THE WRECK OF THE HAWEA.
DECISION OF THE COURT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. The inquiry into the wreck of the s.s. Hawea was continued this morning. Geo. Rind, engineer to the New Plymouth Harbour Board, gave evidence, and proved having swept the bottom of the harbour with a chain about the locality where the Hawea is supposed to have struck, and finding no obstruction. On the following day he was told by a Maori that a rock existed about 400 feet inshore from where the Hawea lies. He examined the place and found a rock. John Bell, diver, proved having made a thorough survey of the bottom, but he found nothing. This closed the case for the prosecution. Mr. Edwards said he would call no evidence for the defence. The Court then adjourned till the afternoon, when Mr. Gully addressed the Court on behalf of the Customs, Mr. Samuel on behalf of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, and Mr. Edwards on Captain Hansby's behalf. The Court, after an hour-and-a-half's deliberation, returned the following verdict: —" That the master of the Hawea had been informed by the harbourmaster that it was safe for him to bring in his vessel at halfpast six a.m. ; than the usual leading lights were exhibited, and the ship brought in on the fair-way line in a good position ; that the starboard anchor was let go, and the ship almost immediately struck lightly on the port bilge abaft the engine-room ; that she struck again several times heavily, and soon began to fill, and became a total wreck; that she struck the bottom about 150 feet to the eastward of the fairway line, but whether a rock or hard sandbank, or any other substance, there is no evidence to show, but from a consideration of the evidence on the whole we are satisfied she did not strike upon her own anchor; that the master is not to blame, as he took all proper precaution for the safety of his vessel in bringing her into harbour." Captain Hansby was handed back his certificate. The Court made no order for costs.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9098, 5 July 1888, Page 5
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352THE WRECK OF THE HAWEA. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9098, 5 July 1888, Page 5
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