THE WRECK OF THE LIZZIE BELL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 172, 31 July 1901, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE LIZZIE BELL.

THE MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY.

[united pbess association.]

NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day. The- Magisterial inquiry into the wreck of the barque Lizzie Bell was opened this morning before Mr Stanford, S.M., and Captains Hood and Adainson, Nautical Assessors.

Captain Eees, the first witness, Baid the vessel was well found in every respect when she left Wellington, and the crew were well qualified, and a full complement. The compasses were last tested ashore afc Glasgow, and since then adjusted at sea. Between DvvaecUa and.

Wellington the steering compass was affected by the iron of the vessel. The vessel had also had a narow escape on Ninety Mile Beach when making Port Chalmers, but it was due to' a gale and not to faulty compasses. He sighted Stephen's Island at 5.30 p.m , and at 8 o'clock altered the course to steer clear of Farewell Spit by 25 miles He kept that course till the vessel struck, when the log showed 43 miles from Stephen's Island. He never left the deck from the time he left Wellington. He saw that the wheelman steered coreetly and checked the man's course by the chart every hour. No repost was made to him by the look-out man or tho second mate, but he overheard a discussion on deck and ascertained that, there was land ahead Ho immediately ordered the helm hard a port, and then the vessel struck. Witness had sent the second mate aloft several times, as he expected to get a current off Blind Bay. After the vessel struck she bumped heavily. He ordered out the life-boat and all hands left the ship, a little later broke her back. He put to sea in tho boat, which capsized. After righting her he made for the shore, but again she capsized, losing three or four men, and all the oars. The survivors then drifted ashore. The boats were in good order, and everything possible was done to save life. He had reckoned he was half-way between Farewell Spit and Oco when the vessel struck. He set his course according to the " New Zealand Pilot." 'I here was about 2J points error between the steering compass and the pole compass. A.t Stephen's Island the log was 15 miles out, which might be accoun'ed for by the stiffness of the log. The oars in the life-boat were not secured by lanyards, and every man had a life-belt. {Left Sitting.)