SYDNEY HARBOR DISASTER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2406, 22 January 1909, Page 5

SYDNEY HARBOR DISASTER

CABLE NEWS

COURT OF INQUIRY. MASTER OF STEAMER AND COXSWAIN OF LAUNCH CONDEMNED.

United Press Association. Copyright (Received Jan,. 22, 12.22 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 21. The Marine Court of Inquiry into the _ naval disaster found that the collision was caused by the wrongful act of Samuel Bryant, who was in charge of tlio launch with the pinnace in tow, by improperly crossing the bows of the Dunmore, and by the wrongful act of Captain Hanson, of the Dunmore, in not keeping >a- proper look-out. The Court called on Captain Hansen, to 'show cause why his certificate should not be dealt with.

The'presiding Judge said that by the exercise of ordinary foresight, and by keeping a proper look-out, the coxswain in charge of the launch must have seen that, by shaping the course he did, ho would put the launch in the position of crossing tho vessel, having the other on his starboard side. The Court was of opin--ion, that this was primarily the cause of the mishap. The fact that he had something in tow in no way prevented him from taking a safer, course. While this was so, the Court was unable to acquit the master of tlio Dunmore from blame. If he had acted differently, the accident might have been avoided. In manoeuvring he clearly ought to have intimated that he was changing his course to starboard. Although there was this occasion, it did not contribute to tho accident, hut there was no proper look-out kept. If there had bceii-Uio accident lfiight havo been avoided.