NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 35

NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

WELLINGTON, March 2. In the nautical inquiry Air Siev*wright, on behajf of the chief officer of the Tamahine (Air Callaghan), denied that a statement had been drawn up by him. He merely took the names of the passengers who would be available to give evidence if necessary. Robert M’Alister. solicitor, said he had. travelled frequently on the Tamahine. When the Tamahine was near Sinclair Head he saw the Maunganui draw in slightly towards her, and shortly afterwards she seemed to make a sharper turn to starboard, and to swing as if she were heading for the shore across the Taniahine’s bows. The vessels were so close that there was considerable excitement on the Tamahine. J. T. Aloore, another passenger on the Tamahine, considered that the vessels were never closer than 75 yards. W. 11. P. Barber considered the incident nothing more than an interesting event without any danger. He took the signals from the Tamahine as a sailor’s farewell. Roy'Temple, publisher, stated that atone time the distance between the vessels was no more than 40ft. He was on the Tamahine, and got up a statement which was signed by some other passengers and forwarded to the Dominion newspaper. Alexander Thompson, a passenger on the Tamahine, also estimated the distance at 40ft.

Sydney Bryden. a passenger on the Tamahine, stated that the Maunganui took a decided sweep, and a fellow-passenger remarked: “We will be lucky to miss her.” For the space of a few seconds it looked almost certain that a collision would occur. From whereAie was standing the smallest distance between the vessels was 35ft to 40ft. The passengers on the Tamahine were excited, and the voices of passengers on the Maunganui were plainly heard. Had the captain of the Tamahine not acted quickly there would have been a collision.

This closed the evidence, and coungel proceeded to review it. The court afterwards adjourned till Monday.

The following appeared in our second edition of last week.