THE KAIPARA INQUIRY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14135, 15 February 1910, Page 2

THE KAIPARA INQUIRY.

In another column will he found tho full judgment of the Court of Inquiry into the striking of tho Kaipara on a rock in Auckland Harbour. From this it will be seen that Captain Cornwall was exonerated in the most complete manner of any blame in connection with the mishap, a fact upon which we heartily congratulate him. Tho evidence given established in the most conclusive maimer that Captain Cornwall was taking his ship out- upon what the official charts represented as a perfectly safe course, allowing him ample water, even with tho list, the vessel had, which made her draught some fourteen inches greater than if sho had been on a perfectly oven keel. Had bo known, bad tbe charts given tho slightest indication of a shoal in tho vicinity of the fairway, doubtless he would have delayed his departure an hour or two. But tho charts indicated a perfectly clear course, and although it has since transpired that other vessels had touched about tho same spot, not a word of warning seems to have been given. Tho court was emphatic therefore in finding that no blame could attach to Captain Cornwall, and complimented him and bis officers upon the skill with which they extricated the ship from its dangerous situation. . It was a piece of extraordinarily bad luck lor Captain Cornwall, whose record has been a perfectly clean one, hut the results might have boon worse, and the incident will no doubt force upon tho authorities the. proper sfirvey of tho harbour and tho plain marking upon tho charts of tho actual depths of water to be relied upon. Thus out of evil good wijl oomo.