The Stranding of the Niwaru.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VI, 8 August 1903, Page 409

The Stranding of the Niwaru.

The judgment in the Niwaru case was delivered on August 1. The conclusions arrived at were as follow: — “We are satisfied from the evidence that the ship was navigated in a seamanlike manner, the captain never having been oil the bridge from the lime of passing- Portland Island until he reached the anchorage. We think, however, that he was deceived by the reports of the soundings given by’ the leadsman, and also in over-estimating his distance from the Bluff Hill light, the lower lights of the town being obscured by the haze. We do not consider that anything has been elicited by’ the inquiry to show that there was that degree ot negligence on the captain’s part to . cause us to recommend that his certificate should ba dealt with. We, however, consider- lie is deserving of severe censure in not stopping his vessel when he reached his supposed position ‘C,’ and verifying that position by accurate soundings. From the evidence of the captain, the ship’s officers, and the harbourmaster, wo think there is no doubt the Niwaru struck on what is known as the 41 fathom patch, which is less than half a mile from the red light on the Breakwater. In conclusion, we think the captain’s certificate should be returned, but that he should be ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry. It was brought out in the. evidence at the inquiry that the port is very imperfectly’ lighted, and the assessors and myself are of opinion that something should be done to remedy the present state of affairs.’’