WRECK OF TONGARIRO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16338, 19 September 1916, Page 6

WRECK OF TONGARIRO.

COMPLETE DISAPPEARANCE. WRECKAGE STREWS THE SEA. LITTLE HOPE OF SAVING CARGO. [BT telegraph.—HtESS ASSOCIATION.] NAPIER. Monday. According to telephone advice received in Napier, the Tongariro is now completely under water. Tho bow of the vessel, which clung to the rocks so long, suffered badly from heavy weather during the last few days. All that can be. seen at lowtide is the "horns" of Bull Rock above the water. The sea in tho vicinity if strewn with wreckage, mostly timber, hut very little cargo. Mr- Cato, local manager of the NewZealand Shipping Company, to-day expressed the opinion that there would be little or no sound cargo saved from tho sea- It is reported that there was a large quantity of wood floating about near Bull Rock, comprising portions of the vessel and timber with which the Tongariro was fitted up as a troopship. Mr. Cato remarked that the vessel had been broken up very quickly, and the rough bottom of the sea-bed in the vicinity meant that there would be very little possibility of saving any further cargo. He does not I think further efforts will bo made by diving, the spot being too exposed to the weather. EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY. STATEMENTS BY TWO MASTERS. \EY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Monday. The Marine Court of Inquiry into the Joss of the Tongariro sat specially to-day to take the evidence of Captain Hemming, master of the steamer Rimutaka, who stated that ho had made a great number of voyages along tho East Coast. Tho course ho usually set was ten miles off Ariel Rocks and Castlepoint Light. A course of miles from Ariel Rocks should clear Bull Rock. Ho considered that tho course taken by Captain Makepeace was a' safe ono in fine weather. There was nothing rash or imprudent in going to clear Bull Rock by two miles.

You think the captain was justified, in all the circumstances, in taking the course ho did?— Yes, in daytime. Is it an advantage to be near tho coast in daytime, when the weather is clear?— It is, because you can then pick up Castlepoint Light in a parallel position. Frequently it is not picked up in misty weather in daytime. I always go within three miles of Bull Rock. It is shown that the vessel was a mile in on her course at Gable End Foreland. Is that a remarkable circumstance ?—I have not noticed it. Is it possible or probable that the ship would make that leeway with steering ?— It is, with wind in certain directions. In such case a course nothing to westward would be all right. You would not think two miles safe with simply dead reckoning to go by? I would not. A master expects bearings to be taken by his officers. It is a standing order to them to take bearings approaching any point. As a rule I would ask the officer on duty, "How is she coming down?" or something of that kind, when Igo on tho bridge. In approaching Bull Rock I would see that tho red sector was picked up at the right time. I would make inquiries in connection with it from tho officer of the watch. John Flynn, master of the steamer Wanaka, said he was familiar with the East Coast of the North Island. He agreed that a course to take a vessel two miles off Bull Rock was a safe and prudent one. He generally passed Ariel Rocks five miles away, allowing two to three miles to clear Bull Rock- He went round Castlepoint ten miles away on the day before the wreck. Passing the locality, he noticed that a set had Qeen produced by the strong north and northeast wind, and he passed Portland Island only four miles instead of sis miles and uhalf away. MATERIAL FOR GOVERNMENT. PORTION OF LOST CARGO. [by TELEGBATH.— ASSOCIATiO.f.J WELLINGTON. Monday. The cargo lost in the Tongariro included a largo quantity of material for Government Departments—Railways, Defence, Public Works, Telegraph, and Printing Office; also bronze and silver coins.