THE STRANDED PELOTAS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13417, 3 July 1911, Page 7

THE STRANDED PELOTAS.

THE INQUIRY

The nautical inquiry into the stranding of the barquentine Pelotas opened at the Courthouse this morning before Mr F. V. Frazer. S.M., and Captains Post and Cray (assessors). Counsel were Mr Treadwell, for the owners and captain of the Shamrock; Mr Hutton, for the Harbour Board; and Mr W. F. Dickey, for the Muriue Department.

Mr Dickey outlined the case for the Marine Department, alter which he called William Cozens, master of the Pelotas, who said he arrived off the bar at noon. The weather was moderate, with a westerly wind, lie was unable to read the signal from the flagstaff, on account of mist. It was then ebb tide. Finding the vessel setting to the southward, he anchored in 1(1 fathoms of water. He remained at anchor till 7.15 p.m. The river was in flood, in order to test the strength of the cur rent, he put the patent log out, but found ro indication upon it. He considered the current was running at three knots an hour. At about 7.15 p.m. the Shamrock came alongside and he at once hove shorton his cable. The tow-line was attached and they were under weigh at 8 o’clock A light*easterly wind was blowing, will, a ‘onth-canterly swell. Experienced great difficulty in turning the Shamrock round, owing to the towliuo being made fast right aft. He repeatedly hailed witness to kr-.-p his helm hard aport. in order to ansi tf him to got his head round. This was done, and the Pelotas’ yards swung, in order to hack her round. This had the desired effect, and both vessels were square for the bar, the wind being then on the f-i-Uoard beam. The exhibitor.

lending lights by tho pilot indicated. “Rland on and take the bar.” They wore i ir-ti about a mile from the bar. They entered between the moles, when progress v..-.s perceptibly retarded by the force of the current coming out of the river. Ilnw■wr, they still continued to advance for some 15 minuted, until they stopped altogether, tho Shamrock’s engines going full speed ahead. The Shamrock continued towing, but it was evident that the power was lacking. The. master of the Shamrock then hailed witness, saying: “I shall have to take you out again. Witness agreed to this course, after due consideration of the weather conditions and the position of the vessels. There was a strong current under his stem hut not such that he doomed it imurndent to get out again, provided the tug had sufficient power fo keen the vessel in tho fairway. The Shamrock turned round between the Pelotas and the wall and witness then shifted his helm hard a starboard. The bight of the tow line was hanging over the bow during this interval. Tbe master of the Shamrock bandied bis vessel very skilfully in a difficult position He managed to get abreast of tbe extremity of Hie north' mole when, he collided with the pile-driving apparatus, but got his vessel .clear with some minor damage to herself and proceeded full speed ahead out to tho southward. Tho Pelotas at this time was lying broadside on to the current. Shortly afterwards the towlino tightened and immediately had the effect of pulling the Shamrock’s head round to the westward. The Petotas’ holm was hard a starboard. Tho two vessels Sagged to westward, the Pefotas just clearing the north mole hy about 10 feet. Immediately afterwards she struck tho bottom heavily and continued to do so far about a quarter of an hour, the Shamrock doing her utmost to tow the vessel out. They had apparently pot out of the set of the current and were slowly setting further in. Witness realised the hopelessness of the present position and hailed the Shamriek, saying, “It’s no use, Connor, I’m done for,” and he heaved over his anchors, tho master of the tug casting off the tow line and proceeding into the river. All this time the Pelotas was coming heavily on to the sands, her masts buckling dangerously, and her rudder unshipped. About twenty fathoms woe given on both anchors, thus holding her head to spa. The sen was breaking heavily over tho vessel. When she firsv struck, the pumps wore sounded, and six inches of water recorded. Fifteen minutes afterwards 15 inches, and, by twelve o’clock, three feet. She was then lying quietly, the tide having receeded. Everything on deck was made fast, and the crew sent below. At 7 o’clock the next morning, tho pumps were again sounded, and about five feet of water found in the hold. All hands were then called to the pumps, it being low water at tho time. Pumping was continued for two hours, and the water reduce 4 by about 9 inches. The rising tide then started the vessel working again, and the inflow of water commenced anew, thus proving that pumping was useless. The seas breaking over the ship made it impassible to launch a boat. At 10 o'clock the pilot signalled “Tug coming to you at high water if weather favourable.” it was then about an hour from high water, and witness realised that no steamer could approach till low water, and signalled the pilot to that effect, telling him not to send a tug till low water. The anchors continued to hold her head to sea. It was still too rough to launch a boat. Witness tried to get a Hue ashore hy floating a lifebuoy ashore with a Hue attached, but the current carried it out to sea. He then fired three rockets which reached the shore, hut in each case attached carried away. He then abandoned all idea of landing tho crew that night. In the early morning, tho sea having somewhat moderated, he put a boat out, which carried a line ashore. This Die pilot attached to an anchor which hj» ho had placed upon the beach. Witness did not consider it prudent to attempt to launch the ship's larger boats. There was no imminent danger of loss of life. That afternoon the crow, with all their effects, landed safely. To Mr Dickey—Before tho stranding the ship was quite seaworthy and well found in all respects. She was in light trim, and some eight inches clear of the load. Continuing, witness stated that previous to leaving Newcastle, lie cabled the harbourmaster, asking him what draught the vessel was limited to in order to safely take tile port. Tho harbourmaster replied telling him to load to lift din draught. To Air Dickey—The ship and freight were uninsured, but the cargo, ho 1;e----lieved, was covered.

