ROTHESAY BAY-CALM. COLLISION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18323, 13 August 1921, Page 13

ROTHESAY BAY-CALM. COLLISION.

INQUIRY CONTINUED. The magisterial inquiry into the collision in tho lower harbour between the barque Rothesay Bay and the steamer Calm on July 7 was continued yesterday morning before Mr H. Y. Wicidowson, fci.M. (president) and Captains Sundstrum and Mumby (assessors). Mr F. B. Adams appeared for tho Marine Department, Mr S. (Solomon, K.C., and Mr 11. Brasch for the owners and master of tlie Rothesay Bay, Mr A. C. Hanlon for the master of the Calm, Mr .1. C. Stephens for tho Harbour Board, and Captain Beaumont, local marine superintendent, on behalf of the Marino Department. Andrew David Fendick, first officer of the Rothesay Bay, stated that he was on hoard the Rothesay Bay when she entered tlie Otago Heads. Tho vessel came to an anchor below Port Chalmers at 5.15 p.m. Captain Duncan, the pilot, was in charge of tho vessel at that time, and witness received an order from him to let go tho anchor. The starboard anchor was used. Tho vessel was just moving, and over-rode tho anchor. Thirty fathoms of chain was lot out. The vessel’s head was pointing towards Port Chalmers when tho anchor was lot go. When the anchor was let go the vessel was showing the side lights, and he saw these taken in as soon as the anchor was let go. He saw tho riding lights hung out. That was immediately after tho side lights were taken in. Before going below ho saw where tho riding lights wore hung. 'The forward light was hung on the forward swifter of the starboard rigging, which was the usual place. The forward riding light on a sailing vessel was usually hung on fV> fore rigging This light was hung at, 28ft above tho deck. Ho measured tho distance himself about a wfek ago. Ho made a measurement within a few days after tho accident. Ho was present when it was measured by Captain ,Fraser. The after light was hung on tho spanker boom lift, which was tho usual place. It was about Bft from tho poop deck, which was about 3ft Tin from tho main deck. Witness was down below when he hoard a crash, and on coming on deck saw a steamer a couple of lengths away on tho starboard side. He thought she would be heading straight for Carey’s Bay. As ho came on deck he noticed tho riding lights burning. Cross-examined by Mr Hanlon, witness said it was necessary to have the aft light 15ft lower than tho forward light. The lights were not hung out haphazard. Ho was sure the forward riding light was more titan 20ft.

Cross-examined by Mr Solomon, witness stated that he was positive the riding lights were up before the accident. They had been up half an hour before. When Captain Fraser carno aboard next day, Gliddon, the man who had hung the lights, was unable to point out whero he actually put the forward light. Charles Gliddon, able seaman, stated that he received an order to come on duty before the anchor was dropped. That would be about 5.15 p.m. He had nothing to do with putting out the side lights, blit had to do with putting up the riding lights. He put, them up just as the anchor was dropped. The chief officer (Fendick) told him to hang the one light higher up. M itness described just where he hung the lights. He saw the cable leading forward, and the vessel was not straining at her cable. It would bo two or three minutes between the time he first saw tho Calm masthead light and the collision. Tho Calm’s light was then practically at the port bow of the Rothesay Bay. It was tho utter-mast light he would see. The President; I cannot understand how he did not see the light before if he was on tho lookout.

Witness explained that ho was standing looking at the people on the barque fishing. He was not looking over the port side of the vessel. It was tho shock of tho collision that drew his attention. After the collision he went to the forecastle head. Tho Calm struck them right across tho bow on the port side. He hailed the steamer, but go no reply. To Mr Hanlon; Had hung out the riding lights on many previous occasions. He heard a steamer whistle. The Calm knocked tho bowsprit off the Rothesay Bay, and went straight on for a short distance.

