THE PENGUIN DISASTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3127, 2 March 1909, Page 5

THE PENGUIN DISASTER.

i VERDICT. THE JURY. I $1 Association. WELLINGTON, March l." * The following is the verdict of t) e jury concerning the Penguin disaster: — (1) That Mrs Brittain and others came to their death by the wreck of the Penguin. (2) That the course laid down byCaptain Naylor would in ordinary circumstances nave been perfectly safe, but was affected by adverse winds and contrary tides and currents, and having lost his bearings through the thickness of the weather, no lights being visible after 8.30 p.m. The vessel struck at 10.2 p.rr* The Penguin struck the exact locality of which has not been defined, and became a total wreck. (3) That the conduct of Cap am Naylor and the crew of the Penguin after the vessel strucK was in all respects admirable. (4) That on the evidence submitted it is apparent that all was done by the Union Steam Ship Company, the police, Mr and i\ rs McMeuamin and their men for t! e care of tne dead and the welfare of .the survivors, that could be done in the circumstances. (5) That having regard to tfce number of wrecks in tnis vicinity, and with a view to prevei ting the recurrence of such a deplorable disaster as the wreck of the Penguir, and consequent loss of life, the jury is of opinion that a light on Tongue Point is desirable, and its erection should be considered favourably by the Marine Department. (6) That the jury is of opinion that steps should be taken speedily by the Marine Department to locate the hull of the Penguin.

JUDGMENT OF MARINE COURT.

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 1. The Marine Court gave its judgment to-night regarding the Penguin disaster. They found that the Penguin was well found and equipped; that Captain Nay lor was guilty of a breach of article 16 of the regulations for preventing collisions at sea; that the cause of the casualty was the presence of an exceptionally strong flood tide, coupled with a breach of article 16 by the master of the vessel, and with his failure under existing circumstances to put to sea when he had run a course of 18 miles; that the master should have put his head to sea sooner, which would have prevented the casualty; after the wreck everything possible was done to prevent loss of life.

Captain Naylor's certificate is suspended for twelve months, but no order is made regarding costs. Mr Herdman, who appeared for Mr Naylor, gave notice of appeal.