BLAME APPORTIONED FOR THE LOSS OF THE MAGDALENA

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 October 1949, Page 5

BLAME APPORTIONED FOR THE LOSS OF THE MAGDALENA

LONDON, Oct. 3.—The court of inquiry into the loss of the British liner Magdalena off Rio de Janeiro on April 25 temporarily suspended the certificates of the captain, D. R. Lee, and the first officer, J. Senior, and declared them responsible for the loss of the ship. The Court declared that Lee had been guilty of grave dereliction of duty, and suspended his master’s certificate for two years. Senior’s certificate was suspended for one year.

The Court ruled that the stranding was due to the wrongful omission of the master and the first officer. It said that the first officer had radar at his disposal but did not use it. “On a clear night the ship stranded at least 10 minutes after the first officer obtained course bearings which clearly indicated that to continue on the course would very shortly bring her on to, or dangerously close to, the Tijucas Rocks, marked on the chart,” it said. “We think his failure to take earlier action cannot be excused. He said he was not sure of the position he obtained, but this was a reason for taking immediate action, and not deferring it.”

The Court found that the master and officers did not make proper allowance for a compass error, or pay attention to the fact that the vessel had constantly been getting northward of her course line. It thought the captain should have been on the bridge, since the ship was in confined waters.

The Magdalena was built in 1948, and was on her maiden voyage when she ran aground. Sixty-year-old* Captain Lee, who was to have retired after her next voyage, sat impassive in the back of the court. His eyes fell for a moment when the words “grave dereliction of duty” were read out. He left the Court hurriedly as soon as the Court adjourned.