THE WRECK OF THE TASMANIA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 10994, 11 August 1897, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE TASMANIA.

TFIE OFFICIAL ENQUIRY. [PER PKKS3 ASSOCIATION.] Auckland. August 10.— At the Tasmania enquiry, Captain McGee detailed the circumstances until ha left the dock [ on the night of the disaster, and stated that the course set would carry the vessel to sea about thrae miUs iff Table Cape. He blamed the inset for carrying the ves3ol on to the rocks. From tha drift of the Inggage tnd wreckage it showed that the drift was about a mile an hour. He csnsidered ail the boat wer» properly manned. He did not uso rafts, as he considered they wero not needed, and would only indues people to gat in them and perhaps be lost altogether. The { weather was clear between the sqaalls, and he could understand the third oifioer on watch bring d«ceiv»d, because the land really looksd a long way off. Mr McGrath, third officer, said tkat when he came on deck the first mate pointed out the land and gave infractions for the watch. H9 said, '• Keep south, south-east, and keep a good lookout.'' '1 he steamer was going dead slow Witness kept that eourao till 9 o'clock, when the captain came up and altered the course to south by east, halfeast, -with full speed. Tho captain then went below. Witness continued that course for about ten minutes, whon the captain altered it to south by east east, and told witness to call him at 11 o'clock, when they would probably sight the land. He kept the course till seT«n minutes to 11, when the steamer struck. He saw the light on tha starboard bow, but it disappeared after ten seconds. The land was on the starboard bow. He hauled the ship out two two points and called the captain, who gare the order to starboard tho helm. Whon the Tassel struck she was going at a speed of tou knots.