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New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 6956, 7 September 1883, Page 5

These were all the witnesses. Captain Carey was asked if he wished to call any evidence, but be said that he did not. Mr Caro n said they would give their decision on Monday. THE RESULT OF THE INQUIRY. Dunedis, August 13. The Court of Inquiry re the Rotomahana’a recent accident on the Otnra ree f , delivered their decision to-day. They find that the grounding of the steamer and consequent damage appeared by the evidence to have been caused by—first, the unexpected strength of the current setting in toward shore ; second, misjudging by Captain Carey of the distance from the shore at 3 a.m.; third, the apparent projecting of the reef from the coast much further thau shown by the chart. They find that the nature of the loss or damage done was injury to the hull of ship to the extent of £4OOO or £5000; First, the grounding was partly due to the currents continuing to run to the eastward longer than anticipated after the ebb tide had made, hence taking the port bow of the steamer and setting her further to the shore than the estimated distance. Second, atmospheric conditions led the commander to misjudge distance, and the omission to heave the lead at 3 o’clock left his mistake as to distance from Slope Point undetected. In

aclditi >n to these tvo causes for striking. it seemed probab-e, from the evidence uf the commander uud the knova opinion of other navisator-q tli-t the Pinnacle Rock 3, between which the steamer was so skilfully handled, extend much farther seaward thwau marked on the chart. The evidence of the commander and officers tended to show that a want of knowledge of wind and weather off southern ports of the colony is a drawback to s?.f© navigatiou between them* and, owing to these not being telegraphed between the Bluff and Dunedin, high wind off the coast would be unknown, and hence due allowance forita influence em the currents cannot be made. It seemed probable the current off the coast was influenced in the case of the Rotomahana by a gale of wind, said to have prevailed previous to her reaching Waipapapa, and only reported on her reaching the Bluff after striking ground. The evidence further indicated that the dangers of this part of the coast would be lessened, if not wholly removed, by the erection of a lighthouse on Waipapapa, which would be assisted by placing a luminous bell-buoy onthe dangerous Toby Rock. The Court also wished to bring to notice tne apparent absence of Government encouragement similar to that given by the Board of Trad© for Great Britain for officers of ships registered in this colony making- themselves familiar with judging distances from shore by day and night, taking the bearing of headlands, lights, fee., ascertaining the speed of the ship from the engine revolutions, taking frequent observations (amplitudes, altitudes, &c.), and keeping log or notebook of same, believing from the evidence adduced that such practice would tend to make them expert navigators, and hence lessen, the risk of shipping casualties on this coast. Heaving the lead when near shore would also be of great advantage, and the result as to depth and nature of bottom, would, if pencilled on the charts, form a valuable guide fer future navigation. Thirdly, the Court expressed satisfaction at the clear evidence given by Captain Carey and the officers of the Rotomahana, and likewise called attention the zealcui promptitude and skill with which every precaution was taken to secure the safety of the passengers and ship after the reef had been struck, Tho evidence conclusively showed that, with the- single exception of omitting to take soundings at 3 o’clock, when ’.Captain Carey considered it necessary to change the ship’s course, he acted in all respects as a careful navigator and experienced commander, and the discipline of the ship reflected credit ou all her officers. The nautical assessors concurred in this judgment.