WRECK OF THE SHIP CITY OF CASHMERE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2293, 26 January 1882, Page 7

WRECK OF THE SHIP CITY OF CASHMERE.

It is with a considerable feeling of regret that wo have to chronicle, for tho first time m tho annals of Timaru, the loss of a Homo vessel at this port, the move so that she was a first-class vessel, and one which we had every reason to be proud of seeing here. Tho City of Cashmoro certainly deserved a longer life than she has had, but it is not a little con-,-olatiou to know that it was neithor tho fault of tho vessel horsolf nor of the port that sho has como to jjrief . So smooth was the water that tho Boating Club at two outriggers out during the afternoon. Before giving a description of her wreck, we may mention that under charter to tho New Zealand Shipping Company she arrived hero from Lyttelton about thrco weeks ago with about 500 tons of cargo and ballast from Calcutta on board. This had been discharged, and by noon on Jan. 14th sho had received some GOO tons of wheat, flour, and wool for London, and it was expected sho would bo ready for sea by tho end of this or tho early part of next '.vcek. Why these anticipations wero not roalised will bo seen by the following particulars of tho disaster which the vessel met with : —

Shortly nftor 1 p.m. on Saturday word was sent up from tho wharf that tho City of Cashmere had "parted" — a statement which afterwards -proved to bo nntrne — and that she was drifting towards Woollcombo's lagoon. At this timo Captain Rosa had been on shore about half an hour, and had gono up to tho Hospital to procuro medicine for one of his hands. Word was at onco sont to him, and also to tho Harbor Master, Captain Mills, who was at home. Tho latter at onco socurcd tho services of a boat. Captain Moir, who has como up to take the steam launch Lillio Denham down to Dnnedin, went with him, and was put on board tho launch, and loat no timo iv setting tho Bros going. Shortly afterwards Mr Leask, tho engineer, and part owner of tho launch, went on board of her. By this timo Captain Ross had arrived, and as soon as he conlil get a boat also went to the launch. In the meantimo Captain Mills had proceeded to the City of Cashmere m<i waterman's boat, and wa3 doing all he could to ensure her, holding on where she had dropped her second anchor, about three-quarters of a milo from her original berth. Owing to tho Lillio Denham having been lying idlo so long, and her machinery being clogged, it took some time to get up steam m her, and it was nearly G o'clock before Bhe reached tho ahip and put Captain Ross on board. By this time tho Harbor Master had hanled m tho cablo from I the anchor to which tho City had been riding I m tho firat instance, and it was found that the pin of tho shackle had como out and thus set tho vessel adrift. Ho had also got tho cablo fastened to another anchor. So soon as Captiiiu Boss got aboard a hawser was attached to tho launch, nnd tho little steamer set to work " liko a nigger" to got tho City out of her difficulty. Her efforts, however, proved unavailing, though, undor tho command of Captain Moir ably seconded by his enginoer —Mr Leask — and Messrs J. Simpson, Bradley and others sho worked hard. On ono occasion tho ship's anchor was got out of the water, but the sea began to make again, and it had to bo dropped. Tho launch, however, did not desert hor, but on tho contrary, stuck to her Kko a brick. About seven o'clock v. slight draught of wind came off the land, and the spankor, staysails, and jibs wero set, bnt the breezo died away. Under tow of the Lillie Denham she made for tho north, and at 10 p.m., finding aho was hopelessly drifting on to tho beach, two anchors wero let go, she then being about a mile and a half north of Dashing Rocks , and close m shore. All thi« while tho Timaru Volunteer Rocket Brigado hod been on duty at the lighthouse, and whon tho ship sent up a distrain rocket nt 10.30 p.m., tho party, under tho command of Lieutenant Jackson, lost no time m putting their apparatus into two expresses and starting to the rescue. On arriving opposite the ship — fully fivo miles from Timarn— it was fonnd sho was lying about 400 yards from shore. Tho Brigado worked well, and m a very short timo had ovory thing ready for notion. Tho first two rockets fired missed tho ship, the third went over her bowsprit but could not bo caught, while tho fourth went throngh her main rigging and was secured. As tho vessel was riding comparatively nuiotly it was somo timo before a move was made by those on board to como ashore. At 1.20 a.m., however, tho ship's "boy "was hauled high and dry, and at 2.