NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16497, 24 March 1917, Page 9

NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

. —*. THE GISBORNE COLLISION. FURTHER EVIDENCE TAKEN. Further evidence was Heard yesterday by the court of inquiry into the circumstances connected with the collision between the Union Steam Ship Company's Arahura and a Home liner in the' Gisborne roadstead on the night of March 1. James Selby, boatswain on the liner, continued his evidence. In answer to Mr. McGregor, he said he was certain that the liner's riding lights were burning. Edward Ruby, quartermaster on the 'Home liner, said he was at the wheel on I the night of the collision. The captain , and third officer were on the bridge. ■ No i compass course was given the witness i when ho heard the captain give the order I "Ahead." A minute later the master ordered "stop," followed by "astern." This was the last order given to the third t officer before the collision. The last order 1 riven the witness was " hard a-starboard," and between that time and the collision i ; he thought the liner's head went about a point to port. i To Mr. Moody: The ship held her < course ahead for about a minute. Ho supposed the liner was going ahead a little at the tirae'of the collision. Samuel Dalrymble, Government inspector of machinery and surveyor of ships at . Auckland, who examined the liner after her arrival in Auckland Harbour, said there was no damage abaft the second frame from the stem. To Mr. McGregor: He had not seen damage exactly tho same where one vessel had gone in stem on to another at nearly right angles. Henry George Lawrence Noy, Govern- ' ment surveyor of ships at Auckland, gave evidence as to having made an examination of the damage caused to the Arahura. ; Captain Dryden, of the Arahura, re- • called, admitted that to his knowledge there was no special man op. "look out" ' duty up to the time of tho collision. The ' chief officer was on tho forecastle head ' superintending the weighing of the anchor and it was the custom in tno ships of the Union Company for this officer to keep a look-out when a vessel was in harbour. ; 'He could not make any suggestions as to a satisfactory method of signalling the movements of ships in Gisborne roadstead. Ralph Morse, signalman in the employ of the Gisborne Harbour Board, said he jaw the liner underweigh, heading to tho west. Evidence was being heard when tho Court adjourned for the day.