The Jane Douglas.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 23, Issue 5, 19 January 1912, Page 7

The Jane Douglas.

FINDINGS OP THE COURT. the captain mulcted in, costs. Nelson, Jan. 17. When the inquiry into the wreck of the steamer Jane Douglas resumed on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Evans, S.M., said he had received a letter from Brown, one of the crew, desiring that certain questions _be asked. The Court desired the fullest inquiry, and if Mr Brown wished to give further evidence he would be given a further Opportunity to do so. Mr Maginnity, who appeared for Captain Vendote, said the evidence must be limited to the day when the vessel was lost. G. MeC. Brown stated that he could not ■wear that he noticed the captain to be under the influence of. liquor on the night in question, Liquor was carried aboard the vessel. Ingram (the mate) and Young (the fireman) might have some evidence to give. Captain Vendore omitted to state that hte was ashore in the Sounds, when no damage was done. Ho could not swear that Captain Vendore was under the influence of liquor. A, Ingram (the mate) stated that he was on duty on the night in question until ten o’clock. Captain Vendore was on the deck most of the time and witness was talking to him. He saw no one under the influence of liquor, and the captain was no different to what he appeared now. The captain was sober all the time, perfectly sober. The captain had a very ticklish job to bring his vessel out of the difficult berth at Wellington, owing to the ferry steamers and the wind blowing. Arthur Young stated that he was on duty that night from six till twelve. He spoke to the captain twice. There was nothing to show that the captain was under the influence of liquor. He was perfectly sure the captain was not under. the influence of liquor. Whim picked up the captain showed no indication of being in liquor. This closed the evidence, and after retiming for some time; the following findings were announced by Mr Evans, S M.:— 1. That it was a moonlight night and sufficiently clear to sea the land so as to enable the ship’s position to ' be ascertained from time to time. 2. That the vessel struck the rock at or about high water, 8, That at that time there was no rip or cross currents to set the vessel out of her course. 4, That the sea was moderately high but not sufficient to set up a spray such as would hide the rock from view considering the clearness of the night, 5. That the wind blowing at the time would not put the vessel out of her course. On the foregoing facts we are unable to put the casualty down to either inevitable accident or mere error of judgment, and no satisfactory reason has been shown for the vessel striking the rock.. We find also that the vessel left port well found and all hands sober and fit for duty. The Court finds that the Jane Douglas was lost by reason of the fact that iu the opinion of the Court Captain Vendore did not use such vigilance as was reasonably expected of him under the circumstances disclosed by the evidence, but not to >the extent of rendering himself so culpably negligent as to warrant a suspension of his certificate, Ibut the Court is of opinion that the captain should pay the costs of the enquiry. , . „ The costs were assessed as follows: Witnesses £8 18a, assessors /14 15s, Court £ses £1: total £24 130 -d.