tried; but when the vessels readied the end of the mole the current carried the Pelotas ashore.

AI the inquiry to-clay both the masters and the pilot were of the opinion that everything \va§ done to prevent t'he disaster. A question was raised a« to whether dt would not have been better to have dropped anchor when the current became too strong; but opinion was divided, some of the witnesses thinking that such a course would have been useless, as the anchors would not have-held. The Court will give judgment in the morning.

/ THE FINDING. ALL CONCERNED. EXONERATED. CASUALTY DUE TO AN UNEXPECTED FLOOD. WANGANUL, Tuesday. The finding of the Nautical Court on the recent .stranding of the ibarquentine Pelotas at the mouth of the Wanganui river on June 12th was delivered this morning. The Court found that the accident was due to ail unexpected fresh in the rive;-, of which 110 warning had been sent to the pilot, and 'to the insufficient power, in the circumstances of the lighter which was towing the Pelotas. The certificates of all officers were returned and tio order was made as to costs, no blame being attached to the pilot or the Harbour Board ; but it was recommended that in future advice with • regard to floods should t>e sent to the pilot.