Continuing, Witness stated that, to his mind, then* was no risk in going out across the bar again, as the weather was line.

To Mr Treadwell—Groat alterations had boon made to tho river mouth since ho was last here. Tho Pclotas was bigger than the Mavoro, but would not bo more difficult to tow. 'When in the Maroro ho had boon towed in by the lighters, hut on the present occasion he hud misgivings. He, however, knew tho harbourmaster knew about the conditions, and when ho got the signal ho came on in perfect confidence. 'Tim water was discoloured two miles out. Once tho tow commenced, everything went well till the moles were reached. If tho Shamrock had succeeded in getting the vessel abreast of the flagstaff they would probably Have got over the worst part of the current and come

to an anchorage. If he had thought it expedient to drop his anchor he would have done so, but he thought that to go out again was the best thing to do. The trend of the current was to the south mole.

lo Captain Post—He did not think it prudent to drop anchor in the river, as the ship would have probably pulled on to the stones of the breakwater. When the Shamrock struck the north mole her speed was considerably impaired. The i’c.otas did not strike the structure of the mole. She was a Norwegian-built vessel of spruce, about 13 years old. It, wr.3 a moonlight night, and he could see the distance between the moles.

/miles Hanning, first mate of the Pelotas, said that there was a fair swell on when the vessels crossed the bar. When the tug got abreast of the middle light she did not seem able to progress any further, ’llicy were in the .middle of the channel at the time. The rest of the witurns’ evidence was similar to that given by Captain Cozens. The Court then adjourned till 3 p.m. The Court resumed at 2 p.m. ■Witness continued. In reply to Mr Dichey. ho said that there was a two or three knot current in the river.

To Captain Post—He thought that as Captain Connor know the river, ho would tell them to drop their anchors, bnt Captain Connor afterwards told him that his reason for not advising- the dropping of the anchors was that he considered that they would not hold; it would do more harm than good. To Captain Cozens—He did not. consider tat they were running any great risk when the Shamrock, turned to tow the Pclotna out again. The weather had been unfavourable for' several days prior to reaching Wanganui. He was not acquainted, with the nature of the bottom of the river, ami therefore would not like to give an opinion as to whether it w.viil have been advisable to anchor or ot. James Denny, able seaman on ';e PelofuH. said that he had been at the wheel from the time the vessel lifted the .irehors until she stranded. His duty was to keep the tug boat’s lights a. little on his Starboard how. Ho first noticed Curt ihey wore making no headway when the PelotuV stern was about 10 fathoms from the north mole. He obeyed Captain Cozen#’ order to put the helm hard aport, to allow the Shamrock to turn around in front <-•1 her. He noticed nothing fresh till Hip ship took the ground. 'Jo Captain Cozens—He thought there was no danger in turning back. It would rot have been prudent to anchor in the river. The vessel had always answered her helm splendidly. Peter Mclntyre, harbourmaster at Wanganui, said that when the Pelotus arrived »if the bar he hoisted a signal, which wa*> not answered., ; She eventually anchored tiiiout 2$ miles to .the. southward of tho liar. The .Shamrock went out to take the Pelotus in tow just after 7 p.m. He .got both vessels on fhe.beaeonspind both made good progress over the bar and between uie moles to about 1000 feet up the n- i(h mole.' After that they did not appior to progress so w ell. Ho next noticed t lev Shamrock turning round to return and saw that both we-o drifting -slightly towards the north mole. Then followed Hie collision with the pile-driving apparatus. They were not in broken water. However, they were drifting into broken water, the Pelotas heading for sea. At 10 p.m. the Shamrock cast off and came across the bar. There was a small swell on. It was just high water, the tide gauge showing about 9ft, which was normal, There" was a fresh in the river on the previous day (Sunday). To Mr Dickey—Ho considered that tho vessels were quite right in taking tho bar, Thu" usual precautions had been observed. TVo Shamrock appeared to be doing her best to tow the Pelotas in. lie thought the anchors would have held had they hemi dropped. To tho Bench—As far as he knew the bottom would have field the anchors, though he had never seen a vessel anchored in that position. Evidence was being taken as wo wont t.o press.