-10 a.m. tho crew— lo all told — Captain Mills and Mr Alex. White had boon safely landed. A largo crowd of peoplo had by this timo nssombled, and many of them lent the Brigade overy assistance. Not a few, however, though earnestly reqnestod, turned a deaf car to all entrcatios, and amuse i themselves by getting m the way of tho Brigadu, and generally making thoir absenco moro desirable than their company. Captain Mills saw all but Captain Ross off tho Hhip before ho would loavo, and on being landed ho was loudly cheered, not only by tho Brigade, but by all prcsont. Mr Whito was also onu of tho last to como on dry land. When Captain Ross— tho last of tho twenty-one— camo ashore, ho was cheered to tho echo, hoisted shoulder high, nnd carried out of tho surf. Ho then thanked tho Brigade m particular, and the others present gouorally, on bohalf of tho crow of tho ship for tho manner m which they had turned out and | worked to rescue them. Ho also mado mention of tho way iv which Captain Mills had stuck to tho vessel. AVo must not forget to mention that Inspector Fender with a largo iwssc of polico was at tho scono of action from first to last, and assisted tho Brigade by word and dood. Whou all tho crow had been landed, tho Brigade packed up theiroffects and started for homo, Inspector Pondor leaving two of his constables to tako chargo of anything that might come ashore. Tho ship at this timo wns still riding by her two anchors head to seaward, and had not mado a drop of water. In fact thoro -was a fair hopo of tho s.s. Grafton, which wan known to bo on tha way from Lyttelton, boinff nblo to tow her off. Shortly boforo nino o clock, howovcr, oho canted ronud broadside on to tho breaVors, and was washed almost high and dry. About 1 p.m. tho foro and mainmasts, which uro of iron, and the mizzentoomast went overboard. During almost tho wliolo of tho day, Cnptmn Rosh, Captain Mills, some of ■ tho crew, and tho polico woro hard at work at the vohsol and succeeded m getting out of her uninjured all tfio personal offects of tho men, tho culrin fittings, n number of spare Hails, cooking utensils, chronometer, &c. With tho exception of tho loss of two masts and ono boat no damago seems to havo boon douo to the yessol. Her cargo is bcliovod to havo suffered little if any damago, doubtloHs owing to tho strength of her hull. Thore is no hopo, howovor, of hor ovor boing iloated again. Tho last wrecks which took placo m Timaru woro m Juno, 1879, when tho brigantiue Akbar was smashed up altogether and tho Kohooncr Polican was stranded but was got off again. Tho City of Cashnwro wan an Iron vesaol of 080 tons register, »nd h»d thro* water-tiijlit

conipartmouts. Sho was built m 1803 by Stevens, of Glasgow, under special survey, and at tho timo of her wreck was ownod by Messieurs Smith and Sons, of that port, and was m tho highest class at Lloyds. This is Cnptain Ross' first voyago m her, ho having takon chargo of hor at Homo, and brought her out by way of Calcutta and Lyttelton to Timaru. Sho has on board 2749 sacks of wheat, 270 sacks of flour, and 18G bales of wool, Hbippcil by Messrs Miles, Archer and Co., which are, wo believo, insured m tlio Union Company ; aud IGOO sacks of wheat, shipped by Mr J. L. Morris, insured for .£ISOO m tho South British. Whether tho vessol herself is insured m any Company wo aro unablo to loam, but wo aro led to think that her owners nro thoir own underwriters. Soveral hundreds of peoplo on Sunday visited tho wreck, eithor iv traps, on horsoback, or on foot.

