THE WRECK OF THE TAIAROA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7542, 20 April 1886, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE TAIAROA

THE MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY.

(Per United Press Association.; Wellington, April 19.

The inquiry was resumed this morning.

Captain Thompson was further examined, and stated that had the lead been cast at 6 p.m. on Sunday it would liave told him that the vessel was too close to the shore. Witness did not give any instructions to the officers to remain under the lee of the ship. All the boats were well found, and five months before had been inspected by the officers of the Marine Department, who sent in a favourable report. James West, the ship's carpenter, said that he. was in charge of the watch on that Sunday afternoon, and was relieved by the second mate at 4 o'clock. At C.20 he saw the land about live or six miles off, which he took to be Waipapa Point. Witness was closely examined on this point, but persisted in his statement. He also said that, expecting a dirty night, he went round and made everything secure. After the ship struck the captain told him to let off some rockets, of which they had about 14. aboard, and a dozen blue-lights. He only let off one rocket and two lights. The chief officer commanded him not to let any more off, as they blinded him. There was a gun on board, but he never saw it on deck all the time he was aboard— viz., 20 months. When the captain's boat was trying to make fast to the line he was dragged head and shoulders into the water, and had to let go the line to which the boats were fastened. It was anew 4-iu Manila rope. There should have been six rowlocks on board the pinnace, but he supposed they had been accidentally knocked overboard. The Taiaroa was of a light draught when she left Wellington. The reason he thought the land he saw at 6.20 was Waipapa was because it was high aud dark, and Waipapa was the only point he knew which would look at all like that. Although he had charge of the afternoon watch he did not hold a mate's certificate.

Captam Thompson (recalled): The line by which the boats were made fast was passed out of the starboard port, near the stein. Each boat's painter was tied to the line, the loose end of which was floating astern. The boats lay under the stem of the vessel, which, as the wind was right ahead, was the lee side of the steamer.

John Mackay, A.8., said he was called at 7 p.m. on the Sunday to go on the look-out. He could see nothing of the land when he went on the forecastle head. Afterwards he went on the bridge, and there thought he could see the loom of the land on the port bow. He spoke to the chief officer about it, and he immediately ran down and called the captain, without leaving any orders. Witness went and helped the man at the wheel to put it hard astarboard. The captain immediately rushed up and put telegraph " Full speed astern." In-a few seconds the steamer struck. West, the carpenter (recalled), said that the r°*wweenh c en emPty drew Bft 3in forward and 10ft 3m aft; when full-she drew lift 3in forward and 13ft 6in aft.

Samuel Dalrymple, engineer, deposed that he was on duty when the boat struck At 715 the telegraph rang "Full speed astern." At that time she was going full speed ahead He at once answered the telegraph and reversed the engines. This took about one minute After the engines were reversed the vessel l*ii v£ he - eQgines were keP* eoing astern tor fully 10 minutes. The vessel was bumping heavjly, and she commenced to make water As soon as he noticed this he went on deck and asked the captain if there was any use in gome astern. The captain told him to go on for I few minutes longer. Witness found on returning to the engine-room that there was 4ft of water iv the room. The captain then ordered the engines to be stopped. The steamer struck under the engine-room or stokehole. Captain Gray, of the Government ■ steamer Stella, deposed to knowing the coast between Wellington andLyttelton. Hehadbeen sailingas master of vessels since 1872. Frequently he had found it necessary to anchor along the coast-line between Kaikoura and Cape Campbell when landing lighthouse stores and telegraph material Witness knew of no currents setting in along this coast. The usual currents in New Zealand were affected by the wind and were generally along the land. With a southerly wind the current would be along the land. He could not say whether three or four hours could make a great difference to a current. A heavy swell would have some effect on a vessel flying light, and would send her in more than a current. He knew of no current independent of the wind By casting the lead 10 fathoms of water could be got half a mile on 5 shore. •

Captain Wills, of the steamer Wakatu, which trades between Wellington and Lyttelton and other places along the coast, deposed that he had been on that line eight or nine years. The current along that coast invariably sets to the north, but would be-afiected by a northerly wind. The current would not be more "than two knots per hour. The currents would be along land, and would be felt with greater strength closer in shore than when six or seven miles off. If it was blowing a hard northerly wind which suddenly changed to the southward, there would be very little current. He had known currents of two miles an hour set in a northerly direction at the approach of southerly gales.

Captain Bendall, surveyorfortheUnderwriters' Association and Lloyd's, deposed to visithi"-the scene of the wreck on the 13th inst. He went on board the Taiaroa and looked at the bridge compass, which showed her to be heading nearly S.S.W. The ship, he estimated, was about a quarter of a mile from Waipapa Point. The forecastle of the Taiaroa was about 40ft from shore at low water. Her stern was about twice as far off. When witness was at the wreck there was a good swell from the southward. They had no difficulty in getting on board. There was no danger in landing at the beach inside the vessel when he was there. It would, however, not be safe to land to the northward. He went over the ship and inspected the cabins. The top berths on the starboard side were dry; * Since witness first came to New Zealand, which was 26 years ago, he had heard that there were currents on that part of the coast where the Taiaroa was wrecked, but he had never experienced any sufficiently strong, to interfere with a vessel picking up expected headlands. Witness was not in a posjtion to say whether it was safe to lay in boats alongside the steamer, nor whether it would have been safe to land with a heavier sea than when he was there. The vessel was listing to port eight or ten degrees, and did not appear to be injured.

At this stage Mr Bell, for the Marine Department, applied for a fortnight's adjournment, in order to give him time to produce evidence. The Court granted the request, and adjourned until May 3.