THE CASE OF THE LYTTELTON.
[Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 22, The Lyttelton case was continued to-day. A number of witnesses deposed to the ship being down at the head, after getting under weigh. Frank Duncan, one of the pilot crew: Did not think it possible for the ship to have gone over her anchor when it was cast. He did not notice anything peculiar about her trim, and (would swear that the ship got no nearer t. an 40ft to her anchor when it was hauled up. J. H. Sutter, Chairman of the Harbour Board, considered that the pilot had done quite right in dropping the anchor, and said that Captain Storm was a competent and careful man. If the vessel had gone ashore, the pilot would have been prosecuted for not letting go the anchor. If the anchor came in contact with any portion of the flat bottom of the vessel, it would probably glance off. Hugh M'Lennan, examined, said he considered there was plenty of room for the steamer to tow the ship to sea if the ship was in proper trim. Notwithstanding the way the Grafton was heading, she could, if properly handled, have towed the vessel to sea. The pilot acted prudently in porting the ship's helm after she touched the bottom first, notwithstanding that it would draw the steamer out of position. The captain of the Grafton did right in casting off the tow-rope when the ship ported helm. Captain Storm had no alternative but to let go the anchor when the steamer cast off. It was impossible for a vessel drawing 18ft forward and 17ft aft to strike bottom in 26£t, assuming the waves were 6ft high. It was impossible, on any theory on record, to suppose that the anchor would stand on its crown on a bottom like that of the Timaru harbour, and it was also impossible for a ship to go over her anchor without feeling a series of pumps, as it went from frame to frame, and the anchors would be found a few fathoms astern of her. After taking similar evidence to that of McLennan the Court adjourned till tomorrow.
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Bibliographic details
Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8125, 23 March 1887, Page 5
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362THE CASE OF THE LYTTELTON. Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8125, 23 March 1887, Page 5
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