THE ROTOMAHANA ENQUIRY. FINDING OF THE COURT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2774, 14 August 1883, Page 2

THE ROTOMAHANA ENQUIRY. FINDING OF THE COURT.

[_Br Telegraph.] Donedin, Aug. 13. The Court of Enquiry into the cause of tho accident to the Botomahana found that the grounding of the steamer and consequent damage, appears by the evidence to have been caused by (1) the unexpected strength of tho current sotting m towards the shore ; (2) by the misjudging by Captain Carey of the distance from shore at 3 a.m.; (31 by tho apparent projection of the reef from the coast, much further than shown by the chart. That the nature of tho damage done was injury to the hull of the ship to the extent of from L4OOO to LSOOO. (1) That the grounding was partly due to the currents continuing to ran to eastward lon/jor than anticipated after the ebb tide had made, hence taking the port bow of the steamer and Betting her further m shore than tho estimated distance. (2) The atmospheric conditions led the commander to misjudge the distance, and by his omission to heave the lead at throe o clock, he left his mistako as to the distance from Slops Point undetected. In addition to these two causes for her striking, it seems probable that, from the evidence of tho captain and tho known opinion of other navigators, that the pinnacle rocks between which the steamer was bo skilfully handled, extend much further seaward than aro marked on tho chart. Tho evidence of the commander and officers tend* to ■how that a want of knowledga of the wind and weather off the Bonthorn ports of the colony is a drawback to safe navigation between them, and owing to these not being telegraphed between the Bluff and Dunedin, tho high winds off the coast would be unknown, and hence dao allowance of their influence on the currents cannot be made. It seems probablo th»t the current off the South coast was influenced m the case of the Rotomahan* by the gale of wind ■aid to have prevailed previously to her reaching Waipapa, and only reported on her reaching the Bluff, after striking ground. The evidence farther indicates that the dangers at this part of the ooast will be lessened, if not wholly removed, by the erection of a lighthouse on Waipapa, which will bo assisted by the placing of a luminous bellbnoy at the dangerous Toby Rock. They also wish to bring to notice the apparent absence of Government enoonragement, similar to that given by the Board of Trade m Great Britain, for officers of ships, registered m this colony, making themselves familiar with and judging distances from shore by day and night ; taking bearings of the headlands, lights, etc. ; ascertaining the speed of the ship from the engine revolutions ; taking frequent observations (amplitudes, altitudes, etc), and keeping a. log or note-book of same, believing from the evidence adduced that such practice would tend to make them expert navigators, and hence lessen shipping casualties on this coast. Heaving the lead when near shore would also be of great advantage, and the results as to depths and the nature of the bottom would, if pencilled on the charts, form a valuable snide for future navigation. Thirdly, I nave to mention my satisfaction at the clear evidence given by Captain Carey and the officers of the Rotomohana, and likewise to call attention to the zealous promptitude and skill with which every precaution to secure the safety of the passengers and ship was taken after the reef had been struck. The evidenco Bhows that with the single exception of omitting tae taking of soundings at three o'clock, when Captain Carey considered it necessary to change the ship's course, he acted as a careful navigator and experienced commander, and the discipline of the ship reflects ' great credit on all her officers. The Nautical Assessors concurred m this judgment. [Bt Tzkeqbaph.J Bluff, Aug. 13. The To Anau arrived at 4 p.m. She left Melbourne at 6.30 p.m. on the 7th, and arrived at Hobart at 11 a.m. on the 9th ; left the same day at 9.30 p.m., and experienced heavy nor' -west winds and thiok weather to arrival. She sails at 9 p.m. for Dunedin. Saloon passengers for Bluff — Messrs Tennent, Reid and Cooks ; for Port Chalmers — Mr and Mrs Loft, Mrs Bailey, Messrs Given and Cntten; for Lyttelton — Messrs Watson, Dartnall and Atkinson, Hisses Crowe (2), Miss Weymouth, Mr and Mrs Strange, and Mr York j for Wellington — Mrs and Miss Wrigglesworth, Misses Pearson (2), Master Pearson, Mr Wright, and 32 steerage for all ports.