LOSS OF KETCH EDNA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18355, 22 March 1923, Page 9

LOSS OF KETCH EDNA.

AN INEVITABLE MISHAP.

NO BLAME ATTACHABLE.

NAUTICAL COURT'S FINDING.

The Court's finding in connection with the -wreck of the ketch Edna on the beach at'Parengarenga on February 1 was given yesterday, afternoon by Mr. E. C. Cutten. S.m!,' and the assessors, Captains T. Braidwood and I. Corbett. Mr. Meredith appeared for the Marine Department, Mr. Selwyn Mays for the master, and Mr. George ' for the owners of the vessel. The. Court found that the vessel was navigated in a proper and seamanlike manner. The loss of the vessel was due to the fact that she was a small ship making her -way along a lee coast, and that she met with such heavy weather and strong winds landward that she was overwhelmed and could not be saved from going ashore. There was no neglect or default on the part of anyone affecting the casualty, but the Court thought that on going to. sea such a vessel should have had both anchors ready for use. Before the Court reached its decision evidence was given by Captain John Adamson, licensed adjuster of compasses, to the effect that he had adjusted the ship's compass last September, when ho found that in the west-north-west bearing there was a westerly deviation of three degrees. Since then the vessel had been on the slip for overhaul, and it, was possible the new iron bolts and recoppering in the ship had had an interfering effect on the needle. Henry John Burke, master of the Edna, recalled, said he did not think it advisable to pull out from the coast between midnight and 3 a.m., and when, at the latter hour, it occurred tf> him to do so, ho found the task impossible. He knew of no way in which a master could calculate the leeway or drift under the existing conditions in so small a craft. In announcing the Court's decision, Mr. Cutten said the view taken was that the mishap was inevitable. Captain Burke's certificate was returned, and no order wa« made as to costs.