ENQUIRY INTO THE 'WRECK OF THE P.S. CLEOPATRA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 936, 21 April 1868, Page 2

ENQUIRY INTO THE 'WRECK OF THE P .S. CLEOPATRA.

An enquiry under the " Wrecks Act," into the circumstances attending the wreck of the steamship Cleopatra, was held afc noon on Thursday, in the Resident Magistrate's Court, before J. Coutts Craw* ford. Esq., 11M., Captain Johnson, Nautical Assessor and Mr. Hack worth, Acting Collector of Customs Captain Abraham Palmer stated that his vessel had gone on shore at Poverty Bay, and sustained some trilling injuries. He had taken her to Napier to be repaired, but finding the necessary work could not be done there, sailed on the 2nd inst. for Wellington. At the commencement of the passage the weather was moderate, but shortly afterwards it came on to blow hard from the N.w. Hugged the land as the ship could not hold her own in the gale, and anchored under the Kidnappers for shelter. On the Bth was off Cape Palliser, when the wind suddenly chopped round to the opposite quarter, and blew with equal violence, accompanied by a very heavy sea. 'tried to steam off the land, but findhig the vessel could make no way, horo up to run her on shore in order to save life. The vessel, owing to her Ikht draught, would not steer, and worked very heavily. The ways began to open, and it was with (rreiit difficulty she was kept from broaching to. The pumps were not worked, as it took all hands to steer and manage the vessel. The coals were nearly all expended, though there were four clays' supply on board when she sailed from Napier. Beached the vessel about half-past seven o'clock on Sunday night, and sot to work to save All available moveable property. Got out all that was possible and wont on shore. During the course of the night the vessel broke in halves. Samuel Baker, chief oHicer of the late steamship Cleopatra, said that when the vessel left Napier she was, with the exception of making about two inches of water an hour, in sea-going order. Strong westerly gales were experienced shortly after s-ailing from Napier. There were then about 9ton 3c\vt of coal on board. Capo Palliser was reached on the forenoon of Saturday, 4th. Anchored thereunder the reef, the wind being from the west, with too heavy a sea to round the point into the Strait. lher'e were then about two tons of coal left. At 5 p.m. on Sunday the wind chopped round to the S. W., and blew hard with aheavy sea. Commenced to get under weigh, the vessel pitching heavily, and tried to stand out to sea. Could make no way against the wind and sea, and tho ship was working heavily. The Capt., on consultation with witness and tho engineer, bore up, set tho foresail, and ran for a soft place in White Rock i3ay. Beached between seven and eight p.m., and saved all we could. During Sunday iiight tho vessel broke up. Did not believe that anchoring in White Rock Bay would have been of any service. Archibald Keith, engineer of the late steamer, said that on leaving Napier the vessel leaked considerably. There were ovor nine tons of coal on board. The vessel, in moderate weather, would average between six and seven knots au hour. The engines and boiler were in good order. Tho hourly consumption of coal was about 4cwt. At five o'clock on Sunday evening, sth April, there was nearly two tons of coal left. Tho Capt. got under weigh to get off shore, as tho wind had changed. The vessel worked v<;ry heavily, and shipped large bodies of water. She could make no way against the sea, and it was thought best to bear up and run for a sandy beach, as there was great danger of foundering. Joseph Bradley, seaman, wns at the helm when tho Cleopatra got under weigh on the evening of Sunday, sth. The vessel steered very wildly, and made very hravy weather. This concluded tho evidence. After some deliberation, Mr. Crawford informed Capt. Palmer that the Court was unanimously of opinion that no blame attached to him or the officers of the ship, ab they had acted, under very trying circumstances, to the best of their knowledge and Tho Court then rose.— lndependent, April 10, The s.s. Sfc, Kilda, Capfc. Vox, arrived in the harbor at midnight on the 9th inst., with the passengers

and crew of the above ill-fated vessel. We are informed, through the courtesy of Captain Pox, that on the arrival of the St. Kilda at the scene of the disaster, they found that the Cleopatra had become a total wreck, and was broken completely up, and lay strewn in pieces on anil about the white rock ; the crow in the meanwhile having been most hospitably received at Mr. Barton's station. Although every possible exertion had been made by Captain Palmer, aided by his active crew, nothing could be saved from the wreck but a few clothes, owing to the high seas and heavy surf on the beach. Much praise is due to Captain Palmer for the very prompt manner in which he conveyed the intelligence of the loss of the vessel to the authorities here, having walked overland a distance of between sixty and seventy miles.— Wellington Independent, April 13. The wreck of the paddle steamer Cleopatra, lying at White 33ay Rock, was sold at auction to-day by Mr. A. A. Barnett. She was purchased by Messrs. Routledge. Kennedy and Co., of Napier, for the sum of £127.— Evening J?ost, April 16.