COURTS OF ENQUIRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 1236, 5 September 1878, Page 2

COURTS OF ENQUIRY.

Courts of Enquiry] woro opened at thi Custom House, Timaru, yesterday, regarding Iht. recent wrecks at Timuru. The Court, during the hearing of the Lapwing enquiry was composed of C. E. Cooper, Eeq. (Col lector of Custom?) ; T. W. Hall, Esq., unc Captain Raddcn as Nautical Assessors. Mi Hall was not present during the Glimpse enquiry, and the time that Captain K^nney of the Melrose was giving evidence. During ths day there were alao present to watch the enquiries — Captain [Dunsford, marine surveyor for tho Underwriter*' Association ; Ml Henry Green, aa representative of the New Zealand Insurance Company ; Mr Granger for the National Insurance Company ; Mr W. Evans, agent for the Lapwing ; Mr E. Smith, agent, for the Melroso ; Mr Munro, owner of the Glimpse ; and Mr Greenup, agent for Guthrie and Larnach's Company. THE BRI&ANTINE LAPWING. The first, enquiry m. that m connection with the wr.'ck of the brigantine Lapwing, when the following evidenca was adduced : — "William Anderson : I was maßter of th« briguntine Lapwing, and hailed from Aucklund. I remember the morning of Sunday, September lat. About nine o'clock we were lying at anchor m the 'i'iinarn roadsleid, m five fathoms of water, with the lighthouse bearing about west-south-west. The sei at that time was just beginning to rise, and between 9 and 10 the starboard hawsepipe carried away. I hung a kedge ovpt the bow to carry the weight off the cable. The spring on the cable neit parted. She was then riding with 75 fathoms of cable. When the cable parted >he had 90 fathoms out. As coon as she parted her first Table, about noon, I let go the other anchor of 10 cwt, but she dragged towards shore. I don't think it caught hold at all. The sea at this time was heavier than ever I had seen it, aid was breaking all round her. The wind was northeust the first part of the morning, and then east-south-east, it was a light breeze, and not enough to work out of the harbor. I made all sail I could ready for sailing, and as soon as I was ready I told the second mate, who wat at the wheel, to slip both cables and run her on the beach. Bhe struck something before she touched the ground, but cleared herself. She came on to the beach at the southern railrray viaduct. The crew got out all right by means of a line from tho shore. It was about four o'clock when she touched tho beach. I produce my certificate, as master from the Board of Trade, No. 12,236. There was a signal flying from the Government Landing Service for us to do all we could to hang on, but not for us to let go the second anchor before the first one parted. The lashing of the spring went. The first anchor -was 10 cwt. After the lashing parted

sve put a hawser on the cable as a springrhe cables were lJi r 'Oh. Her faatening3 on ;he port bil^e are started. I cannot say bow mucn damage the vessel has Bustained. Part of her false keel has gone, and the stern post has also started. She was Ijin ; head on to the sea when she parted. She had 75 ftiiho-na cable on the second anchor. She was will found m everything. She was drawi^ g 7ft. water forward, anJ Bft. aft brfore 6he begun to drag. She had 615 bags of flour and grain m her, and from 80 to 100 cons of coal when t he accident- occurred. She was insured. Her registered tannage was 231. She wus passed By the American Lloyda at New York ii October la-t. I huve not lost any chain since I had command of her. Capt'in Dunsford here remarked that if she hud been but a few tons more she would have had to have 210 fathoms chain. Examination continued : She was meaeured and re-survejed m Auckland. She was built at Prince Kd ward's Inland, about 2 years ago. There was a spare anchor, a stream anchor, and two kedg-s aboard. The vessel arrived on 17th August from Newcastle, and was birthed by the Harb«r Master. The springs w.ro not put on by him. Sl)3 was Bhilted by the Harhor Master on Thursdiy, 23th August, m ennsequeuco of fouling her anchors, and nothing occurred from that timo till the accident, happened. Simon McKenzio: I was chief officer of the bri«antine Lapwing, and hold a New Zoaland waster's certificate — (produced) — of competency, No. 27. She armed m the roadstead on the 17th August, and had a cargo of couls abourd from Newcastle, and was berthed by Capiuin Mills, the Harbor Master. On account of her anchors fouling, she was shifted by the Harbor Master on the 29th August. The li"hth')Ußo was bearing weßt.