THE IDA ZEIGLER.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1028, 6 March 1869, Page 2

THE IDA ZEIGLER.

The preliminary official inquiry into the circumstances attending the wreck of the Ida Zeigler, was held in the Custom-house, on Tuesday last, March 2, before J. M. Tabuteau, Esq., Collector of Customs. - The following is the evidence then adduced: — Captain George Sellars deposed : I went on board on Friday, the 26th February, about 1 p.m. Found the sea running heavy, so much so that I found the lighter could not go alongside the ship. I lowered the life-boat from the ship, and took self and sheep on board, and the lighter returned to the inner harbour without discharging. During the night the wind increased considerably. At this time I was attached to the moorings on our chain with fifty fathoms, besides. 4s fathoms on the mushroom anchor. We rode on the single chain until 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. Then, finding the wind and sea increasing, let go the second anchor, and veered away on both chains— Bs on the starboard chain and 30 on the port chain. At 10 a.m., during a heavy squall, the ship parted her starboard chain. I then veered away the whole of the port cable, and then immediately began to get a spring on port cable, to enable me to heave in the starboard chain, which was hanging over -the bow. Whilst doing this she struck the ground aft ; she struck five or six times heavily. I took soundings previous to letting, go the second anchor, and also afterwards. Sounded 4_- fathoms, the ship drawing over 18 feet. Owing to her striking the ground, the ship parted her second cable. She was then somewhat less than a mile off the beach. On the second cable parting, gave orders for jibs, staysail, and foresail to be sefc. : Finding the ship would not wear, slipped the whole of the starboard chain, which was hanging overboard, to let her pay off to starboard; then steered directly for the beach, in order to save life, and, if possible, property. On reaching the beach took immediate steps to land the people, which was done without casualty, by the valuable assistance from the people on shore. Samuel Plumley, chief mate, deposed: On Friday, at noon, I took an observation from the barometer sympiezomefcer and aneroid, indicating 29.95. The weather was fine, with an increasing breeze from the eastward," and a high sea running; there had been a swell running in all the morning. The captain came on board about 1 o'clock p.m. The lighter; the captain came in, had to return to the. inner harbour without discharging, it being impossible to come alongside without damage. The ship lay to the single anchor moorings until 9 o'clock the following morning (Saturday), when we found she was straining at the starboard. chain by springs. Then let go the port anchor, and gave her 30 fathoms.on each chain. At this time there was 85 fathoms out on starboard of ship's chain, and 35 fathoms on port chain ; the windlass was chocked and the pawls tommed down about 10 o'clock a.m. The starboard chain went at some considerable distance from the ship —1 should think about 30 fathoms. We then gave her the whole of the port chain, 90 fathoms. We were in the act of getting a spring put to the port chain, for the purpose of easing the cable up to make use of the windlass to heave in the remainder of the starboard chain, when the port chain went — parted close to the hawse. The diameter of the chain was not less than If inches — the starboard rather stouter of the two. The captain then gave orders for the jibs, foretopmast staysail, and foresail, to be set, with a view, I should think, of running the vessel on shore. I perceived the vessel struck several times before she parted her second chain. She was also striking whilst setting the sail. I took soundings on Friday, at 12 o'clock a.m., and found 4f fathoms, and after letting go the second anchor there was 4_- fathoms. Orders were given to slip the remaining portion of the starboard chain then hanging overboard, for the purpose of letting the vessel pay off. I consider that the ship rode easier at our former anchorage (we then had 6J fathoms), having as heavy weather, but perhaps not so much sea. Thomas Davies, second mate, deposed : I can testify to what the former witnesses have said, and have nothing further to add. I believe everything was done that the power of man could do, to save the vessel ; and I further add, that if the ship had been at her former anchorage* she would not have parted her cables. Being extremely busy, I can't say that I felt her strike previous to both chains parting, but I did directly afterwards. James Williamson, carpenter, deposed : I have heard all that the three previous witnesses have said, and confirm it. I saw that the windlass was properly chocked and secured. I felt her strike after the first ohain had parted, and after the second ono had parted also. She struck sufficiently heavy to cause the vessel to leak, but I did not try the pumps. She could not have stood an hour's such thumping without having to slip the cable for safety. Orders were given to me, after the parting of the port chain, to slip the remaining portion of the starboard chain, which I did. I was also ordered to slip the port chain : seeing it was gone in the hawse, there was no use doing so. I consider everything was done to save life, ship, and cargo. Frederick William Armitage, surgeon, deposed : lam not a nautical man, and I know little or nothing about nautical matters. I have heard what the other witnesses have said, and can confirm, in particular, tho striking of the ship before tho port cable parted. I heard the captain givo orders for the sails to be set. He was very cool and collected, and gave no unnecessary orders that I am aware of. Michael Niehel, A.8., deposed : I agree with what all tho former witnesses have said. I felt the bumping previous to the port > chain parting. I was underneath the forecastle, fastening on the spring to tho port chain, when it went ; and, hearing orders given to loose the sails, 1 run forward to loose the jibs.