STRANDING OF THE BELLINGER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 4185, 8 March 1888, Page 3

STRANDING OF THE BELLINGER.

c , THE OFFICIAL ENQUIRY. (By Telegraph.) NEWiPLYMOUTE, Mauch 7. Tho official enquiry into the stranding of the s.s. Bellinger was held at Waitara to-day. Tho captain and mate were represented by counsel, also the owner of tho tug Wnitara, who claims salvage. The Crown solicitor represented the Collector of Customs. Captoin McCarthy, master of tbe tug Waitara, etate:l that he went to the assistance of the Bellingerjwhen she was on the reef. Captain Benson, master of tho Bellinger, said to him take mo and my people aboard and let her drift ashore. Tho tug, after several attempts got the Bellinger off. Captain McCarthy continued : — " I saw it was no use taking any further notice of tho master. He was too far gone m drink. He was drunk. I asked the mate to pass mo the tow line, as I had made up my mind to tow the vessel into tho Waitara river. I also told tho mate that he had better tako charge of the Tessel, as it was no uso looking to the master. I was passing ahead of the steamer. The vessel seemed to be settling down, and I nsked tho mato to put up a sail to help mo all he could across the bar. The sails woro put up, and I commenced towing her across tho bar, and eventually got her into tho river, whero she lies." The chief mate of the Bellinger said that ho left the watch at 4 a.m., aucl called the captain, who was m the saloon. Tho captain told him to go to bed, and he would take the watch on deck. Ho turned m about 4.30, went to sleep, and aoon afterwards awoke with the vessel bumping. Ho got up and rushed on deck, putting the wheel to port, which caused the vessel to sheer off tho reef. The captain was on deck a few minutes afterwards, and declared the steamer had not gone aground. It was foggy at tho time. After steering westerly the ship's course was again altered, and she oventually struck tho reef again, when sho began to make water. Tho tug came up, and towed her into the Waitara. Thero are twenty witnesses to be examined. Tho enquiry ia cipectcd to last four or five