THE WAIRARAPA WRECK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7135, 17 November 1894, Page 3

THE WAIRARAPA WRECK.

Auckland, to-day. —At the enquiry ,yesterday John Sinclair, chief engineer. deposed that the vessel was running full speed from leaving Sydney until she struck. Immediately the vessel struck the electric light was switched on all over the ship. He gave the necessary orders to his staff, but thought they were unable to shut all the watertight doors. The first order from the bridge was "Full speed astern," and the next order " Half -speed ahead" about a minute after that was obeyed. Then there were several orders given, "Slow," "Slow astern," and " Slow ahead " following quickly one after the other. The last order given was " Slow astern " at 12.22 and b minute afterwards " Stop." Witness stood by the engines till he was floated out. The electric light went out at 12.25. Witness was washed into the sea, and swam about until he was picked up by a boat. He saw the captain at ten o'clock on Sunday night, and he appeared attentive to his duties. The captain was walking about eating a large sandwich. Witness had never seen him do that before. He thought it was the broken water that drowned so many ladies with lifebelts on. Until this time the captain had always slowed down in a fog apd sounded the foghorn. The second, third, and fourth engineers were also examined. Mr Cooper then intimated that the examination of the engineeis had closed, aud he asked the Bench to state that they were exonerated. He thought they had done their duty, and he asked the Bench to express an opinion at this stage, so that the engineers could get their certificates renewed. In his opinion the conduct of the engineers was deserving of commendation. Sir Cotter said he was only too gratified to hear Mr Cooper speak as he had. He hoped, however, that it should not be taken as reflecting at all upon the other officers. Mr Cooper : " Certainly not ; the other officers are still before the Court, and must remain so until the close of the enquiry." Mr Cotter : " Will you include the fourth officer ? He is not a navigating officer, and had no watch." Mr Cooper: "I cannot at this stage, though, in my opinion, the evidence shows that no blame can be attached to him." Mr Northcroft : •' It would not be right for the Court to express an opinion as to navigating officers, or to officers in charge of the boats. The Court is unanimous in the opinion that the engineers did their duty. They are exonerated, and their certificates will all be renewed. We can even go further, and say that we think the chief engineer stuck at his post at the risk of losing his life, and we think there is no doubt from the evidence and all we have heard, that Mr Dunlop behaved in a very brave manner. That is all I care to say until we bring up the finding of the enquiry. The Court adjourned until Monday. Wellington, to-day.— Mr W . F. Wheeler, local manager of the Union Company, was examined before the Magistrate in connection with the Wairarapa disaster. He was asked if he knew of any instructions to the captain to make, fast passages in view of opposition and replied that he was unaware of any, and said the company thought so little of the opposition, there being or-ly one vessel running, that he did not think that any instructions would be given. 80 far as be knew, the general instructions of the company to captains provided for blowing the fog-horn in a fog. The general manager would be the proper gentleman to examine as to the instructions. Witness had known Captain Molntosh for ten years, and regarded him as a careful and capable officer. Witness declared that whether the captains made fast or slow passages, it did not affect promotion in the company.