THE DEVON INQUIRY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10739, 2 September 1913, Page 5

THE DEVON INQUIRY.

THE CAPTAIN’S EXPLANATION,

Pgr Press Association. Wellington, September 1

Tha Marine inquiry into the Wreck of fche Devon opened to-day before a court consisting of Dr. McArthur, S. M., president, and Captains Bollons and Black.

Captain Oauuoe stated that the Devon went ashore about 7.43 p. m. When he picked up Pencarrow light he continued on the course for Somes’ island light when a squall of rain obscured the light The squall lasted about five minutes and afterwards he picked up what he took to be the red light of Somes Island. When he found himself in the red light ha ported to get into the white sector again. Shortly after that he saw he was too close to the rooks on Pencarrow heads and he went hard to starboard. The vessel refused to answer her helm but he thought the stern would swing round a bit and he put the engines full speed astern. The vessel struck the rocks heavily abaft the bridge. Ha could not see any rocks ahead so he put the engines full speed ahead but as he saw rocks a minute later, he stopped the engines Tim lights went out a few minutes afterwards and the firemen came on deck saying that water was coming into the stokehold and the eugineroom, The vessel struck about a cable length from the lowcp Pencarrow Head. His speed was about ten knots. The night was rough with squalls and a strong wind. He did not think it was necessary when he got into the red light to go out to sea again, but he tried to pick up the white sector. He took the red light to be a red sector not the shoal light because the sector was a 1(5 mile light, and the shoal light only about a four mile light, Potii lights were of the same kind, being fixed. The vessel was seriously damaged, and he thought practically a total loss. In reply to counsel witness said his explanation of the disaster was that he took the Falcon shoal light to be the red sector of Somes Island light, and took what would have’ been the correct course in that case, viz; to turn towards Pencarrow. The Falcon fixed light was exactly on a blend between the red and white sectors of Somes Island light. If the Falcon light had been an occultating light it would not have been possible for the wreck to have occurred

MrMacassey (who appeared for the Marine Department) asked Captain Oannce: How did you get out of the white sector? Witness replied that might have been through the wind. Mr Myers (appearing for Captain Cannes) objected to the suggestion that lie ever got out of the white sector, and suggested that it might have been tne red light of Falcon Shoal. Witness added that the vessel was seriously damaged, and he thought practically a total loss. To Mr Blair (who appeared for the owners): Witness’s explanation of the disaster was that he took the Falcon Shoal light to ha the red sector of Somes Island, and took what would have been the correct course in that case, namely, to turn towards Pencarrow.

To Mr Myers; The Falcon fixed light was exactly on the bend between the red and white sectors of the Somes Island light. If the Falcon light had been an occnlating one it would not have been possible for the wreck to occur.

Witness continuing, said the wind was SS. E. ,ancl if it-had affected him at all it would have been towards the red sector of Somes Island At this time the ship would have been about three and three-quarters of a mile off the Falcon Shoal. These two lights were practically in the same bearing. He saw only one. and took it to be the stronger Somes Island light. Believing this, he had no doubt his proper course was to get back into the white sector. In the light of what he knew now, the light he saw must have been in the white sector all the time. If the Somes Island light had not been obscured be must have seen that he was in the green sector. There was nothing to indicate to him that it was imprudent to try to get in. When he ported his helm he could not have left the bridge to go and take his bearings. Captain Black: According to the time and chart you must have been in the green sector for a good time before yon struck? Witness replied that he did not see the green light until after the ship had struck

Captain Black: Diu you not see it when you picked up the white light at first?

Witness said that it must have been fifteen minutes from the time he altered his course until the vesel struck. Moore, a member of the Devon’s crew, gave evidence regarding the steering, which he did in accordance with the captain’s orders. Le Masurier, who was on duty on the look-out at six o’clock, said the first light he picked up was on the starboard bow, Pencarrow. The next loom of lights was on the port bow. He afterwards reported a white light and then a red one, both right ahead. The next report was rocks right ahead. He lost the white light after a time, but had the starboard lights all the time. The chief officer corroborated the captain’s evidence regarding the lights. E. G. Rapley, the fourth officer, who was on duty at the time of the mishap, thought the vessel's course was affected by the current, and the squall also hid Somes Island lights for some time. Archibald Walker, Lloyd’s surveyor, stated that he considered the vessel was not salvageable. Captain Watson said he had foreseemthat the Falcon shoal light might be mistaken for Somes Island when the latter was obscured. In the position Captain Oaunoe found himself in, he was justified in puling his helm to port. TROUBLESOME WATERSIDERS. Wellington, September 1. A somewhat serious position has arisen in connection with the discharge of the Devon’s cargo. A number of wharf labourers refused to go down to the stranded steamer oa Saturday unless paid 5s an hour. The Shipping Companies offered them 2s for work in daytime, and 3s overtime, but as they still refused to start the permanent stevedores of the New Zealand Shipping Company were put on to do the work. The steamer Awaroa has brought to town a quantity of the salvaged cargo, and there is some more on board the auxiliary scow Echo, but the casual waterside workers have refused to

handle it. Some permanent manual workers of the Harbour Board were then directed to unload the Awaroa, but they al:o refused. It is stated they have been suspended.