To Mr Solomon: Witness was one of the crew under Shackleton in the Antarctic expedition, and had also been in New Zealand Government steamers. All he heard was one blow of the whistle, and that came from .somewhere up the port. Thomas Braidwood. master cf the Cairn, (dated that the vessel was insured for £14.500. and was owned b'- the Canterbury Steamship Company. On July 7 the Calm left Dunedin on a voyage to Bluff. He got instructions, when he lelt Dunedin, that the Breeze was anchored in Port, awaiting until they cleared the Victoria channel. He saw tho Breeze, and passed her within hailing distance —about 150 ft. He could at that time distinguish tho lights in the harbour quite easily. He passed the Breeze and kept to mid-channel. Witness was on tho bridge, also tho chief officer. The first he saw of the Rothesay Bay was tho foremast looming up ahead of him. HLs speed would be about 8 knots. Ho was going full speed at the time of the collision. He saw no lights on tho Rothesay Bay. Tho tide was young ebb, but was not sufficiently strong to bring the barque fore an aft the channel. On seeing the barque he put his helm hard astarboard. He was alone on tho bridge when tho collision took place. The chief officer left the bridge after they passed tho Breeze. The Calm’s stem struck the Rothesay Bay’s bowsprit about sft outside the gammon. The stem head of the Rothesay Bay ran along the plates of the Calm. The Rothesay Bay was headed in towards Carey’s Bnv. She was Iving right across the channel, at right angles to the course the Calm was steering. It was 1C minutes to 6 when he struck the Rothesay Bay. ’ He did not hail the Rothesay Bay. but heard her hail him. The Calm proceeded down the bay to Pulling Point. He went so tar to get channel room to slue his ship round. lie came back and ai.diored. On returning lie saw that, the Rothesay Bay bad tho usual anchor lights burning. About 25 minutes elapsed from the time of tho collision until tie passed the barque aga : n. He saw her stern lights when he turned round to come back. Before the collision he blew his whistle once only. That was ivhen ho was off the pilot station for tho purpose of letting tho pierrnaater know that the channel was clear. One plate of the Calm was pierced and another dented or. the starboard bow, and some frames were broken. There was nothing in the collision which would account for damage to the rudder and to the propeller. Ho knew of nothing that would account for this damage unless it was the usual grounding in the Wanganui River, When ho returned after the collision I lie barque was heading towards Port Chalmers, and lie d.d not see any lights in her Iront holes. Examined by Mr Solomon witness said tho Calm left Dunedin at 4.55 p.m. for the Bluff, and lie imped la make there tho next afternoon, jie had plenty at time to get there. It was the custom to Mow me whistle at Port CnaliTKrs to notify that the upper channel wa.-. clear. Ho aainitted that the second officer was given a message at Dunedin by a Harbour Board official to lev. the Breeze- know’ that, he was out of the channel. Where the Rothesay Bay was anchored was the usual anchorage ground. He knew it well. He would deny that instead of his vessel being out. in mid blroiim it was close lo the Port Chalmers whan es. Mr Solomon: People say you were so close to the. wharf mat mey thought you were going into Carey’s Bay. Thais nonsense, Mr Solomon: Did you not know tho course you were steering would lead you straight on tho anchorage ground?—We have to travel over the anchorage ground coming in and going out. Mr Solomon : Do you not know that it is your duty to stop on tho starboard side of the channel?—Vos; passing vessels. Mr Solomon: No; not at all. What wore vou doing on lhe port side of that channel that night in the dark ?—The channel is only 800yds. 1 was navigating the fairwav. Mr Solomon: Why could yon not have well away from this vessel?—l cannot suggest any reason why I could not have Lyn. Mr Solomon : Because you did not know she was there, it did not mallei. If [ had known she was there I would have slowed down and kent my ship away. Mr Solomon: Was there any obligation f>n anyone to till you there was a x*essel there.—There wa* an obligation upon someone to toll me there was a vessel there • the Otago Harbour Board. Witness, further examined, stated that bo was hailed. ‘What ship is that?” and to that he made no reply. His duty was to get his “bin into r-osition. Mr Solomon; Don’t vou know that it is a recognised rule amongst shipmasters that when one ship strikes another and the shin struck hails the other that ship should answer so and so?--Yes. but under extenuating circumstances it was my duty to sit ship book into position.

Mr Solomon : Did you hail him (Rothesay Buy’s captain) or make inquiries?—No. Witness later said that if Mr Solomon wanted to shorten the proceedings ho would say that. Carey’s Bay was not ;i safe place to anchor a ship at night time. lie used all due care.

The president: When you came past the Breeze—lsoft away (Witness: About that) you said you could see her quite plainly? It was not so dark then as when you struck this vessel? —It was only two minutes difference in time. He added that ho had not often,found vessels anchored there.

Examined by Mr Stephens, witness said he had been informed a good many times that a ship was anchored in the stream at Port Chalmers. It was only a matter of At tiiis stage tho enquiry was adjourned to this morning at 10 o’clock.