THE STRANDING OF THE KAIPARA.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12767, 8 February 1910, Page 4

THE STRANDING OF THE KAIPARA.

[United Pfess Association.] Auckland, Feb 7. The_ Magisterial inquiry into the stranding of the Kaipara in the Rangitoto Channel was resumed to-day. Thomas Dyke gave the result of soundings at the railway wharf on Saturday last. He" said that in no oase did the soundings give a lobs depth than the chart showed. Frank Walters, diver, described a visit to the berth occupied by the Kaipara at the railway wharf. He found a large quantity of stones weighing up to one hundredweight; but none bore evidence of contact with the ship's bottom, or anything. Walters had also examined the shoal in Rangitoto Channel, and said that it protruded three of four feet above the sea bottom. He saw grooves on the rock, and. patches of red paint. About thirty yards to the south-east he found another rock, on which was a piece of copper sheathing. An offioer from H.M.S. Challenger deposed that a diver from the vessel had located the rock in the fairway, the highest point being 7ft above the P o ™3 and the depth of water above it 24ft 9tn. According to the chart he considered the Kaipara had taken a safe course.