QUEEN OF THE SOUTH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1641, 19 May 1919, Page 11

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH.

COMPASS AT FAULT. AFFECTED BY MAGNETOS IN CARGO. Ffes? Association* WELLINGTON, May 19. The Court of Inquiry this morning delivered its judgment regarding the wreck of the Queen of the South. The Court held that the wreck was principally due to the fact that the Cape Campbell light was obscured by fog. No other lights or landmarks were visible to show the master, of the vessel that he was not making a safe, course. According to evidence a theoretically safe course w-as steered, but, had the master had more experience of the locality, he might have made an allowance to counteract the effect of the flood tide. While accepting the theory that magneto? in the cargo might have been a contributing cause, the Court pointed out- that there was no evidence to show that the magnetos were stowed in such proximity to the compass as to produce a deviation sufficient to be the sole cause of the wreck. The Court found that the wreck was not caused by the wrongful act of the master, officers or crew. The certificates of the master and mate would be returned, and they would not be ordered to pay costs. The Court recommended that official tests *be made to ascertain at what distance magnetos would attract compasses; also that all electrical goods shipped be clearly marked.