The Wreck of the ss. Wairarapa.

Southland Times, Issue 13060, 7 November 1894, Page 2

The Wreck of the ss. Wairarapa.

COURT OF ENQUIRY. [By Telegraph.] Auckland, Nov. 6. Mr Moyes, chief officer of the Wairarapa, cross-examined to-day was asked “ Was any effort made to muster the female passengers and children ?” Mr Moyes: Yes ; we had to keep them outside the barrier which encloses the boats. They did not attempt to come beyond the gate. There were too many men helping to get the boats out to permit the women and children to como along. They were on the high side of the captain’s cabin. They were not prevented from coming along.—Asked if steps were taken to get the women and children into the boats witness stated that the boats, except two, were broken up. When they got these afloat there were no people left. It was then too dark to see them, even if they had been ' there. There was, witness said, no mustering of the crew to point out their boat stations, as they hare mostly been on the Wairarapa for years. He had not heard of the captain being found fault with for not arriving in port up to time. The company wanted them to exercise every care and not to race. There was about ten ton of iron in the forehold, about 20 feet from the standard compass, which was magnetically correct. When the vessel struck no one could have stood on the forecastle a moment owing to the heavy sea. That evening the captain told him they would slow down off the Hen and Chickens. Witness considered it was time to slow down, but he did not go to the captain because be had every confidence in his judgment. He had never heard of an officer being found fault with for not arriving in port at a particular hour. Had never known of fault finding with a master for not making a fast passage. He knew the regulations re slowing down in fogs. The second officer was the navigating officer,but Captain Mclntosh and witness also worked out daily sights. When the Three Kings [were sighted the ship was about three miles from her expected position, owing to a strong north-easb wind and sea. The captain told him to get the lead ready for sounding coming down the coast. The standard compass was correct on all courses. When the vessel struck he had not the slightest idea where the ship was. He thought she might be on the Chickens. Witness had considered it advisable to slow down but did not go tn the eaptain because it was not his watch on deck, also, because he bad every confidence in the captain’s judgment. Travelling at full speed the steamer would have gone a mile before they could bring her up, if found necessary. The surf might perhaps, be heard half a mile off, but on a steamer one could not hear fifty yards away. Owing to the heavy sea it was impossible to get the people away from the vicinity of the bridge to the rigging. When the ship heeled over most of the people slipped and went over the side. The fourth officer he believed superintended the launching of the life rafts. He attempted the saving of a mother and child and left them in a [corner while he was pulled up, intending to return for them, but they were washed away. It was possible that some passengers may not have got out of their cabins and their bodies may be there still. He never heard of the captain taking opium or any other sedative. W. Johnston, third officer, stated that between nine .and ten o’clock he asked the captain if he did not think they were a long way outside the Poor Knights. He replied that they were quite close enough to them and might see them any minute on the starboard. At 11.15 p.m. he asked the captain when he was going to slow down. He said the ship was alright and to keep a sharp look out for Mokihinou light on the port side, that was, to seaward. He said he had perfect confidence in his course. Witness asked permission to blow the fog horn, but the cap. tain said it would only frighten the passengers. Several more witnesses have been subpoenaed and the crew will probably be de. tained here till the enquiry closes. At the sale of salvage of the Wairarapa today the hull brought L7O and the cargo LI 60. Dunedin, Nov. 6. In view of rumours concerning the late Captain Mclntosh Dr Coughtrey, with tfifi consent of the captain’s relative, thinks it only fair that it should be known that before starting on his last voyage to Sydney Captain Mclntosh had only recovered from three attacks of influenza which had disabled him from duty for a month. On the 28th September ho consulted Dr Coughtrey, complaining chiefly of great nervous prostration, and that he felt unnerved. He was ordered to rest from duty, and if nut better

when the Wairarsp* resumed running to obtain further leave. The doctor did not see him again, but understood that though improved he had not quite recovered, and the doctor suspects that Captain Mclntosh had a return wave of nervous prostration which may have affected his judgment, and may possibly be the true explanation of the accident. Captain Mclntosh went to Q aeonstown while the steamer was being overhauled. He did not apply for leave. At a. well attend meeting resolutions were passed expressing profound sorrow at the Wairarapa wreck; deep sympathy with the relatives and friends of those who lost thfeir lives, and appreciation of the bravery of many of the survivors. A committee was appointed to take steps to raise relief funds and a deputation was appointed with the view of getting LIOOO surplus from the Clutha flood relief fund diverted. The latest calculation of the Auckland manager of the U.S.S. Company puts the number of passengers on the W airarapa at 179, of whom 93 were saved. Twenty of the crew were also drowned, showing the total oss of life'to be 106. Wellington, Nov. 6.

Mr Mills, general manager of the Union Company, has telegraphed to the Premier: “I understand representations have been made to you that proper steps were not taken to recover the bodies from the unfortunate wreck of the Wairarapa. I hope you will satisfy yourself) about this as far as to understand everything was done that could be done. The third officer was left with six boats and crews from the islands to search for bodies, and, we believe, did his work thoroughly. A steamer could not have reached any earlier than Friday morning. In any case the work would be much better done by boats.”

Mrs Rhodes who was drowned in the Wairarapa, was a resident of Cairns. Purser Fenwick states that there were 98 steerage passengers, including two who booked on board, and 88 saloon passengers by the Wairarapa, this number including infants and children. The total number lost therfore appears to be 113, or eight less than previously stated.