Boforo concluding, wo must make a fow remarks on tho surrounding circumstances of tho wreck. Iv view of tho onqniry which will bo held, wo cannot of course m justice express I any opinion as to who, if anyone, is to blamo m tho nmttor, but wo can state facts. The.so facts point certainly to this, Unit so far as wo can see, noither the Harbor Muster, nor the captain of tho ship, nor tho port aro to blame. In tho first place tho ship was well found m ovcry way. She was riding by one anchor,while two others woro all ready tobo let go at a moment's notice. In fact all preparations were mado to meet promptly nny case of emergency. Why she drifted over half a mile beforo tho second anchor was lot go is, therefore, a mystory. Sho was observed to bo doing so from tho shoro from tho first. If her cable hail parted, or if she had dragged, tho port could fairly have boon saddled with the blame, but sho did neither ono thing nor tho other. Tho pin of tho shaeklo oame out mill away she went, as sho might have done m tho best port m tho world. Sho wan at the time mas good a berth as sho could bo put by tho Harbor Muster at tho time ho brought her m. Sho was certainly rafher too far to tho north, but ho could not help this, owing to the sot of tho tide and the ground swell. Captain Mills had, however, run out a kedgo so as to be ready to take advantago of tho first opportunity of hauling tho City a length or so further to tho southward. In fact ho has dono from first to last all that mortal man could do to ensure her safety. It is high timo the Harbor Board gave him somo assistance, for iC ho is expected to Rtick to a vessel as ho did to tho City of Cashmcro ou Saturday night, someone else is neoded to look after tho other vessels. A man cannot bo expected to burn the caudlo ut both ends as our Harbor Master is doing at present. It is a penny-wiso-pound-foolish policy, and must m tho end ptovo detrimental to tho port. An official enquiry into tho wreck of the ship City of Cashmere on tho night of Junnnry 14th, was opened at tho Courthouse, Timarn, at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning bnforo Joseph Buswick, Esq., 8.M., nnd I). Woollcombc, Esq., Nautical Assessor. Mr T. W. Hall, J.P., was also ou tho Bench. Mr C. E. Cooper, Collector of Customs, conducted tho enquiry. Mr White, Crown Solicitor, appeared on behalf of the Government, instructed by Mr Coopor, and Mr Spalding, Lloyds' agont, watched the caso for that body, Tho following cvidonco was taken ; — Daniol Ross : I was master of tho wrecked ship City of Cashmoro. I produce my certificate of competency as master, No. 0733. 1 havo been 22 years a master, commanding vessels of all classes. Wo arrived m Timarn n. fortnight ago last Saturday, and wero bronght np by the Harbor Master about a milo from tho Breakwater, m about 4 fathoms of water, and m good holding ground. Wo wero drawing about 13 feet. Sho camo m with three anohors, and was well found m every respect. Sho folt tho sea a good deal at times, but rode oasily. On Saturday last we took m two boatloads of cargo, but tho.stovodoro was not there to stow it away. About a fortnight aftor we arrived, the vessel was taken out to tho ballast ground to discharge her ballast. Wo woro brought m again by tho Harbor Mastor m a berth a littlo further to tho north of whoro she was at first berthod, because wo could not kedgo her further south at tho time, and no steamer was available. Sho wus perfectly safe, but the Harbor Master inteuded shifting her further south for tho couvenionoo of shippers. We had no opportunity of doing this as tho -wind was too strong to kedge her, and thcro was no tug available On Saturday lust I camo ashoro about 1 p.m. to look after the stevedore. I went to tho Hospital and whilo thero, a man camo aftor mo and told mo tho ship was adrift. When I got to the wharf I noticed sho had drifted nearly a milo into tho bight. lat once secured tho services of tho tug boat, Lillio Dcnhain, us I thought she would be able to tow tho ship out. I did not know tho tug's capabilities, out was told sho was very powerful. Beforo this tho Harbor Master