Page 2 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10036, 24 January 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

The magisterial enquiry into the wreck of the barque Grasmere, off Cape Terawhiti, on Christmas Day, was held at Wellington on Wednesday, January Bth, before Mr. Martin, S.M., and Captains Wheeler and Perrain. Nothing fresh was elicited by tho evidence. In giving judgment Mr, Martin said his opinion was that when the master (Captain Morrison) came on deck he found the ship off her course and closo in shore, near Cape Terawhiti, with the wind increasing, and it was his duty then to have so altered the ship's course as to take her clear of all danger, and there was nothing to prevent his doing this. Instead of doing so, he shaped a course, which, supposing it to be steered, was barely sufficient to clear him of danger, Although the wind was increasing, and he was anxious to get the sail off the ship, lie did not call the watch below, but ran about doing odd things on dock, leaving no one to watch the steering, and actually left the deck with no one in charge for a short period, the result being that the ship was not kept clear of danger. The master was iruilty of errors of judgment in not in the lint place laying the course sufficiently to the South, and in the next place in not calling all hands, and devoting attention to the steering; and these errors were the cause of the casualty, The conduct of the mate, Mr. Killingback, was nob free from blame. Ho was ignorant of the ship's actual position, of the sailing directions, and of the force and state of the tide, and had nob the use of a chart, but nevertheless took upon himself to alter the ship's course without orders from, or reference'to, tho master, and without there being any necessity for his doing so. ' Inasmuch as the master was on deck before the -vessel was in actual danger, he could nob hold that the mate's conduct was the cause of the casualty. The two assessors con- • ! curred in the decision. Mr. Martin added that both the master's' and the mate's i certificates would be returned. The master ' bad lost everything, and it would be exces- - f sive punishment if his certificate 'were endorsed, thus preventing him earning his Jiving in the only way in which he was fitted to. do so. The master, however would have to pay the costs of the enquiry' amounting to £17 ss. The mate would 'have to pay bis own costs, ' '