WRECK OF THE LIZZIE BELL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12570, 3 August 1901, Page 8

WRECK OF THE LIZZIE BELL.

THE INQUIRY. [Per Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, August 2. The inquiry touching the wreck of the Lizzie Bell was resumed this morning. James Butterworth, who was sent by the Collector of Customs to report on the boats and look after the wreckage, said that the lifeboat should be steered with a steer-oar, not a rudder. It was less liable to capsize.

Claude Barrow, the first male, said the whole mew were perfectly sober when the vessel left Wellington. When ho came on duty he saw the Stephens Island Lighthouse. The second mate gave him the course, north-west magnetic, and while he was on duty the course was not altered. Ho was relieved again by (he- second mate at eight o’clock, and gave him the course, north north-west. He knew no more till the vessel struck.' The.'only explanation of the disaster he could offer was that something may have affected the compasses, or some heavy under-current may have carried the vessel out of her course. There was no standard compass on board. The captain did the navigating work. Arbuckle, an apprentice, said he was on watch when the vessel struck. He heard Simmons say there Avas land ahead just before the vessel struck. Tickell and Harding also rvere examined, but gaA-c no fresh evidence of importance. Captain Grant, master of the Takapuna., which Avas in, port to-day. had been subpcenaed, but declined to leave, his vessel oAving to the state of the weather and a fear'of his ship breaking her moorings. ■ The Court decided, Avith the consent of counsel for Captain Rees, to accept the contents of the “Ncav Zealand Pilot” as expert evidence on the state of the tides and currents in the Strait. The decision will, if possible, be given on Monday.