WRECK OF THE LIZZIE BELL.
THE INQUIRY.
New' Plymouth, July 31,
The magisterial inquiry into the wreck of the Lizzie Bell opened this morning before Ml- Stanford, S.M., and Captains Hood and Adamson,
Captain Eees, the first witness, said the vessel was well found in every respect when she left Wellington. The crew were well qualified and she had a full complement of compasses, which were last tested ashore at Glasgow. Since then they had been adjusted at sea. between Dunedin and Wellington. The steering compass was affected by the iron of the vessel. ■ The,i vessel had. a narrow escape on Ninety Mile Beaoh when making for Port Chalmers, but it was due to faulty compasses. We sighted Stephens' Island at 430 pan., and at eight o'clock altered the course to steer clear of Farewell Spit by 25 miles. Kept that course till the vessel struck, when the log showed 43 miles from Stephens' Island. He never left the deck from the time the ship left Wellington. He saw that the wheelman steered correctly and checked his course by the chart every hour. No report was made to him by the lookout man or the second officer, but he overheard a discussion on deck and ascertained that there was land ahead. He immediately ordered helm hard aport and the vessel struck. He sent the second mate aloft several times as he expected to get into the current off Blind Bay. After the vessel struck, she bumped heavily. He ordered the lifeboat out and all hands left the ship, which a little later broke her back. He put to sea, hut the boat capsized. After righting her he made for the shore, but she again capsized, losing three or four men and all the oars. Then drifted ashore. Boats were m good order and. everything possible was done to save life. He reckoned he was half way between Farewell Spit and Oeo when the vessel struck. He set his course according to the New Zealand pilot. .
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7069, 31 July 1901, Page 3
Word Count
335WRECK OF THE LIZZIE BELL. Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7069, 31 July 1901, Page 3
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