WRECK OF THE BERLIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13886, 25 April 1907, Page 7

WRECK OF THE BERLIN.

BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY.

Press Associfttion-By Telegraph—Copyright.

LONDON, April 24. (Received April 24, at 11,23"p.m.) 1110 finding of the Board of Trade inquiry into the 10-s of tho steamer Berlin is to the effect that the disaster wns due to the master's error of judgment in entering a'new waterway in the weather conditions prevailing and not making sufficient allowanco for the wind and Sea?

Tho greatest disaster recorded in tho long history ot the Channel service occurred to tho Great Eastern Railway Company's steamer Berlin 011 February 21 011 her passago from Harwich to the Hook of Holland She left Parkest-on quay, Harwich, witli about, 91 passengers and a. crew of 52 on ■ward. The weather when sho put to sea was wild and stormy-so wild, indeed, that ilm wifo of on-o of the -passengers prevailed npon him not to risk crossing, and thus saved his life. A large number of people owe their safety to having missed tho boattrain or the boat, or at the last moment changed their minds. But the night wns clear,- and .(here was no presentiment o[ danger among those who watched her departure. .It was about 6 a.m. when the vessel was sighted approaching the jetties which protect tho entrance to the Hook Harbour. The entrance is difficult in rough weather, and a few minutes later she went ashore, apparently after striking one of the jetties. Under tho horrified eyes of the cpectators her hull was seen to. break in two. The -foro part sank almost at once. Among the ill-fated passengers who went down with tho Berlin was Mr A. Herbert 011 c of the King's Messengers.