Kōrero: International law

Local men attempt to salvage material from the wreck of the Forrest Hall at Ninety Mile Beach, in February 1909. Shipwrecks always raise the issue of salvage rights, in this case to a cargo of coal from Chile. The Forrest Hall broke up in the heavy waves and most of her cargo was unable to be salvaged. The shipwreck occurred in controversial circumstances, with the ship running directly on to the beach in broad daylight. A subsequent commission of inquiry raised issues of drunkenness and insurance fraud, but ultimately found the captain guilty of gross negligence.