WRECK OF THE ARIADNE. MAGISTERIAL ENQUIRY.

Evening Post, Volume LXI, Issue 85, 12 April 1901, Page 2

WRECK OF THE ARIADNE. MAGISTERIAL ENQUIRY.

[El TELKGKAVH. — PIIES3 ASSOCIATION.] OAMARU, Hth April. A Magisterial enquiry was commenced-to-day into tho wreck of the yacht Ariadne, of 230 tons, on the beach, two miles south of the Waitftki river. Mr. A. (Jr. Creugh appeared for the Collector of Customs, Mr. U D. Hanlon for Captain G. Mumford, and Mr. Newton watched the case in the interest of tho underwriters. The vesfccl \yvls insured for £10,000 at Home. The master of the yacht at the time of the wreck was Captain George Mumford. In his evidence he said he had been engaged in Sydney by Mr. Kerry, the owner. Witness engaged the crew. The vossel was well found in every respect, ! but she had met with heavy weather on the trip across, some of her sails being torn. During tho voyage part of the crew refused duty for a time when ordered to take in sail in a . gale of wind. He had verbal instructions to proceed to Dunedin, to refit ou the 24th March. The vessel was off the Waitaki about 3 | p.m. He then, wore the ship and stood off the land for three hours. Wore the vessel again and stood in for two and a-lialf hour.»i. He then fouud fifteen fathoms of water, and went below to examine his chart, which had since accidentally been burnt. While he was below i the vessel struck. He now attributed the striking oi' the vessel to the strong current at the plaoo retarding the progress of the vossel from the land aud increasing, it on the inward tack. The weather was thiu*. and there Was a stiff breeze blowing at the time. He .supposed the ship to be seven and a-half miles from the land. Before the yacht struck the boatj swain reported down the companion "Breakers on the lee bow," and he ordered the helm to be put hard up, but it was too late, Capfcu,n WiWis, Lloyds' agent in the colony, said he had visited the wreck on uuiu March. Captain Mumford said he had been constantly repairing sails on the trip, as the sewing had perished. H« also said the vessel had been leaking after the -first bad weather, and also said he was much astonished to find the lockers empty when broken open after the wreck, having expected to find electroware in them. Captain -Willis said Captain Mumford's charts were not, in his opinion, sufficient for safe navigatipn. Coastal charts should have been in use. He could not consider from the captain's charts, etc., that it was possible for the current or sea to haye 1 torced the vessel into the position where sho was found. He estimated the value of the vessel at £5000 without the lead ballast. He believed the vessel was built in 1874. The enquiry will be resumed to-morrow.