88 The Frederick Gerring, Jr. 



{The Court: The current would have more effect on the seine 

 than it would on the vessel? A. Yes.) 



Q. Would that counteract the tendency of the swell towards 

 the shore? A. Yes. 



Q. Suppose that there is very little wind from the east, and 

 her booms are over as described, would that be sufficient to coun- 

 teract the effect of the swell? A. Yes, it would. 



Q. Suppose a vessel is not fastened to her seine and is headed 

 off shore, and her booms are out as described, and the current is 

 running to the west, and there is very little wind from the east, in 

 what direction would she drift; would she drift to the shore? A. 

 She would drag a little in but not much. 



Q. If there was any wind, would it counteract the swell ? A. 

 It would take very little wind to do it. 



Cross-examined by Mr. Ritchie: 



O. Do you say that assuming the Gerring to have set her 

 net in the place indicated by Capt. MacKenzie, and assuming the 

 other conditions to be as stated, it is impossible that she could drift 

 from that point in a north-westerly direction? A. Yes, it is im- 

 possible. 



O. The position stated by Capt. MacKenzie is represented on 

 the chart marked J. Mc. D. "c?" A. Yes. 



Q. And you say that assuming the conditions to be as stated, 

 it would be impossible for the vessel to drift to White Island? A. 

 Yes, according to the conditions stated. 



Q. In making up your opinion how do you understand that 

 the sails of the Gerring were from the time her net was set down 

 to the time of her seizure? A. It is said that the sails were on the 

 starboard side, that is what I understand. 



Q. How do you understand the vessel was heading during that 

 time? A. I understand that she was heading in a southwardly di- 

 rection from the shore, and that the wind was to the eastward. 



Q. Have you ever been on Gull Ledge? A. I have been all 

 around it, but I have never been on shore. I have sailed pretty 

 close to it, both inside and out. 



Q. Your opinion is that on that day off White Island there 

 was not sufficient swell to take a vessel inshore at all ? A. I don't 

 say it would not take her inshore at all, but it would not be as 

 much as is stated by the witnesses for the crown. 



