SINKING OF KAKARIKI

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 202, 27 July 1937, Page 7

SINKING OF KAKARIKI

SHIP CARADALE BLAMED. NAVIGATORS’ ERROR. HIGH COURT DECISION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received July 27, 8.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 26. Giving judgment in Admiralty jurisdiction in the High Court to-day, Mr Justice Dixon found that the steamer Caradale was blameworthy for the collision at Port Phillip Bay on January 30, resulting in the sinking of the Union Steam Ship Co. of New Zealand’s steamer Kakariki. The Union Co.’s claim for heavy damages in the Admiralty Court will now be referred to tho Registrar of the High Court for the assessment of damages. Mr Justice Dixon said that those navigating the Caradale were off their guard at the critical time and fell into excitement and confusion. He thought a mistake was made by tho master of the Caradale in putting the helm hard to starboard. He saw that the Kakariki had gone to port, and, if he too had gone hard to port, the collision would not have occurred. Mr Justice Dixon’s judgment reverses the finding of the Marine Court, which held the Kakariki to blame. It is yet to be' decided whether the judgment will take the form of a personal judgment against tho owners or against tho Caradale and her cargo. Mr Justice Dixon dismissed a counter-claim by the Caradale’s owners. A stay of proceedings for a month was granted.

The Patrick Line steamer Caradale came into collision with the Union Line steamer Kakariki off Gc’.librand Point light, near Port Phillip, early on the mornng of January 30, and the Kakariki was sunk. Five members of the crow were drowned. The Caradale, a small inter-State freighter, met the Kakariki a few hundred yards from the Gellibrand light, but officers of the lighthouse did not, see the collision. The Caradale was holed In the bows above the water-line.