THE STRANDING OF THE PENGUIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12602, 4 March 1903, Page 5

THE STRANDING OF THE PENGUIN.

(Per United Press Association'.) WELLINGTON, March 3. Dr M'Axlhur, S.M., sitting with Captains Wadditove and Smith, assessors, held am inquiry to-day into .the circumstances under which the Union Company's steamer Penguin grounded of? Waibi Point, JselcEon's Head, on tho niglit of February 26. Captain M'Arthur, master of tho versel, deposed that ho ran into a. thick fog at 11.53 p.m. Ho immediately gave the order to stop, ami "was preparing to drop a.nciior v/'icn the vessel gently glided on to a 'ledgo of kelp-covcrcd rocks, 'i'here were five fathoms of water astern amd three and a-half forward. Tlio vessel was fast just amidships. It" was impossible to seo anything at the time. Tlio vessal eamo off at high water, six hour.} later. 7'ho fog had come down suddenly off the hills. Up till its appearance tho weather had been clear. Tho navigation of tho Sounds wot difficult, trying and hazardous at -night, as there wsro no lights, ■ Corroborative evidence was given by members "of the nrev/. The court found that the mishap was due to a denso fog enveloping tlio ship at a critics! moment. The court acquitted the captain and officers of any blame whatever, and considered their conduct after tho mishap worthy of all praiso.