The Wreck of the Lizzie Bell.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11725, 27 July 1901, Page 2

The Wreck of the Lizzie Bell.

THE CORONER'S INQUEST. THE CAPTAIN'S EVIDENCE. fPBU , r AK3S ASSOCIATION. 1 Ha aver \, July 27. — At the inquest yesterday on the bodie3 from the wreck of the Lizzie Bell, the captain stated: — "We were abreast of the Two Brothers at about 3 p.m. When about eigh t miles off I shaped the ship's course for Stephens* Island, which we made about 5 p.m. Then I shaped the course from Stephens' Island for Cape Farewell, which I expected to sse about 12 o'clock. I was on deck the whole time from when we started, the officers taking their usual watches. At about nine p.m. I sent the second officer aloft to * see „if he could discern Cape Farewell .light; again at about 10 o'clock; and once more foon after, saying h&must see it. I noticed the log registered 43 miles from Stephens Island. 1 went down and marked it on the chart, when. l heard someone say there was land on the lee bow. I ran up at once. The helm was put down to port. The ship struck heavily. We lowered the main top gallant sail, and I called ail hands ©n deck. By this time the ship was bumping heavily, throwing one off o .c's feet. We were eight miles nor' west of Stephens Island when passing, and I altered the course by N.W. by W. magnetic and kept that course until the ship struck. The compasses were ad justed at Glasgow before the ship left. The ship wassailing at 9f to 10 knots at the time of striking and was under top gallant sail. It was on a reef she struck, about one and a half to two miles from shore. There was a fresh V.E. wind. The night was partly clear and there was*a moderate sea. I had a man on the look out. Tne second officer was on the poop at the iime the ship struck. I thought the land called -out by the man was a cloud. I cannot account for the ship being out of her course unless some current set in towards the reef. A light house would have prevented us reaching the point where the ship struck. I know the ship's crew were all perfectly sober. Barrow, the mate, said : At six o clock the ship was ten miles N.W. by W magnetic from Stephen's Island. The course was not altered up to eight o'clock/ When I turned in it was set to >>teer clear of Capo Farewell. Glen, the look-out man, *said : The second mate came on his round at six bells. Witness told him he thought there was land on the starboard bow. He said it was not 'land. About twenty minutes later the ship struck. He could see no breakers until she struck. The jury returned a verdict of death by drowning in the case of Simmods, Lang, and Chappell, and of exhaustion in the case of Olley, Perry, and Jones; and added a rider that a lighthouse should be erected at the mouth of the Oeo River. Pihama, July 27.— ChappeU's body came ashore yesterday. The funerals will take place at Pihama cemetery to-morrow afternoon. Captain Reejs is still weak, but recovering The others are improving wonderfnlly. 3 . _ The vessel has almost disappeared. There are no further particulars to throw light on this terrible occurrence, -up to date. The Collector of Customs, Mr H, Bedford left town on Friday afternoon |for the scene of the wreck. He is making arrangements for a MagisteriaJLenqiriry, which will be held a* the 'Courthouse here on Tuesday, 30th July, by Mr 11. L. Stanford, S.M.