MARINE INQUIRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4425, 3 August 1901, Page 7

MARINE INQUIRY.

THE LOSS OF THE LIZZIE BELL.rnrss, association. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 2. The inquiry into the loss of the barque Lizzie Bell, which was wrecked on the Whamaka Reef- on the night of the 24th u 11., was resumed this morning before Mr Stanford, S.M., and Captains Hood and Adamson, assessors. James Buttcrworth, who was sent by tho Collector of Customs to report on tho boats and look after the wreckage, said the life-boat should fie steered with a steer oar, not a rudder. It would then bo less liable to capsize. Claude Barrow, first mate, said' the whole of the crew were perfectly sober when flip vessel left Wellington. When ho came on duty he saw Stephen Island lighthouse. The second mate gave him tho course north-west magnetic, and while he was on duty the course was unaltered. He was relieved by the second mate at 8 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. William James Arhuckle, apprentice, said ho was on watch when the vessel struck. He heard Simmons say there was land ahead just before the vessel struck.