THE TAKAPUNA CASE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3005, 17 December 1896, Page 4

THE TAKAPUNA CASE.

Enquiry into Alleged Stranding ot the Steamer. A Magisterial enquiry was held yesterday before Me A. Greenfield, S.M., and Captains ' Wheeler and Von Schoen, Nautical Advisors, into the supposed stranding of the Takapuna on Motu Ngara Island, off Guard’s Bay, Mr Gully appeared for the Collector of Customs, Mr D. McKcllar, and Mr C. P. Skorrott for Captain Grant. Charles Ystes Pell* barrister, whC was a passenger on the Takapuna on the occasion referred to, was the first witness, and deposed that in the early morning he was awakened by a violent shaking, and hoard tho engines going as though they were bring reversed. Ho looked one oi tho port-hole of his cabin, and made out that the steamer was abreast ot tho eastern end of Motu Ngara, which is some miles to tho west of Alligator Point. The island was on the port aide of the ship, afid ho oould see what ho took to be Alligator Point astern and Stephen’s Island light ahead, both on tho port side. Tho night was fine, and ho oould clearly see the-island; There was no wet or fog, and he did not see any reefs. Ho did not know of any Casualty . having happened. Tho night might bo described as a night With a light breeze and base.

John Grant* captain of tho.Takapuna, deposed that the vessel left Pictcii at £.5 p.m. pn, December 3rd. On thh. way to Nelson. Jaeksaa’o Head.-was-passed at just after midnight. He was in charge at tho, time, but it was the second mate’s watch. Ho remained on dock for about 10 minutes after passing tho head, and then went to his cabin. Tho. course givdti to tho second officer was to take tho vessel a mile outside Motu Ngara Island. When the steamer Mawhera was passed, he altered tho coarse to a quarter-point outside tho usual course, and this should havo taken the vessel one mile And a.half outside the inland, .lie £aVo orders to be called When Motu NgAra was being neared. When ho was called somQ time, afterwards, ho saw a point that looked like .the island, but found out afterwards that it must have boon : Capo Lambert. Assuming that he was opposite Motu Ngara ho altered his course so as to go outside the Chotwodo Islands, but as tho latter were not shoeing up as usual, the holm•vas put hard over to starboard, and ho signalled to tho engine-room “Stand by.” . Ho thou saw tho, roof ahead a black lino standing about. a foot out of water. The. steamer was about 200 . yards Off the reef, • and ho ordered Pull speed astern.” Ho first thought that the vessel touched, but after seeing her on the slip ho was certain that she did not. It would bo difficult to toll whether she touched at tho time owing to tho vibration of the vessel caused by tuo engines. Ho reported at Nelson that alio had struck. Tho second. ofliQor, the man at the Wheel find the look-out man were on the dock. NouC of thorn .saw the reof. The cailse of tlio paint being off the keel was through tuo steamer fouling a chain of a buoy in Now Plymouth harbour. Ho was sure it was not caused by the steamer touching the reef. Tho weather at tho time of the latter occurrence was hazy. .Cross-examined by Mr Skorrett; The night was hazy ; sufficiently so to alter the look of tha points, and headlands.. He Was certain tho steamer; had Hot touched* : .Charles Baokatroal, sedond officer of the TekapUna, who was on watch at the time of the occurrence, deposed that hia orders were ,to. call the captain when Motu Ngara was reached.. Tho land was not very distinct, and when, ho saw what he took to be Motu Ngara ho called tho captain* who came on deck. This Was at 12.4-0 a.m. At four minutes past 1 o’clock tho vessel, no thought, touched on what ho took to be Motu Ngara. The captain gave orders to call all hands. The vessel was sounded, but she was not making any water. The vessel was steaming about 11 knots an hour, at the time of tho occurrence. Witness had mistaken Capo Lambert for Motu Ngara. Ho had had a number of years* experience on tho coast. Witness sounded the wells, but no water had been taken in.

John Trotman, seaman on the Takapuna, deposed that he was at the wheel from midnight on December 3rd, and gave the courses steered by him. When the order was given to go astern he did not sec the roof, and did not feel any shook. Richard Hart, seaman on the Takapuna, gave evidence and stated that ho was look-out man on the night in question. After passing Jackson’s Hoad he was-on the forecastle hoad. Ho did not see the reef until the engines Were being reversed, John Finlay son, an engineer on the Takapnna, deposed that he was on duty on the night ot December 3. Early beat morning an drdor was giVen to reverse the engines, and shortly afterwards be felt two slight bumps. Walter Smith, diver, deposed that ho examined the bottom of the Takapuna on December 4, but could see no sign of injury. About 10 feet from the bow the paint on the keel plates had boon scratched olf, and in another place further along the keel* In the first place tile sciatobing had been done more than a Week before, as the iron had rusted, hnd on the second place the iron was covered with small barnacles. He was certain the injury had not been done the previous day. This concluded the case for the Collector of Customs. The case was then adjourned till Saturday for legal argument.