NAPIER DISASTER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19379, 31 December 1932, Page 8

NAPIER DISASTER

INQUIRY TO BE HELD. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, December 30.. The Minister of Marine (Hon. J. G. Cobbe) has authorised an inquiry before a magistrate and two assessors yet to be appointed, into the Napier harbour disaster. The inquiry will be conducted under the Shipping and Seamen Act. ONE BODY MISSING. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER. December 30. The body of Norman Low is the only one not recovered of those missing as a result of Wednesday’s disaster, when ten watersiders were drowned. The Mayor, Mr Vigor Brown, has opened a subscription list. The combined funeral of nine victims will take place to-morrow morning. Messages of sympathy have been received from the Governor-General, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, Mr H. E. Holland, and many others. The watersiders resumed to-day after helping in the search yesterday. At the request of the Prime Minister the Mayor is to visit all the bereaved families, with the object of reporting on their plight. The launch Doris was but slightly damaged, her turning turtle causing the men to be thrown into the water.

NAUTICAL INQUIRY OPENS. EVIDENCE OF MASTERS HEARD. By Telegtaph—Press Association NAPIER. December 30. A preliminary inquiry into the disaster which occurred between the launch Doris, loaded with waterside workers, and the Tu Atu, at the entrance to Napier harbour, opened this afternoon. After hearing evidence of a number of those who were early at the scene of the disaster, and of the launch man, the hearing was adjourned until tomorrow, when the evidence of three more witnesses will be heard. Eric Gunnor Metzor. who was in charge of the Doris, said he did not have a certificate, but had a license from the Harbour Board to drive the launch. When he first saw the Tu Atu, the vessels were 20 to 25 yards apart. He put his helm hard over, but the launch was struck a glancing blow nearly amidship. Men sprung to the port side, which resulted in them being thrown into the water. If they had not done that he thought it probable che disaster would not have happened. The weather at the time was fine but hazy, there being a slight breeze, with a moderate swell running.

Robert William Martin, master of the To Atu, said that at no time did he see a red or green light on the Doris, but only a white light, which he thought was the only one the launch possessed. He was on his correct courj& at the time, travelling at a speed of two knots. He did not realise the danger until it was too late, the Doris’s light having come straight across his bows. The weather was fine, the atmosphere being clear but dark.

John Thomas Fenwick, owner of the Doris, and one of the passengers, said he had noticed all three lights on the Doris burning brightly before the collision. There were none standing to obscure the* lights. His version of the disaster was that the Tu Atu shouldered the launch rather than struck it. The men all sprang to the port side away from the Tu Atu. and the latter brushed the Doris sufficiently to tip the men out.

Captain Horace White Parsons, harbour master, who was early on the scene, said visibility was perfect. He noticed the Tu Atu’s lights all burning brightly.