SHIPPING DISASTER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 8 October 1926, Page 9

SHIPPING DISASTER.

THE OPUA INQUIRY. By Telearraph—Prjas* Aasocifitiot. WELLINGTON, October 7. At the Opua inquiry, Alfred Hendry, chief officer, said that lie went on duty at 8 p.m., when the vessel was off Castle Point. Ho was relieved at midnight by tho second officer and was m bed when the ship struck. The course was given to the officer relieving him and he had passed oil orders not to come within two miles of the shore. H. Scarborough, second officor, said that the orders as to tho course etc., had been passed on. The weather was The first thing he saw was breakers, and then land, and he put ihe helm over. Witness was tho only lookout as McKay had temporarily left. McKay said tho weather was very thick with a drizzling rain and he could not see the land at all. He had the wheel, from 2 to 3 a.m. and was on the bridge when the vessel struck. He could not see what was ahead. Mr Kirkcaldie: “Could you distinguish where you were?” Witness: “I knew we had struck the bottom.” (Laughter.) Mr Kirkcaldie said that no one hearing the evidence could suggest that there had been any negligence on the part of tho captain. He liad given orders which should have insuicd safety. Decision will he given to-morrow.