-south-weßt, and blig was m five fai horns of water. She was moored wilh 75 fathomß of chain on tho starboard anchor. Wo put the Government pprings on her directly the 75 fathoms were paid out. Nothing remarkable occurred till about 9 a.m. on Sunday, l»t September, when the sea began to rise very rapidly, from the south-east. About 10 a.m., the starboard hawsepipe went, through the ship's heavy riding. Wo put a kedge over the Bide to take the weight of the chain off the vessel. A short time the lashing of the spring parted. The lashing was 1J inch Manilla, and we put on a ship's hawser of 8 incU Manilla, b«t it parted immediately. We then paij tho chain out to the bare end of 90 fathoms, and shortly afterwards this parted, 'this was about noon. We then let go the port anchor, and gave bar 75 fathoms. This did not ee«m to hold, as the vessel was dragging all the time towards the shore. About 3 p.m. eail was got on her. Tan sea was breaking all around her. We slipped the cable, and sho was headed for the beich. She was beached at the first bay north of the Custom House. All hands got ashore by the assUtunca of a live. There were three bower anchors on board. To my belief, they wero 10 cwt each. Also, 1 stern anchor of 5 cwt, and two kedges. Thero were 90 fathoms of chain on the starboard anchor, and 75 fathoms chain on the port. The vessel was well found m everything, and her gear was m first-rate order— nearly new. She had a full crew. They and myself have partly dismantled her since she came ashore. When the second spring parted, the cable ran out to the end, and from the strain on the cable, lam of opinion another spring would not havo been of any uee. The wind about 9 a.m. light and variable fr >m north-east to east-north-eust, and was liaht east-south-east when she struck. The tide was about two hours off hinh water. It wus impossible from 9 a.m. that morning to work the vessel out, as there was no wind. Al.-xan-ler Mills: I am Harbormaster of the port of Timaru. The brigantine Lapwing arrived m harbor on the 17th of August. I brought her up to tho usual anchorage 'or yes-els of her class (the lighthouse bearing west south-west by compass), m five fathom* water, wilh 75 fathoms cable. I supplied her with Government springs, which were put on. Everything went on well till I shifted her again on Ihe 29th of August, with the same amount of cable, and placed her m about the same position as before. She eeemed to be well found m anchors and chains, and I was quite satisfied with them. About 8 o'clock on Sunday morning the sea was beuinningto make for the «outh-east,there notbeing a breath of wind, and the weather fine over head, with a clear Bky. It continued to rise rnpidly till half-past nine, when I signalled to the vessels to do the utmost they could to ensure holding od, as everything would be wanted. I then fired again, to call the Kocket Brigade together. I went down to Woollcombe's Gully to the wreck of the Mrlrose about half -past eleven, and from there I noticed the Lapwing dragging, with her square sails loose. About half-past three p.m. she came ashore m Caroline B-iy, cl"so to the southern railway viaduct. All hands were safely and oisily got out by means of a line. It would have been high water at 6 p.m., and the vessel came ashore a hllln after half flood, with the wind eust-south-east. The brigantine could not have worked out that day under the circumstances. The sea did not subside to any noticeable extent till about four p.m. In the then state of the sea, lam of opinion it would not have been advisable to have tuker. the springs off the starboard chain m order to veer away, or let go the second anchor. William Evans : I am a merchant m Timaru, and was agent and consignee for the brigantine Lapwing. She was owned by Messrs G. and W. Owen, merchants of Auckland. I believe she was insured m the New Zealand Insurance office. I have a telegram from Mr Owen, stating that she was so insured. The balance of the cargo of coals was uloo insured m a Sydney office for £250. I cannot say to what amount her hull was insured. Her outward cargo was fully insured m the National, of South Australia. This concluded the evidence m this case. THE KETCH GLIMPSE. Evidence was then lakeu ia regard to the wreck of the ketch Glimpse. John Wear : I was master of the ketch Glimpse, of Dunedin. I have no certificate We arrived m the roadstead from Dunedin on Saturday, August 24th, and bright up m four fathoms, about half-a-mile off shore, I had been here five or six times before. At that time we rode with one and an eighth inch chain and anchor, b >th being aim >st new. About 8 o'clock on Sunday morning last a slight S.E. swell without wind came m, wh eh quickly increased, and at 10 o'clock began to br«ak. The vessel wa* ready to go to sea on the previous afternoon. About 9 a.m. I paid out another 15 fathoms of chain, making 45 out. About 11 a.m. the chain parted, the seas making a complete breach over the vessel at the time. lat once let go the second anchor, which was smaller than the other, and paid out 70 fathoms chain. As she continued to drift, I let go tho kedge, but it did not bring her up. I then got tho sails ready to ran her ashore. At this time ' (about noon) the ketch Fanny came driving past us. We threw her a line, and as she touched our quarter we all jumped aboard of her. Neither of the vessels were hurt by the collision. We got safely ashore m the Fanny. After we left fc'ie Glimpse ihe drove down into Caroline Bay, and came ashore on the beach about half a mile north of the lighthouse. I had a coir spring on the second anchor, but none on the first. We left the Tes-ei because the seas were^ going clean over her, and I considered our liv« 3 were m danger. We had frequently to take to the rigging. Everything on board was well battened down. Wo had 780 cases of preserved meats m the veesel, and she waß fully loaded. Nearly all the meat has been saved since she stranded. She is a good deal damaged. Her rudder, bulwark;, and foreis ist are knocked away, ana she is very much strained. She wa» well found m every way, and had a sufficient crew, consisting of two men besides myself. It was about 4.30 p.m. when she struck. Trio Court then adjourned till 2 p.m. The next witness called was favid Cooper, a seaman on board the ketch Glimpse, who

