THE WRECK OF THE WOOLLAHRA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 18

THE WRECK OF THE WOOLLAHRA.

FINDING OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY. WELLINGTON, July 19. An inquiry concerning the wreck of the ! barque Woollahra, at Terawhiti on Sunday last was opened to-day before Dr M'Arthur, S.M., with whom Captains Larkin and W. J. Gray were associated as assessors. Alexander Foot, chief mate of the Woollahra, said that after the tug left the 6nip at Wellington Heads on Sunday lie was on watch until 8 o'clock in the evening. He was then relieved by the second mate. Captain Andresen was also on deck, and there had been no difficulty in handling the vessel. He went below, and was due on watch again at midnight, but about 10 minutes before the hour he was aroused by Bhoute of "All hands on deck!" and found the ship ashore. Witness then described the experiences of the crew on the vessel and their escape to shore in the dingey. He tried to persuade the captain to leave, but he refused, saying he would remain until daylight. He could not account for the j wreck. From the position the vessel was j in when he surrendered charge, her going j ashore was a mystery even in face of changed weather. William Gough, the. second mate, said the wreck occurred in his watch. He did not see the chart, and although he knew the relative position of the light on Pencarrow Heads he could not now point out on the chart the position the chip was in when he relieved the mate. The captain went below at 9.30, bat returned to the deck at 10.15, when the wind, which had been northerly, changed to south. There had' been no change in the course up till then. Land was reported to leeward at 11.30, and the captain went to the forecastle head and changed the course. Soon after breakers were oeen ahead, and the barque struck. The captain told witness and the crew to get ashore as best they could, but he would ' remain for daylight. Witness was for going ashore straight away, but the men eaid: "No; we'll sj>ick to the captain." Counsel: DM the captain give you any of his things? — Yes; this watch and about j £136, to be given to hie wife, if I got , ashore. He gave me these in his cabin. j Have you anything to say against the j navigation? — No. j To what do you attribute the wreck? — She must have steered too close in. After the evidence of a couple of seamen had been heard, a lad named Felton, aged •18, an ordinary seaman, said he waa the last with the captain. He went below trying to persuade the captain to get into the ! dingey. Witness was putting a lifebelt on at the time, and said to the skipper: " Come, you have got your wife and children to "look after." The captain started for for deck, but turned and went down aprain, saying, " No ; I'll stick to the ship." Witness followed him down, trying to persuade | him to leave. Then he heard those on deck crying, "Shove off." and the captain P**4t "Gpi mv . boy. an( l lQ9k after jQur-

self. I'll stay." Witness could stay no j longer, and, going on deck, was pulled over the rail into the dingey. He had previously heard the two mates trying to get Captain Andresen to leave. There were three feet of water in the skipper's cabin when witness left him, and the captain walked into that and sat down on the settee. As the dingey was shoved away the vessel gave a lurch, and the- cabin filled. The court will deliver its finding to-morrow. WELLINGTON, July 20. The Court of Inquiry set up in connection with the wreck of the Woollahra gave its decision to-day. The findings were ia follow: — (1) The casualty was not caused or contributed to by negligent navigation or by any other negligence, carelessness, or default on the part of any person or persons <jn the ship. (2) The cause of the casualty was an error of judgment on the part of the master as to the position of the ship when the wind shifted at or about 10.30 p.m. The court considered that the officers and members of the crew did. all that was possible after the vessel struck. They mentioned with commendation the action of the second mate (William Gough), also the action of Walter Fenton (ordinary seaman) and Seaman Konig.