THE LIZZIE BELL WRECK.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9298, 27 July 1901, Page 8

THE LIZZIE BELL WRECK.

. p Coroner's Inquest. The Jury's Verdict. New Lighthouse Suggested. Another Body W ashed Ashore. (per press association.] Hawera, This day. An inquest was held yesterday on the bodies from the wreck of the Lizzie Bell. The captain stated :—We were abreast the Two Brothers at about 3 p.m., about eight miles off. I shaped the ship's course for Stephen's Island, which we made about 5 p.m. I then shaped the course from Stephen's Island for Cape Farewell, which we expected to see about 11 o'clock. I was on deck the whole time from when we started, the officers taking the usual watches. At about 9 p.m. I sent the second officer aloft to see if he could discern the Cape Farewell light, and again at about 10 o'clock, and once more soon after, saying that he must see it. I noticed that the log registered 43 miles from Stephen's Island. I went down and marked it on the chart, when I heard someone 3ay that there was land on the lee bow. I ran up at once, the helm was put down to port, but the ship struck heavily. I lowered the main top-gallant sail, and called all hands on deck. By this time the ship was bumping heavily, throwing one off one's feet. I was eight miles nor'-west of Stephen's Island when passing, and I altered the course to N. VV. by W., magnetic. I kept that course until the ship struck. The compasses were adjusted at Glasgow before the ship left. The ship was sailing at nine and a-half to ten knots at the time ot striking, and was under top gallant sail. It was on a reef she struck about one and a-half to two miles from the shore. There was a frtsh south east r blowing, the night was partly clear, and there was a moderate sea. Had a man on the look - out. The second officer was on the poop at the time the ship struck. Thought the land called out by the man was acioud. Cannot account for the ship being out of her course, unless some current sets in towards the reef. A lighthouse would have prevented our reaching the point where the ship struck. I know the ship's crew were all perfectly sober. Mr Barrow, mate, said that at 6 o'clock the ship was ten miles N.W. by W., magnetic, from Stephen's Island. The course was not altered up to 8 p.rr.., when he turned in, when it was set to steer clear of Cape Farewell. Glen, the look-out man, said the second mate came on his round at six bells. Witness told him he thought it was land on the staiboard bow. The mate said it was not land. About twenty minutes later the ship struck. Could see no breakers until she struck. The jury returned a verdict of " Death by drowning" in the case of Simmons, Lang, aud Chappell, and of " Exhaustion" in the case of Olley, Perry, and Jor.es. They a-ided a rider, v That a lighthouse should be erected at the mouth joi the Oeo river," PiztAMA, This day. Chappe'.l's body came ashore yesterdu y. The funerals take place at Pihama cemetery to-morrow afternoon. Captain Rees is still weak, but is recovering. The others are improving wonderfully. The vessel has almost disappeared. .