NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3128, 12 April 1883, Page 3

NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

[By Telegraph.]

Christchurch, April 12. An inquiry is now proceeding at the Custom House, Lyttelton, into the accident to the English barque Monarch while crossing the Port Chalmers bar on Saturday last. The master of the vessel , j n his evidence said the pilot came on board at 4 p.m. and took charge of the ship. The tug. Plucky came to the ship’s side at 6.15 a.m. on the 31st. Before that time I had already told the pilot that I did not like the appearance of the weather and disliked the idea of putting to sea under the circumstances. The wind was from S.S.E. The pilot in speaking of the probable condition of the bar was of opinion that there ought to be no danger as he had ordered three balls to be hoisted at the Taiaroa Head signal station, should the bar be in any way doubtful. As no signal was shown, he wished in any case to weigh and proceed down towards the bar so as to judge for himself. He insisted to be permitted to take the vessel over if he deemed the bar fit to be crossed, explaining that there would be no end of talk regarding the capabilities of the pilots or their lackof energy,should the ship be detained without cause. X left the matter in the pilot’s hands, but warned him not to expose the ship to any risk if doubtful about the condition of the bar, as I wonld rather wait weeks than have the vessel touch the ground. The pilot seeing the steamer Waitaki, coming in, passing close to us, hailed the master and asked if there was much swell on the bar, and received the reply “ Ho.” He immediately gave the order to weigh anchor and for the tug to She was fastened alongside of the ship, on the port side, and towed us in that manner till we arrived as far as the lightship. The signal MLP (meaning “ Wait for high water,”) was shown from the Taiaroa signal station, which was acknowledged, and the tug in consequence ceased to tow. A little later on a boat was observed coming towards the ship from Taiaroa in which Pilot Patton was recognised, and the tug was made to tow slowly towards him. He came on board at 7.45 a.m. He was of opinion that the bar did not look dangerous, but that it was too early to cross over. Having stopped the speed for about a quarter of an hour, and after consulting Pilot Patton, Pilot Kelly made up bis mind that he would attempt to take the ship over ordering the tug to go before the bow to receive the ships tow rope. He also ordered the lower topsail to be set. Pilot Patton recommended to have the jibs set as well, which was ordered and done, and we came down towards the bar. Pilot Patten observed that the ocean swell appeared to have increased in size since he left the Taiaroa for the purpose of meeting the ship, and some breakers showed to the north of the fairway or channel. The time was now 8,15 a.m. Suddenly the forefoot of the vessel struck aground though not very severely, but another very bard bump followed, lifting as it appeared the whole bow, and violently shaking the foremast, causing at the same time an ugly creaking sound in every part of the ship. A short while afterwards a grating sensation was felt, as if the keel was dragging along the bottom and then followed the third bump, which was a very severe one. It hit apparently abaft the main mast, violently shaking it and causing a cracking noise that made me believe the vessel bad burst open. Two more severe bumpings following, hitting the stem part of the keel, after which the vessel was afloat outside the bar. The well was sounded through the port pump. This was at about 8.35 a.m., about 11 inches of water was found. At 8.45 Pilot Kelly ordered the tow ,rope to behanledon. I requested the pilots to stay for another hour or more to see if there was any serious leakage. The vessel, under small canvas, tacked to and fro. At 9.55 a.m. I sounded the port pump and found 13 inches, showing a leakage of 3 inches in an hour. The tug was standing by in the meantime. I asked the pilot’s If it were possible to bring the vessel into Port Chalmers again on the following high-water, and they recognised the impossibility of so doing, I then asked if it would be advisable to anchor in Blneskin Bay to await a better state of the bar. This they strongly rocommended me not' to do, as being quite unsafe. 1 then declared my determination of sailing towards Lyttelton and making that port.