STRANDING OF THE SCHOONER WANGANUI.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 775, 5 October 1878, Page 2

STRANDING OF THE SCHOONER WANGANUI.

An inquiry into the Stranding of the schooner Wanganui yesterday morning, was leld at the Custom-house to-day, before Robt. Thompson, Esq., Collector of Customs, xncA Captain Sewell, Nautical Assessor. The svidence of Captain Blaney was as follows : —I am a Master Mariner, holding a Certifisatc (N. Z.) of Service No. 2027. I was master of the topsail schooner Wanganui, ihtf sailed from Dunedin, leaving Port Chalmers about 6 p.m. on the 3rd instant! for Oaniaru; passed Taiaroa Heads at 7 p.m., wind S.S.E. and blowing a good stiff whole sail breeze, the vessel going free. The weather was thick with passing showers of drizzling rain. At 10 p.m. Kartigi light was bearing West about five miles distant; at 12.15 a.m., having run the distance by reckoning, hauled vessel in to the westward to pick up the Oaniaru light. In doing so found there was too much wind to carry whole sail ; took in the top-gallant sail and lowered down the mainsail to reef it. On setting the sail I saw the breakers on the beach. I gave orders to slack off the gib sheet tp stay the vessel, In. doing sq she missed stays and having nq roam to wear I gave orders to let go the anchor, and as she came head to the wind her keel touched the beach. Continuing there, the vessel turned broadside on, and the anohor not holding, the vessel was driven high up the beach. The wind still continuing S.S.E., I backed the topsail and kept all sail on to cant the vessel towards the beach.

To Captain Sewell : I had a patent log on board, but did not' make use of it, as I depended on my knowledge of the ship's travelling through the water and the distance to run from the Kartigi light. I shaped a course tfi pass the Ctanuira light, ' distant three irules, but did'" not see' either "if or any of the ioy.ii lights. The weather then being very thick, with a drizzling rain, a gqo.d lpokvGVit \ya_s kept, ail hands being on deck. Bx]jecting to be in the'harbor !" a few minutes, I did not cast the lead, thinking to see the lights every moment, I have been trading to Oamaru for the last 13 years. I feel assured if the original bright light exhibited on the Cape had "been there this mishap would not have occurred. Can see the green light en the Breakwatfii'j winch is only elevated }6£t., sooner than the red liglit'at present exhibited at the Lighthouse (altitude lSoit). T-j-,18 :;tatement js meant for clear weather, the red light during thick weather being useless, I am. part owner of the vessel, and was fully insured up till this last trip, w linn the insurance was reduced LIOQ. My object in doing so was that the vessel not payingvery well. I considered it advisable to take ■](.'<'(■ risk myself, and not have so irmch in: , .n.auue tp pay- I belie \-c the other owners ; i'i insured, but" cannot' say for how much. At the time of the 'accident the vessel's draught was Oft. Gin. aft and sft. forward. At t)io present time the vessel has sustained no damage, '-.phe cargo was all landed in good order. Felix Black, a. seaman, gave corroborative evidence.