GISBORNE COLLISION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9619, 27 March 1917, Page 5

GISBORNE COLLISION

TXQUIKT STILL DRAGGING UX Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 26. At the nautical inquiry to-day, Francis George Alabb, third officer of the Arahura, giving evidence, stated that he was on the bridge at the time of the accident. He saw the Home liner move, and the master then gave the order, “Hard-a-poirt,” and stopped the engines. The Arahura swung to starboard about two points, and the other ship followed up. The more the Arahura went. to starboard the more the other ship followed up. Just a little before tho impact she was put full speedahead and hard-a-star-board. Witness promptly transmitted these orders. The Arahura had passed the bows of tho AVimmera only a few seconds when the order was given, “Hard-a-port.”. Immediately afterwards witness was ordered to stop both engines. When tho Arahura passed tho Wimmera these two Vessels were perhaps two hundred yards apart. John Donald Nicholson, A.B. on the Arahura, who was at the wheel, gave evidence ns to the orders received. The liner appeared to be following tho Arahura. When starboarded ho noticed the green and mast light on the liner. When he went to tho wheel he did not see any riding lights on her, and he was ,under the impression she was moving. , Captain R. Cliff, instructor of navigation at Auckland, gave evidence as to the damage to the Arahura. Tho inquiry, was adjourned till Wednesday. . ■