THE SATARA WRECK.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 13059, 29 April 1910, Page 5

THE SATARA WRECK.

MARINE INQUIRY. i , Wrongful Act of the Captain. Press Association.—Telegraph.—Copyright. SYDNEY, April 28. At the Marine Inquiry into the loss of the Satara, Captain Hugill stated that after the vessel struck he took bearings, which put the vessel about a quarter,of a mile north-east of the Edith Break. The pilot stated that he had taken large vessels through tho inner passage mauy times. His object was to get out of the southern current and gain about live miles in the ruu between Newcastle and tho Queensland coast. Shortly before she struck,the ship was heading between the Peak Rock and the Seal Rocks. If she had struck the Edith Break, Peak Rock would have been straight ahead. Instead it was considerably on the port bow. Ho was satisfied ho was clear of the Edith Break. He admitted his pilot’s licence did not authorise him to take charge of vessels outside the Queensland waters, but it bad been customary for Torres Straits pilots to take tharge of ships before getting into their own waters, to _ ascertain the compass deviation and discover how the vessels act.

The captain of a small coasting steamer said ho knew of a submerged, uncharted rock surrounded by deep water eastward of the Edith Break. ■ The Court found that the loss was caused be the wrongful act of Captain Hugill by allowing a course to be set which caused her to strike the Edith Break. He was called on to show cause why his certificate should not he dealt with.