OFFICIAL INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE BARQUE ROBINA DUNLOP.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 3444, 18 August 1877, Page 2

OFFICIAL INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE BARQUE ROBINA DUNLOP.

J. G. Woon, Esq, Collector of Customs, assembled the whole crew of the Robhia Dunlop in the Custom House yesterday forenoon, and briefly informed them that the inquiry he proposed holding was in accordance with the Act, and preliminary to an inquiry into the cause of the wreck, to be held in the R.&l. Court, should such be found necessary. The following is a resume of the evidence; adduced : — John Graham, lately master, deposed that the barque Robina Dunlop, hailed from Glasgow, her|tonnage being 443 tons register. Left Wellington on Saturday morning last, 11th August, at 10 a.m., the Pilot left the ship at noon of that day jnst outside the heads ; commenced beating through the Straits ; wind N. VV. and W.N.W., and variable. On Monday last, at 11 a.m., Jackson's Head was distant 2£ miles. The course was then detailed till the night of the wreck. At 7.55 on Monday, " breakers ahead " reported by first mate, a man being on the look-out, the ship instantaneously struck. Immedirtely hove fore and main yards a-back; .he second shock carried away the rudder,

and the ship continued to strike and labour heavily, the sea making a clean breach over her. We found that we could do nothing with the ship by backing and filling the yards, and the rudder wa3 gone. The vessel was now broadside on to the sea, which carried away boats and everything moveable about the deck. The ship finally fell over on her port beam ends. Afterwards cut away the fore and main masts, the sea still making a clean breach over her, and carrying away the house on deck, and bursting in the main hatch. All the boats, three in number, were gone, and there was no recourse but to wait till daylight, as no land was visible. At midnight the ship commenced to break up, and all hands mustered aft. At daylight one of the hands swam ashore with the lead line, by means of which all hands were landed safely, though saving nothing but two chronometers and two weather glasses.

The, remainder of the narrative is known to our readers. Other witnesses were examined, whose evidence, however, did not differ materially from that of the captain. The investigation lasted until late in the afternoon, and will be resumed today.