had gono to tho ship m a boat. Whon I got on board, tho ship had brought up, but was bumping. This waa, I think, about 5 p.m. lat onco got a hawser fast to the tug, which went ahead and pulled tho ship up to her second auchor, which was then weighod. Tho steamer did pretty woll for a short time, when her steam becamo exhausted, and we bad to let go tho anchor again. Sho was originally riding by the starboard anchor, but was riding by the port anchor when I got on board. Wo waited till tho tug had got steam np again, and set foro and aft canvas. She pulled us out a good bit, but her steam again gavo out, and hor master said ho could do nothing moro for us, as his machinery was out of order. Ho cast off tho hawsor, and wo let go tho anchor. It was dark by thia timo, and wo had drifted considerably to tho northward. As sho dragged wo lot go another anchor, to which tho cablo of tho first anchor had been shackled. I had two bowor anchors and a stream anchor, oach of about 30 cwt., on board whon wo camo m. Tho chains woro of suitable sizo and good quality, and hail boon tested m tho usual way. After tho steamer left us tho ship dragged with both her anchors, and shortly aftorwards began to strike heavily. lam of opinion that if tho tug had not broken down sho would havo taken us out. Aftor tho ship got into tho snrf tho Rockot Brigado began to take tho crew off. Sho was hoad on to tho enrf. Tho crow, nineteen all told, tho Harbor Master, and another person, woro safely landed. Wo woro afraid tho masts would go ovorboard. Sho stranded about midnight. The fore and main masts wont overboard about 1 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, and tho niizzenmast at 8 o'clock on Monday. Tho City of Cashmoro was 980 tons register, and classed Al at Lloyds. Sho bebelonged to the port of Glasgow, and was o\vned by Georgo Smith and Sons. Sho was an iron ship, and very strongly built m three watertight compartments. Sho was about 18 years old. Tho tido would bo about half-obb when tho vessol wont adrift. Tho weather was hazy and tho wind light and variable. Thoro was a heavy swell from tho south-cast ou. Tho vessel is almost a total loss. I think sho is insured. At tho time sho was wrecked she had on board about 480 bales of wool and somo 500 tons of wheat and flour. Wo had warping tacklo on board, but thero was too mnch sea on to warp tho vessel out. Tho portion of tho cablo that came on board showed that tho chain had partod at tho shaeklo. The only way to find out how it had parted would bo by recovering tho auchor. I havo uovor boon to Timaru with a vessol before, but I know tho port woll, having resided here.

William Malcolm : I was chief officer of tho City of Cashmere. Captain Rons wont on shore on Saturday last about 1.30 p.m., leaving mo m onurgo. A night watch was always net, hut none ia tho day time I cannot nay whether it is usual to do «o m opon roadsteads. After tho captain went ashore . nothing unnsual occurred except tlio tightening of tho surf Hue. After wo tool; tho last boatload m, about thrco o'clock, we put tho hatches on. and begun to wash tho decks down. About i p.m. I wont bolow, telling tho Hocoud niato to hurry up and get tho work finished. Shortly afterwards ho oamo and informed mo the .surf lino was getting tight, and a.skod mo what lino ho should bend on to it. I told him. Ho went forward, and about fiv« minutes afterwards ho again c.'iino to mo and told mo tho nurf lino had got so taut that ho had had to cut it anil buoy it. Ho said ho thought tho ship was dragging. I immediately rushod on douk, and called out to tho peoplo on ilcok to lot go tho port anchor, which was dono as soon as possible It was about ton minutes after I wont on deck that tho anchor was let go. I veered tho cublo to 30 fathoms ontaido the hawso. Sho had by this time drifted about 500 yards to tlio north-west. I ordered tho ensign to bo pulled up as a privato sign to tho Captain, nnd took Houndiugfl and found four fathoms I also took tho bearings of tho vessel. Shortly after five o'clock, Captain Mills and Mr Whito oamo on board. We hove up tho starboard chain by