THE FORREST HALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2451, 16 March 1909, Page 6

THE FORREST HALL.

STARTLING EYIDENCE. (Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 15. The Court of Inquiry into the wreck of the Forrest Hail began this morning. John Collins, master of the Forrest Hall, stated that at daylight on February 27 the ship was heading for the land, 15 miles distant, with all sails set. He had instructel the chief officer to keep her as close in as possible to make a favorable port tack. He relieved the chief officer at 9 o’clock. About four miles off land the- crew were called to stand by to ’bout ship. He kept the vessel on her course till 9.30, when she grazed tho bottom, about a mile and a-half from the shore, and remained fast. About three minutes before the vessel struck the mate told the man at the wheel to port the helm hard up, but witness -countermanded, the order, and told him to keep straight on. vo did not take soundings, as he believed they were well outside the line of danger. The intended course was through Cook’s Strait, or round the south' of New Zealand. The ship took a list to starboard. Witness gave the crew permission to leave her. . He gave a small quantity of drink to the men on tho beach, and two bottles of rum brought ashore were stolen. A keg of rum was left aboard. He hoard afterwards that it was brought ashore. Mr. Mayo (solicitor) said that as a matter of fact tho men went out to the ship to rescue the second officer and a seaman named Passmore. They came back without them, hut brought the keg of rum.

Captain Collins continued: Before ho left the beach complaints wore made that the crew were destroying stores, throwing food over the rocks, and breaking chests of tea. , They must have been mad or drunk. Complaint was made to him that a man named Ramsay chased one of the crow about the beach, brandishing a knife. Witness saw Peterson with his head cut open. Witness was too ill to interfere, but tbo mate knew, and should nave acted. Ho attributed the wreck to an error of judgment, possibly affected by the state of his health. William Glass, chief officer of the Forrest Hall, 'deposed that a few minutes before the ship struck he advised the captain to turn her round. the ! captain replied that he was the responsible man aboard. Witness added. ‘ : The ship’s .going ashore.” lie called to. the helmsman, ‘/Hard up lielm; keep her away.” The captain said, * cep her full, and I will take the responsibility.” The captain then ordered the witness off the poop. He had seen nothing unusual about the captain’s health. There was no justification for anyone saying he (witness) was under the influence of liquor. He did not sec any riot on Saturday night, but the men were jolly. When getting the stores off witness had a few words ■with the steward, and struck him. A slight -struggle ensued, in which' the cook lifted an axe to him. Frank Hudson, A. 13., who was at *bhe wheel: when the vessel grounded, stated that after the vessel struck first, she sailed on for about two miles before she touched again and grounded, in cross-examination, he stuck to his statement, saying that he distinctlyfelt the vessel touch ■ the first time, about an hour before grounding. It was stated that the only information available as to insurances was that the vessel was. partly insured at Home

The Court held that the inquiry should not be closed until full particulars of insurances were available. The inquiry was acordingly adjourned till Friday.