THE ELINGAMITE INQUIRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7609, 20 January 1903, Page 2

THE ELINGAMITE INQUIRY.

There is a refreshingly frank and vigorous tone about tho finding of the Court of Inquiry into ihe wreck of the Elingumite. From the outset, it was apparent that the Court was confronted with an unpleasant task, and it is satisfactory to find that it has not shirked its painful duty. It has spoken very plainly and forcibly. It attributes the wreck primarily to the " grossly careless navigation" of Captain Altwood, although, it adds, that a chance of saving tlie steamer, after she had grounded, was lost, owing to the failure of the engines to reverse promptly. The evidence of more than one witness hinted at defectin the machinery ; but, in tho absence of a confirmatory testimony from the engineers themselves, the Crown was not in the position to establish this theory. But the Court expresses its belief in it, nevertheless ; and, what is more, expresses strong disapproval of reluctance shown by the engineering staff to give evidence. The Court also blames the navigating officers unreservedly, both for their conduct while the boats were being got out, and for their lack of forethought after the launching of the boats and rafts. But the chief object of its censure is the captain ; and Aye are left with the conclusion that his carelessness and want of forethought caused a disaster for which his subsequent spirited behaviour wholly failed to atone. Indeed, if we accept the finding of the Court as conclusive, there ia hardly a redeeming feature about the story of tlie wreck. • Careless navigation was responsible for the grounding of the Elingamite, defective eng/nes defeated the attempts to get her off Avhile there was yet time to avoid a disaster ; bad management, arising principally out of a neglect of boat-drill, produced a. state of confusion after the wreck ; and unpardonable negligence in the matter of not provisioning the boats and rafts, contributed to tho tragedies which followed. Instances of failure, deficiency and neglect punctuate the story from beginning to end, and the reader turns the last page with the sickening consciousness that the wreck might have been avoided, and that, as it was, a little care might have reduced the death-roll to a minimum.