THE WRECK OF THE HAWEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9086, 21 June 1888, Page 5

THE WRECK OF THE HAWEA.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Wednesday. The magisterial inquiry into the wreck of the steamer Hawea at New Plymouth was commenced to-day before the Resident Magistrate, and Captains Robertson and Fraser, nautical assessors.

Captain Hansby was examined at length, but no new facts were elicited. He attributed the cause of the wreck either to the vessel striking the ground, or the strength of tho wind on the starboard beam. He have come the same course fifty times before. Tho tendency of going ahead after letting go his second anchor would certainly not bo to override the anchor; in fact it would be a matter of impossibility to do so, as the wind, tide, and helm were against it. When once the vessel began to make water it came in very rapidly, but all aft. Twenty minutes or half an hour after she struck there was eight feet of water in the after hold. He considered that it would have been useless to put the engines to work after she struck. If he had done so, he would probably have lost all the blades of his propeller ; as he considered that if there was one small rock in the vicinity there would probably be others. As he had only ninety feet of chain out under the vessel's stern, it would be a mathematical impossibility for her to override her anchor. Witness was anxious for a diver to make an examination of the spot where the Hawea struck, but the weather has been too bad to permit of it during his stay there, and the company's agent had since decided not to have an examination made without the authority of the company on the score of incurring expense. William Waller, chief officer, corroborated the evidence of the captain. Captain Holford, Harbourmaster at New Plymouth, was also examined. Mr. Bell, who appeared for the Customs, intimated that it was his intention to call direct evidence that the vessel had struck upon her own anchor, and asked for an adjournment until Monday, which was granted.; New Plymouth, Wednesday. The wreck of the Hawea was sold in portions, the whole fetching about £300. The hull went for £130, being bought by Mr. A. Ross, New Plymouth, it is supposed for some one outside. Six tons ot pig iron used as ballast fetched £16; two small boats were knocked down for £8 18s and £9 10s respectively ; while the patent anchor fetched £7.