STEAMER COLLISION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 18 December 1925, Page 9

STEAMER COLLISION.

MARINE INQUIRY OPENS. By Coble—Press Association —Copyrlgut. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association SYDNEY, December 16. The Commonwealth Court of Marine Inquiry commenced the hearing of a charge made against Captain Upward, ot the steamer Suva, by the Director of Navigation, that he was guilty ot a failure of duty. The charge arose out of the collision between the Suva and the Chillagoe.' Counsel for the Director sard on the night of the collision the visibility was good. About a minute before the collision the engines of the Suva were put full astern and her helm aport, but the Chillagoe. the Cillagoe. The charge was based on Article 19 of the Navigation Rules, stating: "‘When two steam vessols are crossing, to avoid risk: oi collision, the vessel which has the other on her own star board side should keep out of the way." Captain Upward gave evidence that he saw the lights of the Chillagoe web inshore and set his course to avoid her, but she altered her course. J.n his opinion the collision was due to the Chillagoe altering her course and not keeping her speed. The hearing was adjournpd. Captain Upward protested against the procedure of the Court and the action of the Director of Navigation’ in charging Captain Upward. The damage to each vessel is estimated at £7OOO. (On December 8, the Suva, with a full list of passengers, collided with a cargo vessel, the Chillagoe, four miles off Sydney Heads. One member of the Suva’s crew was lost overboard and both vessels were badlv damaged. The Chillagoe was beached in the harbour, and the Suva,' which was bound for Melbourne, had to return to Sydney.)