H.—ls

Return of Wrecks and Casualties to Shipping reported to the Marine Department, etc.— continued.

38

I S s-j dumber of Nature of Number "Wind. £y. IStniaass. j »* *g I „• p , " Lives Casualburred. Dhep Finding of Court of Inquiry. Name of Master. j Si | | gers. Car «»" Casualt >'- Iost " tioT F °™ 1926. : Oct. 2 i Opua, s.s., 24 years Schooner 288 18 Nil General, 8 tons Total loss .. Nil Near Cape Palliser, N.E. Light .. The Court found that the casualty was con- E. H. Fowler. N.Z. tributed to by an error of judgment on the part of the master in setting too fine a course from Castlepoint to Cape Palliser, and in having no lookout with a knowledge of the coast during the second officer's ; watch : further, that the second officer, who was unacquainted with the coast, committed an error of judgment in failing to call the master after 2 a.m. when the weather towards the land became so hazy. There is no evidence of neglect or default by any officer or member of the crew. The certificates of the master and second officer were returned, but the Court ordered the master to pay £6 6s. and the second officer £3 3s. towards the cost of the inquiry Oct. 8 Tokelau, a u x. Ketch .. 38 6 Nil General, 20 tons Total loss .. Nil j Fakaofo, Union Islands S.W. 4 Engines failed to start when required, and T.Rowlands, ketch, 2 years i vessel would not manoeuvre under sail in sufficient time to prevent the mishap. Ship total loss. All cargo landed, but ! | partly damaged Oct. 13 Kaituna, s.s., 22 Schooner 1,208 32 Nil Coal, 1,500 tons Grounded .. Nil Tauranga Harbour, N.Z. N.W. Smooth While entering Tauranga Harbour ship H. M. Hurley, years ; touched lightly, and remained fast for one j and a quarter hours, coming off with own engines. Went ashore again on bank other side of channel and remained fast three hours, coming off with rising tide and own | power. Bottom of vessel slightly damaged Oct. 15 Omana, e.s., 13 F. and A. 49 6 Nil General. 10 tons Grounded .. Nil Off Tiritiri Island. N.Z. N.W. Fresh .. Cleared Motukete passage at 1.20 a.m. Helms- R. McKinnon. years man told to steer for Tiritiri light, which was visible ship's head compass S.E. by E. Later heavy rain obscured light. Continued I I on same course for one hour, then slowed j down for fifteen minutes as no land visible owing to heavy rain. Was about to put to sea when vessel struck. Floated off seven hours later. Proceeded to Auckland; I vessel made very little water. No damage j to cargo or ship Oct. 20 Colac, s.s. 6 years F. and A. 1,938 38 Nil General, 4,112 Grounded .. Nil Panama Canal .. S.E. 2 While steaming through Panama Canal struck | J.C.Leslie. tons scft mud through vessel sheering to port, I apparently without cause. No damage I