;ave evidence which corroborated that of the •aptuin. George Munro : I am a sculptor, living m i)unedin, and sole owner of the ketch Glimpse, she was insured m the Victoria Insurance Company for £450. She hs.3 already been wrecked twice while I have had her. She »as a very Btrongly made ves3el, and was iuilt at Wan^aM ia 1861. She was 38 tons register, and classed Al. She was built for a passenger vessel, and was a long time running jn the etst c:>ast of the North Island. I believe the whole of the preserved meat on board of her was injured. Captain Mills, Hurbor Ma-ter : The ketch Glimpse was at anchor m the roadstead on Sunday morning last. She was inside of all tho other vessels, and eeemad to be riding heavily, but not more bo than the others. I did not understand that the vessels wanted the life-bout launched, and what is moro, I would not have sent it off. There was no necessity for risking the lives of a life-boat crew to save the mon on board vesiels that wero holdiug ground. Had tho latter been m imminent danger, I should have run the risk at oil hazards. Thero was a much bettor chance of the crew of the Glimpse coining ashore m her than m the lifeboat. I >aw tho Glimpse come ashore. She could not, nor could any sailing veesil, have worked out on 3unday last without wind, and with the sea that wus running. Tliis concluded tho evidence as regards the Glimpse. THE BASQUE HKMOSE. „ George Ken-ipy : I was master of the barque Melrose, of Sydney. I hold certificates o£ competency as master for New South Wales cad South Australia. I have lost them both. Ihe number of the former wa3 144 ; that of tho Utter I do not recollect. They and all my other papers wore loat m thewrec'ion Sunday last. The Melroso was 287 tons register, and was built m Sundorland m 1859. Sho was a lOyeurs vessel, built under a special survey, and copper fastened throughout. I do not know whether >hu hud any class at Lloyds. She was surveyed about three months ago iv dock m Sydney by Lloyd's surveyors. Sho was complete and well found m -all particulars. She had two Idcwt. anchors, and one 12cwt., a stream anchor of scwt., and a kedge. Two cables were 100 fathoms m length and 1J inch m size. She had also 60 fathoms of 1 inch chain for the stream anchor. We arrived m the roadstead on Wednesday, August 2 let, with a cargo of coals from Newcastle, and were berthed by the Harbor Master m 6i f uthoms of water, and about a mile from shore. The lighthouse bore west by south. The vessel was brought up with 80 fathoms of chain, and a double 9-insh Government coir spring. She was not moved afterwards. She rode easily until Sunday morning last. About 8 a.m. on that day the sea began to make rapidly. All bunds were then on deck. About 10 a.m. I signalled to the lighthouse l!i»b we could not hold on much longer. I believe it was impossible for uny vessel to ride out euoh a sea as waß then running, especially as there was no wind. The tide was ebbing at this time. In answer to my signal I wus told to do tho best I could. Shortly afterwards I signalled that tho springs had been carried away, and was answered ,thut no assistant could bu rendered. About 11 o'clock the starboard cable, by which wo were riding, pavtud. Fearing to foul the ketcli Polrnerston, I let the vessel drift for a short distance and then lot go the second anchor, but the chain snapped at once. I theu set Bails and headed her for the shore. There was not sutiicient wind to get eteerage way on her. She struck tho beach at Wollcombe's Gully, alsout a mils north of the town, it being then almost dead low water. She broke up ulinost immediately after she struck. All the crew but one were saved, with great difficulty by the people oa shore. The man who was drowned was entered bs Arthur Waters on the ship's articles, and was an able seaman. Amongst thO;O saved wero two men belonging to the ketch Palmerßton, who got on board the Melrose as we drifted past. T'je Melrose had abour 230 tons of coals aboard at the time she was wrecked. I und my crew lost everything be onging t> us. None of the cargo w»s saved to my knowledge. Sho was insured for £500 m Meteall's office, Sydney. Lam quite satisfied there wits no chuneo of my working the vessel out to sea. After sho struck the rocket apparatus was used fro.~n the shore. The rockets with lines were fired. The first went too high, as it was not safe for the crew to go aloft to get it. We got the second, but the ship broke up too fast for us to use it. I had never been m Timura before. I think the lifo-b . at, if manned by an efficient crew, might have been made use of on the occasion. By Captain Mills : I should not have left the vessel if the life-boat came oat. It c >uld never have lived when once it got m the breakers where we went ushore. I believe a number of my men would have refused to go m the life-boat if it hud come off Ido nut say that there was any necessity for the life-boat to have oome off.