The Wreck of the Wairarapa.

Southland Times, Issue 13059, 6 November 1894, Page 2

The Wreck of the Wairarapa.

COURT OF INQUIRY. [By Telegraph.] Auckland, Nov. 5. The Court of Enquiry opened this forenoon, Mr Northcroft S.M., presiding, being assisted by two Nautical Assessors. Solicitors appeared for the Crown, for the Union S.S. Company, for the officers, and for the relatives of some of those drowned. Mr Thos. Cooper, in opening for the Crown said that evidence would be given tending to show that some, at any rate, of the officers were not so prompt in the discharge of their duty as they should have been. He hoped that would not be proved and that discredit would not be thrown on any one. Rudolph Prohl, the first witness, deposed that he was assistant ’keeper at Mokohiuuo lighthouse on the day of the wreck. There was hazy but not foggy weather until towards night. At 8 o’clock he could see from 20 to 30 miles. The light was burning all night. He had seen it 30 miles up the coast and as it was a revolving flash it should be seen 18 miles. First officer Moyes’ evidence went to show that after they sighted North Cape at 20 minutes to Bon Sunday morning. The ship proceeded on her course at full speed through a heavy fog. Sometimes they could not see so much as a mile ahead and at best only about two miles. Judging from the log, which he considered accurate, the Wairarapa was abreast of Cape Brett at 7.30 p.m. At 8 in the evening he was relieved till 11.30. During the day the captain was nearly always on the bridge. The officers consulted with him on the advisableness of slackening the speed of the vessel, but he replied that he could go on as far as the Hen and Chickens and then slow down. At 10 p.m., when the witness estimated that the ship was abreast of these islands, the captain did not slow down as he had promised. All the officers asked him to blow the fog horn but he refused as he said it would disturb the passengers. In reply to Mr Cooper Mr Moyes said that the provision of Article 14, to the effect that a ship should slow down in a fog, was not complied with. After the vessel struck, the officers below jumped from their beds and went on deck and helped, with the others, to get the boats launched but only succeeded in the case of two. After this he went to the captain, who was alone on the bridge, and asked him where ho thought the vessel was, he replied “on the Hen and Chickens.” He said-goodbye to witness and told him to save himself. The latter said he would rather stay by him but the captain ordered him forward, so he went with the purser and hung on nearly all night to the fore rigging with the seas breaking over them. The rigging was full of people and he, being cramped, crawled over them and sat on the cross trees. Mr Moyes deposed as to his action on the steamer and in saving life. He saw a life raft with 20 people on it float off the vessel to sea and drift in an easterly direction. At 8 o’clock he aaked the captain when he was going to moderate the speed, but he did not speak to him again till she struck. During the day he saw the captain repeatedly, and would swear he was sober. He never saw him the worse for liquor. The witness was cross-examined by Mr Jackson Palmer to show that if the fog horn had been used the echoes from the Barrier cliffs would have shown the ship’s proximity to land.

There are sixteen officers and twelve passengers to give evidence. An additional body has been identified as that of Mark Dickson, a passenger. The bodies of a three-year-old child named Baldwin, and Charles McKinnon, a passenger, belonging to Victoria, have been recovered. A lady who was on the bridge near the captain corroborates Mr Harris’s statement that Captain Mclntosh dived off the bridge before it was washed away. Just previous to going over he said something the first part of which she could not distinctly hear, but the termination of the sentence was, “ the last watch.” He had no lifebelt on. She had gone from the saloon with the two stewardesses to the bridge for safety. The bodies of Robt. McGee, lamp trimmer, the youngest Miss Scoullar (Dunedin), and of Bray, of Enfield, Sydney, have been identified. Mr Whaley’s body is to be carried Home; those of Miss Rowbottom and White go to. Sydney ; Baldwin’s child to Wellington ; Murray’s to Dunedin. A further number of bodies have been recovered. At a meeting of citizens to-day a committee was appointed to administer a relief fund and deal with urgent cases arising out of the wreck. New Plymouth, Nov. 5. A public meeting held to-night decided to raise subscriptions for the relief of the sufferers by the Wairarapa disaster. Wellington, Nov. 5. The Wairarapa relief fund meeting was largely attended. The following resolutions were carried That a fund be raised by public subscription for the ’purpose of relieving as far as possible the distress consequent upon the recent disastrous accident to the s.s. Wairarapa ;” “ that a committee, with power to add to their number, be appointed to undertake the collection, management, and distribution of the fund“ that if the funds will permit part may be devoted by the committee to the reward of those who by brave and meritorious behaviour were iustru mental in saving life from the wreck.” Upwards of LlOO was collected in the room and promises of another hundred were given. A meeting of ladies was held in the afternoon, when a committee was formed to canvass for subscriptions in aid of the fund. Christchurch, Nov. 5. Ata public meeting this afternoon it was decided to start a relief fund in connection with the Wairarapa disaster. The Mayor reported that sums amounting to LlB 6s had been handed to him. Dunedin, Nov. 5. At a meeting of the committee of the Union Steamship Company’s Benefit Society a resolution was passed, placing on record their deep sorrow and regret for the terrible catastrophe in the wreck of the Wairarapa and the deplorable loss of life,and extending heartfelt sympathy to the relatives and friends of members and others lost. It was also resolved to vote L3OO from the benevolent fund for distribution amongst 28 members of the society saved, to assist them in obtaining fresh outfits ; allowances to the widows of members drowned, and also to the next of kin, amounting to Ll4O were also passed for payment. The manager for the Union Company at Auckland telegraphed to Mr Mills, the general manager Captain Worsp and myself are satisfied that it is useless to endeavour to attempt salvage. The vessel is covered at high water. The hatches are off and the cabins gutted- She is exposed to a northerly sea, and must break up with the first gale. There is too much swell for divers to work. I recommend you to sell at once. I have left an officer and a boat’s crew to co-operate with the police in recovering and interring further bodies. Ido not think the Royalist can be of any service, as the present staff at the wreck is equal to all requirements.” Captain Farquhar took the bearings of the ship as closely as possible and found the Wairarapa’s head lying E.S.S. -He believes some of the passengers did not get on deck, as through a port hole a body could be seen floating to and fro.