THE RINGAROOMA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1189, 14 December 1894, Page 34

THE RINGAROOMA.

Sydney, December 9. At the court-martial into the stranding of H.M.S. Ringarooma, the case for the prosecution has closed, Captain Johnson and Lieutenants Chetwynd and McDonald have begun their de-,. fence. Captain Johnson asserts that the ship was carried off her course by currents, that Lieutenant Chetwynd did not lay the proper course, that Lieutenant McDonald altered the course without informing or consulting him. There would, he declares, have been no accident had a proper lookout been kept. Lieutenant Chetwynd reserved his statement until a later stage. Lieutenant McDonald admitted having made a technical error in not calling the captain when land was sighted, but explained that he was. under the impression that he did not wish to be called unless in case of urgency. He also admitted altering the course, but asserts that it only had

the effect of keeping the ship further from danger. Sydney, November 10. The court-martial in connection with the stranding of H.M.S. Ringarooma found the charges against Captain Johnson proved, inasmuch as the course steered after the vessel passed Dip Point was not stated by the hour order-book, and he took no steps to check the course laid down by the navigating officer. The Court also considered that the captain did. not satisfy himself of the safety of the ship. The charge against Lieutenant Chotwynd was proved, as he laid down a course which for no apparent reason led much nearer to the land than was necessary. That officer also neglected to remain on deck while the vessel was in close proximity to thS land. The Court also found that the charge against Lieutenant McDonald had been proved, as he failed to call the captain and inform him of the ship’s dangerous proximity to land, although he considered it necessary for the safety of the vessel to alter her course. DECISION OF THE COURT. Captain Johnson was severely reprimanded by the Court, and admonished to be more careful in future. Lieutenant Chotwynd was severely reprimanded, and dismissed from his commission on the Ringarooma. Lieutenant McDonald was also severely reprimanded. __ . The Court expressed its appreciation of the energy and ability displayed by the captain and ship’s company in extricating the vessel from the reef on which she stranded.