MARINE INQUIRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18320, 10 August 1921, Page 9

MARINE INQUIRY

CALM-ROTHESAY BAY COLLISION. PROCEEDINGS ADJOURNED TILL TU-MCRROW. The marine court ot inquiry into the circumstances ot the collision which took place between the Calm find the Rothesay Bay in the Lower Harbour on July 7 last sat again in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Mr 11. V. VV iddowson, S.M., presided, and was accompanied by Captain Bundstrum as assessor. Mr P. B. Adams appeared for Captain Beaumont on behalf ot the Marine Department, Mr J. C. Stephens for the Harbour Board, Mr A. C. Hanlon for Captain T. Braidwood (master of the Calm), and Mr S. Solomon, K. C., for the owners and master (Thomas Campbell) of the Rothesay Bay. Two inquiries are officially placed before the court by Contain Beaumont, of the Marine Department. One concerns the collision between the Rothesay Bay and the Calm at 5.45 p.m. on July 7 at a point in the channel of the Lower Harbour, opposite Carey s Bay, a collision by which both vessels were materially damaged. Ihe cause of this casualty so far as the applicant (Captain Beaumont) has at present ascertained is that, the steamship Calm was not keeping euliicicntiy to the starboard side ot the channel or lairway, and in consequence collided with the barque Rothesay Bay, which was then riding at anchor abreast of Carey’s Bay, and that a sufficient look-out was not kept on the steamsmp Ualm. The other inquiry concerns the report that the Calm was, on June 29 last, materially damaged through grounding while in the Wanganui River at a point just below the Gas Company s whorl. The President said he understood the parties in the case wanted an adjournment. Mr Adams said the position was that one of the vessels —the Calm —had not yet arrived, though she was expected that afternoon. The President: Was it delayed by the storm ? Someone suggested that this was merely the calm before the storm.

Mr Adams said that so far as the department was concerned they could start at any time the vessel was there. He thought the matter would have to bo done in somewhat of a hurry to let the ship away. The President: So far as I am concerned I could sit to-morrow. Mr Solomon: Wo axe quite indifferent, your Worship. The President (abstractedly): I am one of those unfortunate beings that could not get a ticket. Mr Stephens (eagerly): We could arrange that, sir. Mr Hanlon. The Harbour Board says it could arrange that, sir. I must strongly object! . The President: Another matter is thot w« have not got the other assessor appointed. This court is not properly constituted. . Mr Adams; We ought to get a reply back to-day appointing Captain Mumby. Mr Stephens said that he had put off till Thursday an important engagement involving the convenience of a dozen other persons. ihe President: Wo axe all in the same boat. I have put off all defended cases in the Magistrate s Court. Mr Stephens suggested making a very early start next morning, but the President said he did not think it was any use starting for half a day. The inquiry was then adjourned till 10.15 to-morrow morning. The President mentioned that one of the inquiries had reference to the Calm grounding in the Wanganui River on June 29. Mr Hanlon: I never heard of this thing! Mr Stephens: You will hear a lot about it before this is over. The President: Will you ask the court to view the locus in quo? Mr Adams said it might suit the Calm to have the matter dealt with at once while the court was sitting. The damage became apparent in the preliminary inquiry. It had never been reported. He took it that the others concerned might chose whether they would have it dealt with now or left #ver to some other time.