NAVIGATION INCIDENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 7

NAVIGATION INCIDENT.

A NAUTICAL INQUIRY. WELLINGTON, 29. The Cook Strait navigation incident of February 3 was the subject of a nautical inquiry opened at the Magistrate's Court this morning by Mr W. G. Kiddell, S.M The vessels concerned were the liner Maun ganui, bound from Wellington to Sydney, and the ferry steamer 1 aniahme, bound from Wellington to Picton. Both vessels arc owned by the Union Steam Ship Company, and tint company had already held an official inquiry into the allegation that on the date m question the passengers vn these vessels were much alarmed by the close proximity of the Maunganui and tho Tamahine when they were travelling in the vicinity of Karon Rock. As a result of that inquiry both captains were deprived of their respective commands and placed in charge of cargo vessels. ’By direction of the Minister of Marine (Mr G. J. Anderson) to-day’s nautical inquiry is being held in pursuance of section 239 of the Shipping and Seamen Act into the question whether on February- 3 “ the masters of either or of both ships did navigate their vessels in such a manner us to endanger the safety of cither or both of the said ships.” Mr J Prendeviile (Crown Law Officer) and Captain W. Wilcox (superintendent of the Mercantile Marine, Wellington) appeared for the Marine Department. Mr C. G. White and Captain Foster (marine superintendent of the Union Steam Ship Company) watched the proceedings on behalf of the Union Steam Ship Company .Mr C, A. L. Treadwell represented Captain Arthur Henry Davey (late master ot the Maunganui), Mr E K. Kirkcaldie, with him Mr E. Parry appeared for Captain John Edward M'Clellan (late master of the Tamahine), and Mr O. C. Mazengarb instructed by the Marine Engineers Institute, appeared for the engineers of both vessels.

Arthur Henry Davey (late master of the Maunganui) stated that on February 3 he was master of the Maunganui, which left the Queen's wharf, Wellington, tor Sydney at 3.3 p.m. He went full speed ahead (151 to 16 knotsl from the start, but she would not garner up speed for some time even in smooth water. Tho Tamahine was then behind the Maunganui, which was i-ading at the entrance to the harbour. He was not taking too much notice of the Tamahine, but at Barrett’s Reef she was never closer to the Maunganui than three to four ship's lengths. When the Maunganui commenced to turn the Tamahine was on her starboard quarter, and the Tamahine was then the over taking ship. Mr Prendeviile: Did you give any signal to her that you were changing vour course': —No, sir, it was not necessary. Mr Prendeviile: Was there any racing betwen the two vessels?— I would not say there was any racing. 1 had one boiler idle—one boiler out < f commission. Mr Prendeviile: There was’ only one order on the telegraph to the engine room, and that was on leaving the Queen’s Wharf at 3 o’clock —“full speed ahead.”—That was the only order given to the engine room by me until our arrival off Sydney Heads. ' Mr Prendeviile: So far as you were concerned, you say that both at Barrett’s Reef and off Toni’s Rock you were the overtaken ship, and you consider you were at all times clear?—When I am the overtaken ship I am at all times clear. I pursued my lawful course to Sydney, and I was justified in doing so. Mr Prendeviile. Did you at any time cut a corner? —I pursued throughout the same course as at any other time. We have standard courses. Mr Treadwell: From the time you

started? from Wellington until after this incident of alleged carelessness were you anything else but the overtaken vessel? — I was the overtaken vessel the -whole time. He added that throughout the whole of the distance referred to he maintained his normal course absolutely. The Tamahine-was of much lighter draft than the Maunganui. Up to Barrett’s Reef the Tamahine was on her inside running but rounding Barrett’s Reef she went round to the other side of the Maunganui, and as soon as the way was clear took up the inside running again. Up to almost that time (a little before Karoti Rock), continued Captain Davey, the two vessels were going in approximately the same direction, the Tamahine astern of the Maunganui, and at that time the Tamahine was heading for Tory Channel, and to do so would have to go behind the Maunganui. Captain Davey added that he had had 34 years’ experience of the sea, and had commanded a vessel for 17 years. . In reply to further questions Captain Davey stated that he had no reason what-

ever to be alarmed during the whole of the voyage. Captain M’Clellan would know he was bound for Sydney, a-id the course he must follow. The Tamahine never at any time passed or overhauled his ship, as had been suggested in one of the papers. In reply to Mr Kirkealdie, the Witness stated that at every stage he was perfectly satisfied that the changes of course he made would not in any way embarrass Captain M’Clellan or involve the Tamahine in any danger. The “ incident ” created no excitement on bis vessel. At Sydney reporters interviewed the passengers, but no mention whatever was made of the “ incident.” lie gave no instructions for racing. Mr Kirkealdie: We can show that the same was the case with our ship. Everard John M’Clellan said that he was master of the Tamahine on February 3. He left the Queen’s wharf for Picton at 3.10 p.m., and was up to full speed—about 17 knots —within five minutes. At Barrett’s Reef the Tamahine was astern of the Maunganui, between 400 ft and 500 ft away on the starboard quarter. Witness knew that the Maunganui would change her course, and was watching her very closely. He thought . that the Maunganui might blow her whistle, but it did not make much difference whether she did or not. He steered his usual course to Sinclair Head, the Maunganui then being about half a mile on his port bow. To Mr Prendeville: Witness knew that the Maunganui would alter her course again somewhere about Karori Rock or Toni’s Rock. He saw the Maunganui swing to starboard, and watched her just sufficiently long to see what was going to happen. He assumed, being the overtaking vessel, that he should get out of the way, and he did so. He reduced the speed slowly, and brought the ship on to a course parallel with that of the Maunganui. Then he went hard astern. Mr Kirkealdie: Was your course on that day the same as on previous trips?— Exactly. Mr Kirkealdie: Was there ever any risk of collision —Never at any time. My ship was under perfect control the whole of the time. There was never any danger.

Mr Kirkcaldie: What was the shortest distance you were away from the Maunganui ? —About the length of the Tamahine —27sft. Mr Riddell: When the Maunganui changed her course why did you reduce speed and then go astern?—l could get back on to my course quicker by going astern. Mr Riddell: Did going astern bring you anv nearer the Maunganui?—No. Evidence supporting the statements of the captains as to there being absolutely ho danger or anything unusual, and that the vessels were under proper control, was ajso given by officers on the two vessels.