WRECK OF THE LIZZIE BELL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7066, 27 July 1901, Page 3

WRECK OF THE LIZZIE BELL.

THE INQUEST.

Per Press Association,

Ha wee a, July 27. At the inquest yesterday on the bodies from the wreck of (the Lizzie Bell, the Captain stated—" We were abreast of the Two Brothers at about 3 p.m., about eight miles off. Shaped the ship's course for Stephen's Island, which we made about 5 p.m. Then shaped the coursefrom Stephen's Island for Cape Farewell, which we. expected te see about 12 o'clock. I was ou deck tho whole time from when wo started, the officers taking the usual watches. At about 9 p.m. I sent the second officer aloft to see if he could discern the Cape Farewell light and again at about, 10 o'clock and once more soon after, saying he must see it. I noticed the log registered 43deg. from Stephen's Island. Went down aud marked it on the chart. When I arrived I heard some one say there was land on tho lee bow. I ran up at once and the helm was put down to port. The ship struck heavily. Lowered the main top gallant sail and called all hauds on deck. By this time Jhe ship was bumping heavily, throwing one off one's feet. She was eight miles west of Stephen's Island when passing, and.altered-her course by N.W. by W. magnetic. Kept that course until the ship struck. The compasses were adjusted at Glasgow before the ship left. The 'ship was sailing at 9s-to 10 knots at the time of- striking, and was under top gallant ; sail, -It was on'a.-'reef she struck, about one and" a half to two miles fronr shore. There was a fresh S.E. wiud blowing, and the night was partly clear, and there ■ was a moderate." sea. Had a man on the look-out and the second officer was on the poop at the time the ship struck. I thought the land called out by the man ou the look-out was a cloud.. I cannot account for the ship bomg out of her course, unless some • current sits- in towards the reef. A lighthouse would have prevented, us reaching' the point where the ship struck. I know "the ship's crew were all perfectly sober. Barrow, the mate, said that at 6 o'clock the ship was ten miles N.W. by W magnetic, from Stephen's Island. The course was not altered up to 8 o'clock when he turned in. The ship was set to steer clear of Cape Farewell. Glen, the lookout man said the second mato came on his roundat six bells. Witness told him he thought it was land on our starboard bow. He said it was not land. About 20 minutes later the ship struck. He could not fee any breakers until she struck. The jury a verdict of death by drowning in the case of Simmons, Lang and Chappell, and of exhaustion in the case of Olley, Perry and Jones, and added a rider that a lighthouse should be erected at the mouth of the Oeo River. Pihama, July 27. Chappell's body came ashore yesterday. The men will be buried in the Pihama cemetery to-morrow afternoon. Captain Rees is still weak, but is recovering. The others are improving wonderfully.' " The vessol has almost disappeared.