Captain Mills' orders and found it had parted at th« CO fathom shanklo, nono of tho shacklo remaining m thu big link. I can form no opinion as to tho cau.io of tho chain parting. Tho hawser was nnbont from tho xparo anchor on tho port bow, and tho wtarboard ohain shackled on to it. About 0 p.m. tho tug arrived with Captain Ross, who at onco canio on board. A now three inch ropo was run from tho ship to tho tug, which wanted to tow us by it. Captain Mills ordored tho tug to tako our hawser on board and tho tug went ahead and pulled tlio ship np to hor anchor i which wo hovo np. Tho captain of tho tug thon said ho could do nothing raoro with us until ho got up moro steam, and told us to lot go tho anchor ngitin, which wo did, vocriug out 15 fathoips of cable. On taking soundings wo fonnd we were m3J fathoms, Tho *hip was

now striking aft for tho first time. Wo had lost Bomo ground. Tho ship was drawing 13 foot. It was nearly an hour before tho tup; got up steam again. Sho went nhoad, wo tripped tho anchor and kept tho ship's head northoast. Wo Bet foro and aft canvas. About midnight wo let go tho port anchor again, becauso we found wo woro making no headway and woro cloae to thebreakora, tho ship having been driftiug northwards and inshoro nil tho time. Tho anohor brought her head to tho south-eastward, and blio began to strike heavily aft. Sho was about 150 yards from the beach. Shortly afterwards wo let go the other anchor, squared the yards, and had the shacklo pins all ready for knocking ont, so as to allow tho ship to drift m broadside. Captain Mills gavo mo all the orders after ho enmo on board. Wo hud warping tacklo on board. If we had noticed tho vossel waa drifting m tho first instance earlier than wo did, wo could havo brought her up safely. We had no engino on board. I do not think it waa ten minutes from tho time tho surf lino was noticed tight till tho second anchor was let go. Tho cables woro last overhauled m Calcutta. I think we could havo warped tho vessel out from tho placo wo let go tho second anchor to her original position. Tho captain of tho steamer said he could do nothing inoro for us when wo lot go tho anchor tho second time. [Tho witness then corroborated tho cvidonco of Captain Ross m regard to tho cablos and anchors.] If wo had let go tho third anchor instead of using- the tag, wo might havo held on until a poworful steamer arrived. Ido not know what tho holding ground is like. The cablos were not overhauled after our arrival m Tinmru. Tho Court then adjourned till 2 p.m. Tho Court resumed at 2 p.m., and tho oviiloneo was continued as follows : — John Brunton Green : I was second officer of tho City of Cashmere. I noticed where tho vessel was placed when she camo into harbor; who was moored about 100 yards straight out from tho snrf-liuo buoy, eastward, m about four or fivo fathoms of water. The chain was not overhauled on arrival. It was specially overhauled at Calcutta. Tho carpenter and tho first mnto wcro on deck all tho time tho chain was being passed from tho locker. It was nbout twenty-fivo minutes to fivo whon my nttontion was drawn to tho tightening of tho surf lino by Kdward Kerr. Mr Malcolm, chief officer, was on board, but I had charge slackened.' It was a common thing for tho lino to tighten as tho ship swung. I did not know tho vessel was drifting at tho time. Tho snrf live was Hlackcncd until tho end was roachod and I had it lengthened, but it ngain became taut and I had it buoyed and it was hovo overboard. Then I had some suspicion tho ship was dragging and ono of tho seamen called out sho was adrift. I went on to the foreoastlo hoad and saw tho chain slack and I then called the mate. Tho mate camo on deck and gavo orders to let go tho port anchor. Tho anchor was dropped and thirty fathoms of chain paid out. Tho vessel brought up. Immediately afterwards Captain Mills camo on board, tho ensign having m tho meantime been hoisted for the captain, who was on shore. Tho starboard cable was thcu hauled m and the big link was found at the GO fathoms, without tho shackle. Tho chain was at onco shackled on to a spare anchor on the