STRANDING OF A STEAMER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1072, 14 December 1903, Page 2

STRANDING OF A STEAMER.

SOMEBOBY’S BAD STEERING

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night-. At the enquiry into the stranding of tho steamer Rubv Seddon in tho Red Sea,

Captain Duncan, iu his evidence, said ho could only suggest had steering and perhaps a cross current as the reason for tho mishap. It rvas to him incomprehensible ii j'.y :ho man at ihu wheel and the look-out man diu not see the land they were running into.

William Fergusson, A. 8., who was on tho bridge on the night of the mishap, said the chief officer was not there, though it was his duty to ho there. Trie chief officer, who had never failed to take his watch before, made no appoaranco until tho vessel struck.

The chief officer, in his evidence, said that tho watches had all got mixed up through the continuous work involved in navigating tho Suez Canal. The witness Fergusson asked tho man at- the wheel, Trestnal, how he was steering, to which lie answered south half west. McCormick, who Trcstrial had relieved, was then called, and said he had told Trestrial the course was south four degrees east, Trestrial said, “ No, you gave south half west.”

In cross-examination Trcstrial admitted be had probably misunderstood McCormick.

The second mate, Fergusson, denied the allegation that ha had been asleep on duty. McEwau, A. 8., who was at tho wheel when tho vessel struck, said the course given him was south four degrees east. About five minutes afterwards tho captain instructed him to steer south by east-. Fergusson altered tho course immediately before the vessel stranded.

The Court reserved juclgmont till Monday.