STRANDING OF STEAMER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20960, 25 February 1930, Page 9

STRANDING OF STEAMER

CHARGES AGAINST CAPTAIN. INSOBRIETY ALLEGED. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, February 24 (Received Feb. 24, at 11 p . m .) Charges of insobriety against Captain Malcolm M Donald, master of the steamer Luciston, were made at the Commonwealth Court of Inquiry.which is investigating the stranding of, that vessel at Ocean Island on Deeembei 27* ■ The vessel recently reached Sydney, and the arc Uteij to co&t 13000 ~M a« b ew Aaaorson, the first officer, In his evidence, said that when the Luciston struck the reef the master was on the bridge intoxicated. The cause of the accident was the putting of the helm the wrong way. Witness denied that he had a vendetta against M'Donald with the ultimate object of getting command of the vessel himself, 5 Hugh Purdy, the chief engineer, in his evidence, stated that the master was drank when the Luciston hit the reef His behaviour was peculiar, and he was acting the fool. . \ Thomas Young, the second officer, deposed that the master- appeared to be sober before and after the vessel stranded. The inquiry was adjourned.