port side. Tho ship had dragged about 500 yards ; it was a littlo after fivo when Captain Mills camo on board. Ho took chargo of tho vessel, and wo waited until tho steamer camo to us. Tho vessel was not thon dragging, and had not bumped, so far as I noticed ; neither did I hear anyone say sho had at that time. Tho steamer camo alongside, and tho vessel was hovo short up to her anchor and made fast to tho steamer, which steamed ahead. She took us ahead a. little, but wo lost what wo gainod, and tho master of tho steamer sung out to ns to lot go again until ho got more steam up. Captain Mills called out to him several times to know if ho had Btoam up, and whilo wo were waiting for tho steamer I bclievo we were dragging. Wo were bumping heavily. Wo mado fast to the steamer again and set onr foro and aft canvas, and wo did some good, heading north-cast, but I found, from heaving the lead, that she was ncaringthc beach. The vessel continuing to drift, wo lot go the anchors again ; I boliovo it was about olovon o'clock then. Wo let go both anchors, but I cannot say how far the vessol was from tho beach. Wo thon saw tho caso was hopoless, and wo burnt bluo lights and fired rockets. Wo all got ashoro safely by moans of the rocket apparatus. It was about two or three m tho morning when I came ashoro. Wo squarod tho yards before leaving. To tho BencU : About ton minutes elapsed botween my being told that tho surf lino was taut and tho dropping of the second anchor. Captain Ross, recalled: I camo ashore about ono o'clock. About threo I waa at tho Hospital, and was told tho ship was adrift. I came down ns quickly as possible, and saw that sho had drifted a long way from whero I left her. John Johnson : I was carpenter aboard tho City of Cashuicro. It is part of my duty to overhaul tho cables. I overhauled them m Calcutta. I looked at tho chain when wo got into tho roadstead, but I did not examine tho shackles. If there had been anything wrong with them I should havo noticed it. I did not watch tho,chain as it camo up. I was working at tho winch at tho timo. The pins that fastened tho shaeklo pins wcro of tho usual kind, hardwood. I mado them out of a pieco of an oak boef cask. To Mr Whito : I had done nothing to tho cablos siuco leaving Calcutta. I did not oxiunine tho cablos when wo dropped anchor at Lyttelton. Wo dropped tho port anchor there. I could sec tho shackles pass over tho winch, but I did not notice them particularly ; I had no orders to do no. Ido not know whether tho cables wero m good order or not. Alexandor Mills -. I am Harbor Master for tho port ; I piloted tho vesaol m. On tho arrival of tho City of Cashmero I moorod her m tho usual berth for tho Government Landing Servico, about half a inilo from tho shore. Sho was m nbout 4] fathoms of water. I took her out to tho ballast ground a week or ton days after her arrival. I brought her back to her borth, but placed her a littlo to tho northward of her former position. Tho anchorage was a perfectly safo ono, but I intended to kedgo her further south for tho convenience of tho Service. Sho was about half a milo from the ond of the Breakwater. I first becamo aware that something was amiss about half-past four ; my attention wus called to tho fact that sho was adrift. Sho was broadsido on, with hor head to tho northward. Sho was thon about a quarter of a milo from her berth. I went oit m a whnlo boat, and put tho master of tbo Btoainor on board hor as I passod, na I oxpected ho would try to get tho ship out of danger. Wheu I got on board tho vessel I had tho starboard slack chain hovo m. I found tho big link at tho end, but no shackle. This led mo to think tho pin had corue out. Sho was closo down to tho rocks at this timo, about throo cables' lengths from Dashing Rocks, and thoro wero thirty fathoms of cable outside tho hawso pipo. Sho was adrift about fivo and twenty minutes. From tho timo I first saw her until I got aboard sho had drifted about another quarter of a mile. I Kent throo men, and gavo them a bearing to son if sho continued to drift after anchoring, and had the starboard chain bont on to a sparo