STRANDING OF THE CERES.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 397, 7 November 1868, Page 3

STRANDING OF THE CERES.

OFFICIAL ENQUIRY. An enquiry into the circumstances attending the stranding of the schooner Ceres, was held Thursday, in the Court House, before W. S. Munday, Esq., Chief officer of Customs, J. Giles, Esq., R.M., and James Agnew, Master of the schooner, Northern Light. The evidence, which was given at great length, may be condensed into the following statement: — The brigantine, Ceres, John Brown, master, being ready for sea, . was fastened on to by the steamer, Charles Edward, in pursuance of an arrangement made, whereby she was to be towed in and out for the sum of £6O. The towing line used was one belonging to the steamer. About half-way down the river the steamer had to stop for some minutes to put out her agent, Mr Moore, the tow, meanwhile sailing on under her fore and aft canvass, until abreast of the steamer. The latter then started a-bead again, full speed, according to the evidence of Captain Brown, but dead slow, as stated by Captain Palmer, until the tow line tautened and parted. The Ceres then drifted on to the north spit, without—so the master averred—any assistance being offered by the Charles Edward. Captain Palmer, on the other hand, stated that he did try to get near enough to the schooner to fasten on again, and for that purpose backed astern into the broken water, until his vessel bumped heavily, and then, perceiving that nothing could be done that tide to get the Ceres off, he proceeded on his voyage to Nelson. The latter vessel remained stranded for five days, that is, until the 29th Oct., when she was got off and taken over to the Lagoon, and found to have sustained considerable damage. Captain Leech testified to the goodness and sufficiency of the tow-line, and the engineer of the steamer to the fact of the engines going half speed when the line parted, and to the steamer being backed astern until she bumped on the spit, his evidence on these points being confirmed by the steward, who was working the engine telegraph at the time. It was five o'clock before the evidence closed, and the finding of the Court was reserved till to-day.