MARINE INQUIRY

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4331, 15 April 1901, Page 7

MARINE INQUIRY

LOSS OP THE ARIADNE. PHKSS ASSOCIATION. OAMARU, April 13. The evidence l given to-day in the inquiry into the stranding of tho yacht Ariadne was by the sailers aboard the vessel at the time of the disaster. Herman Wind said on two occasions when in Cook Strait the mate had mentioned to him that if the captain, was going to put the yacht ashore he would try and get some money out of it. Ho had a row with the captain, who had tried to strike witness. The row was over the food supplied to witness, which he said was not cooked. In reply to Mr Hanlon, this witness said he did not pay much attention to the mate when he was the worse* for liquor, and did not think there was any likelihood of the vessel going ashore. Ho never heard the captain gay anything likife that. The yacht was not pushed along m it should have been ■when.they gob into New Zealand waters. Herman WachsmiUi,”bne of the crow, who was steering before Attwood relieved him, said the night nvas not a dark one. It was a “middling light night.” He could see tho land at 7 o’clock as well as the Oamaru light. Ho could also sec tho laud at 8 o’clock. At that time it seemed a mile and a half away. The captain was not on deck at tho time. Ho never heard anyone speaking about stranding the vessel.

To Mr. Hanlon; The witness said he did not report the land because the captain could see it himself. It was not hazy. .... Frank Kesclunitzaki, the lookout man at the time, said be saw the land and the breakers, and, went aft to Attwood, and said, “We’re ashore.” The captain came on dock, and said, .“What’s the matter?” Then the'boats were lowered Eric.J. H. Freko, one of the crew, a guest of the owner, said he was at tho lookout and could not see the land. Witness was there because Kesclimitzski was not considered competent. l It was a very dark night when the vessel went ashore, but not hazy. ' John Harding, the boatswain, said ho could not see the land iust before the vessel struck. He had just relit one of the lights that had gone out. Tho vessel was skilfully and carefully handled f.ill the time of the wreck, and ivas fully found, in every respect. Ho never saw the captain or mate drunk. The Court then adjourned till two o’clock on Monday afternoon. ’