THE WAKATIPU-LAIRA COLLISION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1367, 12 May 1898, Page 39

THE WAKATIPU-LAIRA COLLISION.

CAPTAIN AND OFFICERS OF THE STEAMER EXONERATED. Dttnedin, M .y 4. 1 Mr Carew, S.M., gave his decision co-day iu the Wakatipu - Laira collision. Hia Worship said the collision was caused by the Wakatipu making a wrong course after passing pile " 81," and the consequence of •putting the engines full speed astern, probably assisted by dropping tho starboard anchor, was to prevent a c dlision with the phip Canterbury and to cause a collision of much less force with the Laira. The cause of the Wakatipu making a wrong cause was an important question to determine. Captain Smith could only account for it by tho ship "smelling" ground. With a view of ascertaining the depth of water in the upper portion of the ■ channel, three sets of soundings had been taken since the opening of the inquiry, and the results were given in the evidence of Mr Kirby, Mr Hay and Captain Gray. Noue of Mr Hay's soundings covered tin same> ground as those of Mr Kirby or Captain Gray's, and the fact that Mr Hay's soundings generally gave deeper water the other witnesses' show, led to no conflict of evidence, but merely showed tint .the depth was irregular. If at the shallow water between "30" and "31" piles the Wakatipu had suddenly deviated from her course and against her helm, it would have seemed clear that it was caused by shallow water, but she did not deviate as she continued on the same course. She came straight up the channel. The Nautical .Assessor advised him that tho .shallow patch first described was sufficient to account for the ship not responding to her helm, and although it did not divert her fr- m her course, she would Jose steerage way, and before she could recover herself she would near with b>r port bow shallow water above pilo "32." That would again pee vent her from going to port and soon bring her into the position she whs in when the engines wore put full speed ast- en and the anchor dropped Captain Sin- b was justified in expecting to fir.d a minimum depth of 2ft of water under his fchij keel in any part of the channel when k> < ping a proper distance from the line of p;l -•. Mr Carew went on:—I therefore conn- to the conclusion that the collision was can edby tho Wakatipu refusing to answer h. v helm through "smelling*' or touchinggrou- l.and that it is not proved that tho casua'-y was brought about by the wrongful ac! >-t the default of Captain Smith or any t the ship's officer?. To this Captain Boyd (Nauticil .Assessor) adds : i occur in the report, and it appears to me that tho harbour authorities liav<- failed to keep themselves and shipt" isters FufHcipntly informed as to th-> cud ion of ths channel in Mm upper ia; hoir, ■■•hich casts upon eldfni.jstris ir:-p,'n-. lilh-s (bey would v.oi hare to i'leur \i con .;fc ui'orniatiou wens available Captain nith's certificate will he relumed.