ASSAULT ON HIGH SEAS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 238, 8 October 1936, Page 8

ASSAULT ON HIGH SEAS

QUARTERMASTER CHARGED STRUGGLE AT THE- WHEEL INCIDENT ON REMUERA | Per Press Association] CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 7. With the ship following a zig-za course, the third officer and quarter master struggled at the wheel of th Remuera as the vessel was passin Cape Campbell on Monday nigh Later the ship’s axe, thrown by th quartermaster, crashed through th glass panel into the captain’s cabir where the third officer had gon seeking aid. The quartermaster fo lowed the axe and grappled with th mate, but received a black eye an was taken into custody. The quartermaster, James Lund; aged 42, a native of Ireland, a[ peared in Court this morning chan ed with assaulting the third mail Harold Hill, on the high seas. Lund: was sentenced to three months’ har labour by Mr Levvey, and ordered t be placed on the ship at the end c the term. The police said that the Rcmuer sailed from Wellington at 5 o’cloc on Monrlay. Lundy was due on th bridge at 8 o'clock, but arrived to minutes late. The third mate kne that Lundy had been drinking in We lington, and after a few minutes ser for another man to take the whei as the mate was anxious to get a accurate bearing at Cape Campbel Lundy refused to go, but after struggle was put out of the whet house. Lundy returned and IT I mate went into the captain’s cabi to call lhe captain, and there was crash as an axe came through tli panel. Hill, in his evidence, said thr soon after Lundy took the wheal F found the ship off her course. Th chart produced by Hill indicated ths a zig-zag course had been taken, an rail said he found it impossible t | get another bearing with Lund ■ steering. In his evidence Lundy said th mate told him the ship was off he course, and his reply was that F was bringing her back. He claime that the mate had struck him an stupefied him. After he was put o the bridge he saw the axe, and th sight of it. tempted him to threate the third officer. In reply to the magistrate. Lund declared that his mind was a blan from the time he was alleged to t struck outside the wheel house unt he found himself in the captain cabin.