TEE ACCIDENT TO THE FIFESHIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10021, 7 January 1896, Page 5

TEE ACCIDENT TO THE FIFESHIRE.

NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

[by tklkohapii.—press association.] Christchorch, Monday. A magisterial inquiry was held concerning the stranding of the Fifeshire, on Btb December, at Lyttelton to-day, before Mr, Beet-bam, S.M., and Captains Bone and Von Schoen, Nautical Assessors. The opinion expressed by the witnesses was that the mishap was caused by a strong current sotting in-shore, whiob carried tho vessel, which was standing off and on, towards the land rapidly. The Court, in giving judgment, expressed tho opinion that Captain Wilson committed a grave error of judgmont in standing in towards the land without ousting the lead, but depended entirely for his position upon the assumed distance the vessel had run. Tho action of the oaptain and officers after the ship struck was all that could be desired, and was in overy way to bo commended. The certificates of the first, second, and third officers were returned, as the Court considered the captain was solely responsible for the accident, and his certificate would be suspended for throe months, and he would be called upon to pay tho costs, £19 17s 6d. The Court also wished to express the opinion that the soundings were altogether incorrectly or insufficiently marked on tho charts of tho New Zealand coast.