MATATUA COLLISION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19050, 1 July 1924, Page 7

MATATUA COLLISION.

CONFLICTING EVIDENCE. THE PILOT’S STORY. LONDON, May 1. The inquest was concluded at Gravesend on live bodies of the crew of the Matatua who lost their lives iu the collision with the s.s. American Merchant, in the early hours ot March 24 off Holehaven, at the mouth of the Thames. James Samuel Learmont, pilot in charge of the American Merchant, said that he boarded the vessel at Brixham. The weather was fine and clear, with a strong south-westerly wind blowing, when ne sighted tho Matatua at about five miles distant. Later he observed the mast head lights and the green ligfit on the vessel coming down . the Hope on their pout bow. The angle between the two vessels was increasing rapidly. He drew the attention of the captain to this vessel being on their port bow showing a green light. He expected her to show a red light long before she did. When the Matatua showed her red light she was only about two hundred yards away, and she warned them with one blast, to which the American Merchant responded. On receiving this warning he immediately gave orders to stop engines, and then proceed full steam astern. CORONER’S REMINDER. The Coroner reminded the witness that his evidence did not agree with that given by the captain of the American Merchant at the opening of tho inquiry. Proceeding, witness told the Coroner that he was never out of the tvheelhouse on the bridge. He moved over to the wheel to see that the vessel was hard a-port. A collision was then inevitable. The Matatua did not open her red light soon enough to avoid a collision. Both types of steering gear on the ship were acting perfectly. Witness thought the collision was due to the Matatua not taking action in sufficient time to pass port to port. Everything possible was done by the American Merchant to avoid a collision. He added that the Matatua had been causing him considerable trouble, because he could see the position was critical. The Coroner: Why did you not indicate to the Matatua this anxiety?— I was the “holding-on” vessel, and it was for the Mr/atua to get out of the way. The position of the American Merchant was such that she must keep her course. The Coroner then -called the steersman of the American Merchant, but there was no response. It was stated that the man went on leave two days ago and had not returned. The Coroner said that they had endeavoured to trace the man through the police in London, but had been unable to find him. At the conclusion of the evidence the Coroner said thp.t he could not remember any case in which there had been such a confusion of evidence. \ The jury, without retiring returned a verdict that the men were accidentally killed during a collision between tho two vessels. THE VESSEL’S CARGO. After a week on the mud, during which temporary patching was being effected, the Matatua has been brought up to Tilbury Dock. The work of unloading was begun to-day, and after survey all damaged cargo will be transferred to the Mahia, which it is expected will leave London in about ten days’ time. Damaged cargo which is capable of reconditioning will be sent on to New Zealand by a later boat.