MISHAP TO TUG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23143, 15 September 1938, Page 17

MISHAP TO TUG

COURT OF 'INQUIRY SITTING NEXT WEEK APPOINTMENT OF ASSESSORS A nautical inquiry into the circumstances causing the Auckland Harbour Board's tug Te Awhina to founder near Hobson Wharf on August 11 will be opened in the Magistrate's Court next Wednesday at 10 a.m. The Marine Department has appointed Mr. W. RMcKean, S.M., president of the court of inquiry, with Captain H. R. Hughes, of Devonport, and Captain R. J. Hamilton, of Bluff, as nautical assessors, and Mr. W. H. Parker, of Auckland? as engineer assessor. Mr. McKean, senior stipendiary magistrate in Auckland, has had former experience of nautical inquiry work. Mr. Parker, who is an officer of the Primary Products Marketing Department, was engineer assessor at the inquiry into the loss of the trawler Serfib, which was abandoned in a sinking condition off Open Bay, near the Last Cape, in June, 1933.

Captain Hughes, formerly master of the cable ship Recorder when she was known as the Iris, is one of the bestknown mariners in New Zealand. He has been approached before to act as a nautical assessor in such inquiries, but hitherto his engagements as a New Zealand pilot have prevented him from accepting. Captain Hamilton was for many years assistant harbourmaster and later harbourmaster for the Bluff Harbour Board. At one time he was master of'the coastal vessel Stella. More lately he has been interested in the fishing industry in the Foveaux Strait.

The main point for determination by the court of inquiry will be the fixing of responsibility 'for the mishap. The tup; was assisting to berth the Federal Line's motor-ship. Essex at Central Wharf when she was struck below the water-lino by the starboard propeller of the Essex. Although the crippled tug was rapidly filling with water her master. Captain I). Probert, made a resourceful and partially successful effort to reach shallow >water before she sank. A hole was made in her port side. Salvage of the vessel attracted Auckland's interest for several weeks before she was taken to the Harbour Board's slipway for repairs. It is proposed by the Auckland Harbour Board to conduct its own investigation into the mishap after the nautical inquiry is finished.