FOG DRAMA AT SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22709, 23 October 1935, Page 7

FOG DRAMA AT SEA

COLLISION DISASTER CABIN RIPPED OPEN Dramatic moments that occurred when two liners groping through dense fog vainly tried to avoid each other were described at the recent inquest at Bottle on six seamen. The victims belonged to the crew of the Star liner Laurentic, and lost their lives when the bow of the cargo liner Napier Star ripped through the cabin in which they were sleeping. Thev were: A. J. Bellis, P. D. Murray, J. Nutthall. D. Stewart, W. H. Holcroft and T. Roberts. The crash occurred when the Laurentic was in the Irish Sea, 60 miles out of Liverpool, and had more than 600 holiday makers on board for a fortnight's cruise in northern waters. Sir Samuel Brighouse, England's oldest coroner, conducted the inquest, and pointed out that the jury was concerned only with the cause of death. Captain William Sewell Quinn, master of the Laurentic, stated his vessel left Liverpool at 6.49 p.m. on August 17, and he was on the bridge until midnight, when he left the junior chief officer, Mr 0. N. Tugwell, and the third officer, Mr Chambers, on the bridge. The collision occurred at 2.32 a.m. " I was below in my cabin," added Captain Quinn, "when at 2.29 I heard our ship's whistle blow a long blast. I went on deck and saw we were in a fairly thick fog. We could see about two ship's lengths. I saw the Napier Star on our starboard bow. I gave the order ' Hard aport,' but it was too late, and the other ship struck our starboard bow and backed away." Mr H. G. Wihner, representing the Blue Star, Ltd.: Did you hear three short blasts from the other ship? Captain Quinn: Yes, while I was on the bridge. Junior First Office Oliver Tugwell, of Ramsburv, Wiltshire, who was in charge. stated that at 2.29 a.m. he heard one long whistle blast from the other ship, but could not see her. He could then see about two miles. The Laurentic was travelling at from 15} to 16 knots. Coroner: It would take you about eight minutes to travel the two miles you could see. How do you account for the collision occurring at 2.32? Mr Tugwell: You have to take into account the rate of speed the other vessel was travelling. • Did one long blast mean "I am in fos:"?—Yes. Did you reply by one long blast?— Yes. I answered. It meant there was somebody else about. You told the engine room man to stand bv. Then you heard one short blast. What did that mean?—That he was altering his course to starboard. Coroner: That would mean you would have to go to port?—No, I could not see the other ship. I am not going to alter a ship's course unless I can see the ship I am altering for. Are you not supposed to? —No. Wha't happens if you are both in fog? —According to the regulations he has no right to blow an alteration of course unless he can sec. These signals are for vessels in sight of one another. That is laid down as a Board of - Trade regulation. , . ~ , Mr Wihner: Was it not a fact that when tho other ship sounded a short blast she was in sight of and seeing you? —We did not see her. The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of "death by misadventure" in each case, without comment.