MARITIME MISHAPS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 35, 18 March 1914, Page 7

MARITIME MISHAPS.

SEQUEL TO COLLISION. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright. NEW YORK, March 16. . Opinion is divided concerning the charge against Captain Berry, in connection with the Monroe-Nantucket collision. One of the assessors exonerated Captain Berry, and blamed Captain Johnson, of the Monroe. The other found Berry guilty, and recommended that his certificate be revoked. The matter has been referred to the Department of Commerce for final adjudication. [At the end of January the two steamers Nantucket and Monroe collided, with the result that the latter sank almost immediately, several of her passengers and crew being drowned. Captain Berry, of the Nantucket, stated that when the Monroe was first sighted he ordered the helm to be put hard-a-port, but the Monroe, going at a fast speed, tried to pass ahead, and the Nantucket collided with her. .He also said that the Monroe was going so fast that the stem of the Nantucket was twisted to starboard. Captain Johnston, asserting that the loss of the Monroe was due to the Nantucket's carelessness, filed a writ claiming 1,000,000 dollars damages. Captain Johnston alleged that the Monroe was proceeding at half-speed, but, the Nantucket was travelling at such a speed that the accident could not'be avoided;}