WEECK OF AN EMIGRANT SHIP.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1649, 17 November 1873, Page 2

WEECK OF AN EMIGRANT SHIP.

The clipper ship Dunmail, belonging to Ismay. Imrie, and Co., of 1450 tons register, and classed AAI at Lloyd's: sailed from the Mersey on August .9. for. Melbourne, under the command of ''Captain' Fisn'er. The tide yas ebbing strongly, and there was a strong head wind. She was in charge of a pilot, and after the tug left her, owing to the heavy sea, she became almost unmanageable, and finally sank. Flags of distress^were at once hoisted, and life-boats and* tugs from Liverpool and New Briehton proceeded to the wreck j. they succeeded in rescuing those on board, .including.. 29 passengers. Captain Fisher, and the pilot, and 31 of the crew. Several of the women were greatly exhausted through 'exposure to cold and the heavy seas.thatj broke over them, but .with one or two; exceptions, they have, now quite re covered. The passengers were nearly all Irish people of the working class. The ship was drawing about 19ft of water when she «jonn.d«d on the bar. At the meeting of the Mersey Dock Board on August 14 it was reported by the Pilotage Committee that they had inquired into the circumstances connected with the wreck, and had resolved to cancel the license of the pilot, who was. they considered, entirely to blame The pilot had been in the service of the Board- for 17 years. The vessel and the freight were insured. A Board of ,Tr ide inquiry has deen held, and has resu'ted in thi* suspension of Captain Fisher's certificate for three months. The .Council <>f the Liverpool Mercantile Marine Service Association met on August 27, to consider the decision of theßoardoi Trade Court. The opinion of the members upon .the lecal part of the question was very decided andT unanimous, viz. :— That under a cbm|ralsory system of pilotage, and having committed the charge of the ship to a duly licensed and qualified pilot,! : the iicaptdin. should , not be held-* responsible. "On the motion. of Captain Ballantine, seconded by Captain Rees, a resolution was adopted in favor-of memorialising the Board of Trade to that effect.