The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1912.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3578, 18 July 1912, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1912.

It will be seen that- the Nautical Inquiry delivered its finding relative to the stranding of trie Star of Canada, at a sitting which took place yesterday. The verdict of the Court —which was composed 'of Mr Barton, S.M., and Captains Post and Ohrisp—was, in effect, that the unfortunate event was the result of pure accident and misadventure. Captain Hart, as might be expected, has simply liGGii showered with congratulations in view of the decision, which, of course, is one of complete exoneration of any suspicion of neglect or carelessness on his own part or that of his officers and men. Under all the circumstances it will not, we think, occasion any surprise that the finding was of the nature of that returned. In the first place Captain Hart has a record of ability of which nnv man might well feel proud. For thirtyfour years, he lias followed the sea, and it is worthy of note not only that lie has been in the service of the one firm for the whole of that lengthy period, but that, although lie has held the position of master for over 20 years, none of the other vessels which lie commanded suffered a casualty! But, of course, in making its investigations into the mishap to the Star of Canada the Court would be guided, quite apart from Captain Hart’s splendid record of seamanship, chiefly by the circumstances under which the vessel came to grief. As to the conditions which obtained at the time of the mishap the Court of Inquiry, it will, then, be observed, found that they were quite exceptional and such ias could not possibly have Been foreseen. Now, with respect to the harbor itself, it is also satisfactory to

The Wreck of the Star of Canada.

note that the evidence given in no way detracted from its Very creditable reputation. The Star of Canada, as is well-known, was lying in the roadstead ready‘to complete her leading. Her anchorage, the Harbormaster had told her experienced master, was believed to be the safest in the Bay. What is more, Captain Camming appears to have felt justified in. going ( further, for he also gave it as his expert opinion to Captain Hart “that he did not think a vessel c-ould drag from it in any weather.” During her stay in the roadstead the Star of Canada, in accordance, with the usual practice, was riding to only ‘one anchor, the starboard anchor, and no evidence was tendered to show that such a state of affairs is one that should be departed, from under ordinary circumstances.- Now, in this connection, the next important fact, it seems to us, was the remarkable character of the weather on the evening in question. At 9 p.m. it is shown beyond dispute, the Tuatea was ready to tender the Mokoia, and it is unquestionably the case that the south-ern-bound passenger steamer would; have been tendered had she not failed to put in an appearance. And yet, only two hours later the Star of Canada, unable to withstand a sudden squall of hurricane force, is driven ashore! No question, it will be agreed, can possibly arise as to the severity of the squalls which came down on this portion of the Dominion between 11 p.m. on the Sunday night and 1.30 a.m. on the Monday morning. That such extraordinary weather would be experienced, not a single soul was, perhaps, able to foresee. As proof of this contention it is only necessary to mention that just before noon on the day in question a special official weather report to the local Harbor Board merely indicated southerly wind, in strength from strong to gale. Next day the Government Meteorologist, it is interesting to mention, made it plain that he had been unable to forecast such unusual weather for he stated in his daily re-* port “'that a cyclonic disturbance (oil the East Coast) lias apparently passed to seaward!” It must then acknowledged that if the Star of Canada had been at any other port the sudden advent of such adverse weather conditions might have led to a similar unfortunate disaster. Reverting to the position as far as Captain Hart is concerned, it will lie further observed that probably the chief point for inquiry was as to whether he left Ills decision to proceed to sea too late. Under ordinary circumstances the kind of weather most to be feared in respect of vessels in the roadstead (as is well-known) is southeasterly weather. Now it was not shown that weather from that quarter was experienced on the evening in qustion. Then, again, unless southerly or south-easterly weather of a very severe nature be expected, the big boats do not leave their anchorages in the Bay. In this regard, too, the Court found that the circumstances did not require Captain Hart to come to a decision to proceed to sea earlier than was the case. The great pity about the whole matter is. of course, that everything depended only on two or three minutes! Had the disastrous squall hung off for only that brief period Captain Hart would assuredly have had no difficulty in getting the Star of Canada away to sea. Under all the circumstances it- is then very satisfactory that no blame has- been allowed to attach to Captain Hart and his staff and, although the Court of Inquiry was not specificially required to investigate as to the position in respect of the harbor, no evidence was disclosed to show that it is other than quite as. safe as any other port.