THE WRECK OF THE VENTNOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 13

THE WRECK OF THE VENTNOR.

DECISION OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY. WELLINGTON, November 18. A telegram has been 6ent to the magistrate at Auckland signed by Mr Cross (agent for the Ventnor), Mr Martin (Customs officer), Mr Smith (shipping master), Mr Bingham (Admiralty inspector), and Mr Lane (representing the charterers), certifying that they saw Captain Ferry, of the Ventnor, prior to his sailing on Sunday morning, and that he took no drimk. Three of them were in his company for one- hour and ahalf. AUCKLAND, November 19. The decision of the Nautical Court in the "Ventnor inquiry stated that the exact point where the vessel struck was undetermined, but it was probably near Opunake. Serioue allegations of drunkenness which were made by members of the crew were contradicted by the surviving officers, engineers, and Bteward. If the compasses were accurate it would have been impossible for the vessel to have struck near Opunake on the course stated. Owing to the negligence or incompetence, a widely incorrect course was given or steered. Whether this arose from drunkenmess there was no satisfactory evidence, but no doubt either negligence or incompetence was the cause of the disaster. No blame was to be attributed to Captain Ferry in deciding to proceed to Auckland after striking, and it was by no means certain that the ship would be able to return tj Wellington more safely. On the whole, the captain seemed to have dome all that wa© possible for the safety of the crew and ship. When the vessel struck the second officer was on deck, but the captain was on the bridge in command. The responsibility must therefore rest on the captain alone. The officers would be exonerated and their certificates returned. No order was made re oosts, and no order in reference to the deceased captain's certificate.