anchor on tho port nido. Sho was not then drifting. Tho steamer outno m about half an hour after I got on board, but sho had to stay about a quartor of an hour and got up more steam. During that timo wo wcro passing a hawsor on board. I know tho power of the Lillic Donham ; sho was not a tug boat, but I preferred trusting to her to attempting to warp the vessel out. Tho sea was too heavy for warping out, a kodgo could not havo been got into tho boat with tho sea thoro was. Tho stoamor dragged tho ship over her chain, and I thought sho wus powerful enough to tuko her out. Wo thon got tho anchor up. Sho went about twico hor own length ahead, but steam could not bo kept up on tho steamer. I was anxious to clear tho rocky point, as had sho gono on thero all hands would havo boon drowned. Tho captain of tho steamer said ho conld do no more, as ho could not keep steam up, and I lot go tho port anchor again, whioh hold her. This was after dark, and thcro was no possibility of doing anything with a kedgo from tho shoro. It was high water about elovon o'clock that night. Tho steamer tried to tow hor again, but sho was no good at all, and I let both auchors go. The vcs.sol was stern on to tho slioro, and was m tho surf, thumpi?ig with the heavy roll. We all got safely ashoro by means of tho rockot apparatus. I took particular notico of tho vessel's tacklo whon she camo m, and I saw that who was as well found with anchors and cables as any vessel that over camo into tho roadstead. I oxaniino the cables and anchors tho first thing when I board vessels. To Mr Woollcombo : I havo been off m very rough Hcas, but I doubt if I could havo launched :i whaluboat that day, unless it wero inttido tho Breakwater. Thomas Chapman i I was lately m tho employ of tho Now Zealand Shipping Company. I now work on tho wharf. I did not soo the City of Cashmoro whon sho first bogan to drift. I have hud considerable oiporionco of tho roadstead. I have boon employed on tho bench for tho last cightcou years. Tho stato of tho sen, on Saturday last was a pretty heavy ll troll, but nothing to endanger a vessol liko tho City of Cashmcro. I nhould not havo launched cargo boats without tho protection of tho Breakwater. About fivo o'clock m the afternoon tho wind was light from tho southward. The wind did not rise, nor did tbo eea m«ko after that timo. Chtries Etlwurd Kern My r»»l nuns m

Charles Edward Chandler, but I am called Kerr. I was an apprentice aboard tho City of Cashmere. I was on board on Saturday last. We wero washing decks, and I saw tho surf-lino was taut, and I told tho second mate. He sent an able seaman with mo, and wo went and slackened it away. It still kept tightening, and wo bont another line on to it. That tightened too, and a buoy was put on tho line and it was let go. It was a common occurrenco for the aurf-linc to tighten. It was then about half -past four o'clock. A man forward sang ont that ho thought there was no anchor on tho chain, becauso it was slack. Tho second mate went on to tho forecastlehead. I had not then noticed tho Tessol drifting. The second mate did not speak to me. Tho Court at this stago was adjonrned to Tuesday morning, at nine o'clock, two witnesses remaining to be examined. The enquiry into tho wreck of the ship City of Cashmere wan resumed yesterday morning bofore Joseph Beawick, Esq., R.M., B. AVoollcombe, Esq., Nautical Assessor and T. W. Hall, Esq., J.P. Mr C. E. Cooper, Collector of Customs, and Mr Whito, Crown Solicitor, wcro also prosent. Tho following evidence was taken : — Moses Whito : I am accountant to the N.Z.L. and M.A. Company, Timarn. On last Saturday week I went on board tho ship City of Cashmero with Captain Mills. I remember a hawser being fastened to tho steam tng, which towed tho vessol np to her anchor. Tho vessel struck three or four times bofore the anchor was liftod. By Mr White : Tho cargo consisted of wool, wheat and flour, and would bo of tho value of about .