The Penguin Wreck.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXVI, Issue 4019, 24 February 1909, Page 3

The Penguin Wreck.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The inquiry into the wreck of the Penguin was resumed today. ‘ Captain Kennedy, of the Mapoarika, stated that on the Saturday following the wreck he passed through Cook Straits with the Mapourika, bound from the West Coast to Wellington. It took him hours to do 13 miles. In witness’ opinion, the course steered by Captain Naylor on the fatal night was a safe one under ordinary conditions. The abnormal “set” through the Straits would account for the accident. Counsel: When there is no light visible in the strait it is suggested that it is the duty of the captain to put out to sea. If that were the rule, what would happen?

Witness: It could not be done. At almost every point on the New Zealand coast the weather alters. It might be calm at the Brothers and a gale blowing at Terawhiti. If a captain followed the course suggested he would be stopping and pull nr out all the time. You must run your ship to a position.

Counsel: You nru-tkeep her going.

Witness! Yes; in Cook St-a t where there are undue influences against you.

Captain Dewhurst, who was also called by Captain Naylor’s counsel, stated that on the 13th his vessel, thes.s. Putiki, was sent eight or nine miles out of her course, while bound from Picton to Wellington. He had never experienced such a heavy “set” before.

Captain Stringer, assistant superintendent of marine, said he last surveyed the Penguin in July, 1908, and the compasses were adjusted in December last. The vessel was in thoroughly good order,-and the boats were particularly good, while the falls of the boats were also in good order. The boats would accomodate 139 people, and the rafts 44. Further evidence chiefly in regard to the currents was taken, the expert evidence being of opinion that Cap tain Naylor steered a proper course. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Another body was recovered at the scene of the Penguin wreck last evening. It has not been identified yet. The body is that of a man, and on one of the fingers is a ring in the shape of a true lover’s knot. Nelson, Last Night. A sequel to the Penguin wreck was the funeral of Mrs Amelia Evans, fifth daughter of the late Mr Richard King, of Wakefield, and wife of Mr Herbert Evans, of Kaponga, Taranaki. There was a large attendance, and flags were flown half mast. Deceased was 32 years old, and was married a year ago last Christmas. In the course of an eloquent sermon in the Anglican Church, Hastings, the Rev. Mr Hobbs paid a high tribute to the tone of their reports of the whole distressing circumstances in connection with the wreck of the ill fated Penguin, and the attendant loss of life. He admired their graphic and sympathetic descriptions which placed the sad catastrophe vividly before their readers, whilst avoiding morbid details calculated to satisfy the vitiated cravings of the lower elements of the community'. He also deplored the fact that a large section of the public should view the impfessive obsequies of the unfortunate individuals drowned in the light of a great amusement, rather than as an act of mourning and respect to those who met their death under such lamentable circumstances.