H.—ls.

37

May 12 ' Calm, s.s., 19 years Schooner 523 19 .. 300 tons general I Stranded.. .. .. Waimataitai Beach, j Calm .. ! While on a voyage between Lyttelton and R. V. Manson. N.Z. Timaru the vessel ran into a dense fog, and after running 76 miles by log, was slowed down, and a sounding taken, showing 3 fathoms of water. Vessel was turned out to sea, but she grounded on Waimataitai Beach. Vessel refloated after forty minutes. No damage May 15 Rimutaka, s.s., 28 F.and A. 5,724 103 48 4,500 tons general ■ Damaged .. .. Lat. 27° 22' S., long. E. 11 Encountered very heavy weather during a F. A. Hemming, years 145° 55' W., Pacific cyclone, and vessel sustained considerable Ocean damage May 19 Muritai, s.s., 6 years Schooner 199 6 50 .. Struck wharf .. .. Rona Bay, Wellington, S.E. Strong.. When berthing at Rona Bay the vessel struck E. Cartner. N.Z. the spring pile, causing the port anchor to catch underneath the stringer and breaking the hawse -pipe. May 20 Hauturu, o.e.v., 1 Schooner | 162 11 .. .. j Rivets weeping .. .. Supposed Hokianga bar, .. .. On arrival at Onehunga it was found that two R. Jacksonyear j N.Z. rivets were weeping and the gusset-plate in FoWler. far side of centreboard was bent, probably j i caused through the vessel straining when crossing Hokianga bar May 20 Tofua, s.s., 20 years F. and A. 2,634 84 90 General .. Leaking .. .. .. Lat. 30° 58' S., long. S.W. 4 Chief engineer reported finding a small hole D. McDonald. 175° 55' E., Pacific 1 in. in diameter in bottom of ship underOcean neath mouth of bilge. Probably caused through the swirl of water and grit before entering the pipe May 22 | Calm, s.s., 19 years Schooner 523 19 .. 800 tons general Struck mole .. .. Wanganui River, N.Z. W. Moderate When about 300 ft. inside the moles entrance R. V. Manson. to Wanganui River the vessel took a sheer, and the port bow touched the North Mole breakwater, causing dent in plate and five frames in bilge of forward hold. Cause of accident was probably due to the effect of a strong wash through the half-tide wall of the North Mole on the stern of the vessel, when the bow reached comparatively j smooth water f The Court is of opinion that if the launch J. E. Stevens, j " Valmai " had been properly lighted in accordance with the regulations it would A.C.Thompson, have been detected by the master of the " Te Aroha," and the collision avoided. The Court holds that the master and crew of the " Te Aroha" failed to take the proper steps to save the lives of those on i | board the " Valmai," in not attempting to May 22 Te Aroha, o.e.v., Schooner 56 7 56 tons timber .. ) lower a boat. After full consideration the 19 years Irvir • i miles off entrance Q w T • J Court has concluded that the evidence does May 22 Valmai, o.e.v., 16 Launch 3 3.. .. fooilision .. Nelson Harbour Llght V not definitely prove that Galey's life would y ears | J | have been saved by the launching of the j boat, and it cannot find, therefore, that Galey's life was lost through the wrongful act or default of Captain Stevens, so his certificate will be returned. The Court, however, is unable to completely exonerate | him. The masters of each vessel are I ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry in I equal shares, not exceeding a maximum of 1 ; j (J £10