£12,200. I bclievo it was insured. I wont off m a waterman's boat. There was a small kodge m a boat which camo off an hour or two afterwards. The tug was towing the vessol then. Tho first unite told mo sho was drawing 15 foet. There was 21 feet of wator where sho was lying. I heard Captain Mills ask those m tho beat which had tho kedge m it to stand by the ship. They did so for a short time and then went away. Victor Wilson : I was an able seamau on board the ship City of Cashmcro. My attention to tho vessel's drifting was first called by tho second mate telling ono of tho men to pay out tho surf live. I jumped up on tho forecastle to look at tho cablo, and saw it was slnck. I sung out to tho second mate that I bclicvod the anchor was pone. Tho second anchor was let go m about five minutes. I did not notico by tho shoro that the vessel was drifting. Sho did not ntriko as sho was brought up. Sho did not do so at all until the second anchor was dropped a second time. By Captain Ross : When tho surf line got tight the second mato told a man to slacken it, which was done twico, and tho ond was then hovo overboard. It only took us five minutes to lot go tho anchor. By Captain Mills : Tho chain was on the ■windlass, and tho range overhauled. There was a slight brcczo. The vessel had got a long way down before it was noticed sho was adrift. I will swear it only took ns fivo or seven minutes to let go the anchor. By Mr Whito : The vessol had not struck whon Captain Mills came on board. By Captain Mills : If tho vcsaol had bumped I must havo felt it. Aloxander White : I am a coal merchant m Timaru. I remember going on board tho ship City of Cashmere, on Saturday week. I saw a hawser passed from the tug to the vessel. This was between 5 p.m. and G p.m. Tho tug brought tho vessel np to her anchor boforo it was hove np. I cannot say if I folt tho vessel strike beforo tho anchor was lifted, but I was told she did. I think sho must have drifted half a milo from her first position before sho was brought up. I saw a, kedgo m a boat alongside. It would have been impossible to havo hauled tho vessol ont with it. If proper appliances had been handy she might have been kedged out. I have had nino yearn' experience as a sailor. By Mr White : 1 saw no kedge on board tho ship. I cannot say if sho struck before tho anchor was taken up. Tho sea was breaking round tho vessel. No boat could have lain alongside tho sbip. The ouo with the kedgo mit did not como off till some timo after I got on board. Arthur Turnbull : I am a clerk living m Timaru. I was on board tho ship City of Cnshmero last Saturday week. I saw a hawser made fast to tho tug. The ship struck the bottom two or threo thnort before tho anchor waa raised. I was on tho forecastlo head. I heard somo of the crow remark sho had strnck. By Mr Whito : I havo had no experience at sea. I can swear tho ship struck. Sho quivered when she did so. It was not merely falling into the trough of the sea. George Shirtcliffo : lam a clerk living m Timaru. I was on board tho ship City of Cashmere last Saturday week after she had broken adrift. I saw tho tug towing her up to her anchor. I helped to weigh it. I felt the vessel striko tho ground two or threo times beforo the anchor was lifted. Several people noticed her do bo and remarked on it. I cannot say who thoy were. I know tho differonco between tt uhip striking? tho and flr sea striking her. By Mr Whito : I had often been on board vessels m tho roadstead beforo, but not when thoy wore striking. William McLaren : I am a watonnan. I was on board the ship City of Cashmero when the tug took hold of her. I folt her striko when I had been on board of her nearly an honr and a half. Sho was at anchor at tho time. This was. beforo tho anchor was liftod the first time. I havo had a good deal of exporienco at son. I should have dono tho samo as Captain Mills did, if I had been m his place. By Captain Mills : I would not havo taken a largo kodgo into my boat that night if yon had asked mo. Tho small one I had m tho boat would havo been of no uso whatever. By tho Court : A large kedge could only havo been taken on board tho vessol that night at great risk of life. It might havo been done oarlier m tho evening. Tho Court thon adjourned till eleven o'clock on Monday morning next.