ENQUIRY INTO THE WRECK OF THE SCHOONER " NORVAL."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 823, 1 July 1879, Page 2

ENQUIRY INTO THE WRECK OF THE SCHOONER " NORVAL."

* (Before D. B. Johnson, Collector of Customs, and Captain Chrisp, Nautical Assessor.) THIS DAY. Captain Conway, master of the sc'aooner, gave evidence as follows : — Left Gisborne on May 21st for Kaiau ; anchored off Kaiau m 7 fathoms on 23rd with light northerly winds, fine weather and smooth sea. At about 9 a.m. on the 24th the sea began to rise, with light easterly wind. Prepared to get underweigh, when it fell calm. The sea increasing had to abandon the getting underweigh. At 8 p.m. the wind came m strong from E.N.E. ; sea heavy and breaking round the vessel. About 2 a.m. on the 25th the starboard chain parted, when the port one was immediately let go. At 3 a.m. the port chain parted. Then uiade sail and stood to the N. with the wind at E.N.E. and heavy sea. On attempting to tack, the vessel missed stays and got m the breakers, when gome of the sails were blown to piece 3. The vessel was then beached to save life. This was about 4 a.ra. Capt. Worsp came on. Saturday, 31st May, and made arrangements with Thompson to launch the vessel, which was not then demaged much. The long continuance of bad weather and heavy sea, ultimately led to the abandonment of the vessel. She was insured m the National Insurance for £1000, and valued ot £1400. She was two years old and well found. My wife and family were on board at the time. By the Assessor : The vessel was fully a mile off shore when I brought np. The holding ground was good, and the sea smooth. It was impossible to work the vessel out before the wind the sea was too heavy. It was blowing a strong gale from the E.N.E. The mate, Thomas Wilson, was alsc examined, and corroborated the evidenc< ° f TV.r^rr^m nljiinr '