43

H.—ls

i n While the "Wingatui" was proceeding to- S.Hewitt. j 1 i wards the Eastern Princes Wharf she Nov. 27 j Wingatui, s.s., 14 Schooner 1.344 32 .. 300 tons general | j dropped anchor and 15 fathoms of cable. C.N.Jones, years .. .. Auckland, N.Z. .. W. 5 <j The tide caught the stern of the ship, Nov. 27 Port Wellington, Schooner 4,784 84 6 8,000 tons general j causing her to sheer towards the "Port s.s., 5 years j Wellington." Very slight damage to each L vessel Nov. 27 Southern Cross. Schooner 403 34 22 40 tons stores .. Stranded .. .. Varingi .Lagoon, Ysa- N.W. Light .. After entering the lagoon the weather became A. H. W. Bur s.s., 14 years bel Island, British overcast, obliterating the land, with the gess. Solomon Islands result that vessel grounded. No damage to vessel Dec. 3 Canadian High- Schooner 3,260 34 2 1,500 tons general Lost propeller-blade .. Off N.Z. coast N. 2 A distinct shock was felt, but no sign of float- P. S. Robert - lander, s.s., 7 ing logs or debris could be seen. Speed was son. years reduced,, and it was found that one propellerblade was gone and one blade damaged Dec. 5 Wingatui, s.s., 14 Schooner 1,344 30 .. General .. Grounded .. Otago Harbour, N.Z... N.E. 6 The rocker-shaft bearing broke, putting engines S.Hewitt. years i out of action, while vessel was proceeding down Victoria Channel, with the result that vessel grounded on the mud at side of channel Dec. 9 Parera s.s., 7 years Schooner 251 17 .. Stranded .. .. Walker Rock, off Jack- N. Light .. The Court found that, having regard to the P. A. Miles. son Head, N.Z. ' thick weather prevailing at the time, and to the course set by the master, which was calculated to bring him within slightly over a mile off Walker Rock, the master committed an error of judgment in standing on his course too long, and that error was, in the opinion of the Court, the cause of the stranding. The Court ordered the master pay the costs of the inquiry, £10 10s. Dec. 9 Invercargill, s.s., Schooner 123 12 .. 10 tons general Stranded .. .. Ohau Point, Cook N. Light .. The Court found that the log had not been J. J. Smith. 43 years i Strait, N.Z. streamed, and that no soundings had been taken ; and that, having regard to the thick weather prevailing and to the fact that the vessel was approaching a dangerous shore the line of which was gradually converging on the course of the ship, and that no land or light had been sighted, and to the fact that the currents in and near Cook Strait are known to be erratic, the Court is of opinion that the master showed some lack of care in not streaming his log and in not taking a sounding. The combined precautions, if taken, would probably have avoided the stranding. The master was ordered to pay £5 5s. towards costs of inquiry Dec. 12 Hertford, s.s., 12 Schooner 10,922 57 .. General .. Leaky valve .. . • Auckland, N.Z. E. 3 On opening up No. 5 lower hold it was found C. R. Kettle well, years | that a quantity of water was on the floor of the starboard side of the tunnel —probably due to a valve being improperly closed, I 1 owing to some obstruction