Inquiry:
From the evidence given by some experienced shipmasters, the Board are confirmed in the opinion that the risk of navigating the Queensland coast is considerably enhanced during the hurricane months, or from December to April; and, although with plenty of sea room and a well-found ship (steam or sail), the observant master can, by heaving to on the right tack, or keeping out of the path of the storm, invariably avert disaster, indeed, at times make it a fair wind to his destined port; but when caught inside the Barrier Reef, with the number of islands and reefs intervening, the Board think it will be generally conceded that the only element of safety is to be found in securing the best anchorage available and several harbours of refuge exist along this part of the coast.
Although the Board came to the conclusion that Captain Knight was unimpeachable and the Yongala thoroughly seaworthy, the message was resoundingly clear:
Board think it will be generally conceded that the only element of safety is to be found in securing the best anchorage available and several harbours of refuge exist along this part of the coast.
When all is said and done Captain Knight should have run the risk of losing deck cargo and sought anchorage off one of the islands within the Whitsunday passage.
From the evidence given by some experienced shipmasters, the Board are confirmed in the opinion that the risk of navigating the Queensland coast is considerably enhanced during the hurricane months, or from December to April; and, although with plenty of sea room and a well-found ship (steam or sail), the observant master can, by heaving to on the right tack, or keeping out of the path of the storm, invariably avert disaster, indeed, at times make it a fair wind to his destined port; but when caught inside the Barrier Reef, with the number of islands and reefs intervening, the Board think it will be generally conceded that the only element of safety is to be found in securing the best anchorage available and several harbours of refuge exist along this part of the coast.
Although the Board came to the conclusion that Captain Knight was unimpeachable and the Yongala thoroughly seaworthy, the message was resoundingly clear:
Board think it will be generally conceded that the only element of safety is to be found in securing the best anchorage available and several harbours of refuge exist along this part of the coast.
When all is said and done Captain Knight should have run the risk of losing deck cargo and sought anchorage off one of the islands within the Whitsunday passage.
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