E.— No. 6.

17

REPORT ON THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

Appendix 3?,—continued. RETURN of "VVeecks on which Inquibies have been held, &c. — continued. Date of Casualty. 1867 Sept. 2 Kame of Vessel; also, Age and Class when known. Hercules, 2 years Rig. If Ma j ! Cutter ... | 34 Brig ... 192 Cutter ... 19 Schooner 443 Cutter ... 29 O Jo I 1 5 It Nature of Cargo. G-encral... TCature of Casualty. Stranded 11 Direction. i Wind. Force. Moderate weather I Fine weather j ii-CciaeiiL occurred. Mitiera Reef, Southland Islands Buller Bar Place where Master did not make sufficient allowance for the current Bad management and error of judgment on part of master jSTo blame attaches to the master. Wreck caused by neglect or incompetence of master or both The master appears to have misjudged his distance from the shore. He appears to have done what he could to save the vessel after the accident. Wreck accidental; no one to blame. The tug took the ground. The master of the " Ocean Wave " then tried to sail in, but the current was too strong, and she also was stranded The master thought he was past this danger. Master of tug blamed for keeping to much to the northward. Master of "Elizabeth" blamed for want of energy in trying to save vessel and cargo after stranding Master not specially blamed, but it was considered that he had undertaken too heavy a tow under all the circumstances The captain is blamed for the first accident, for "too much frailty in giving in to the opinion of the mate and seamen as to what land was seen." The signalman at Barrel Beacon is blamed for the final catastrophe, for "not making out and repeating signals" of distress. The master acted properly in beaching the vessel to save life, as she was leaking badly Finding of Court of Inquiry. Total loss. Keniarks. ,, 5 Mountain Maid. 25 years Lizzie, 9 years ... Manukau Coals Total wreck ... Court recommended master's certificate to be cancelled. „ 28 Oct. 4 4 12 Ballast ... Coals and maize Oil Total wreck | Ditto ... 2 w. Fine weather Strong TJrinui River 4 miles N. of Manawatu Near East Cape ... Mate and one hand drowned. » 4 Lady Wynyard, 2 years o 3 Ditto ... ! This vessel was got off with but little damage. J) 21 29 Matilda, 15 years Ocean Wave, 2 years Schooner 15 Ditto ... 117 15 117 3 8 General... | Ditto ... Ditto ... j Stranded Fine weather Fine weather Okarita Bar NorthSpit, Hokitika , Hope, 11 j years Ditto ... 25 Ditto ... [Total wreck ■ j Moderate weather Moderate weather Rurima Reef, near Whale Island North Spit, Hokitika „ 31 Not. 2 Elizabeth, 18 Ditto ... 113 25 113 4 5 2 Ditto ... Stranded Became a total wreck. years 2 Gazelle ... Affiance, 17 years S.S. ... 46 Barque ... 346 -1(5 Ditto ... Ditto ... Total wreck N.W. Fine weather Fresh Sunnier Ear Struck the Beach, near Kapiti; afterwards became a wreck in Fitzroy Bay, entrance to Wellington Harbour On Beach, north of the Grey River Sold. The new owners have recovered and repaired her. >> 5 Coals 346: 11 !) 5 Charles Edward, 3 years old P.S. 89' 19 40 General... Ran on shore Heavy sea The " Charles Edward" was sold, and her purchaser succeeded in relaunching and repairing her. Became a total wreck. Mary Ann White 16 years Flying Cloud, 7 years Schooner Firewood Stranded Moderate weather Moderate weather; heavy sea Strong Rangitoto Reef ... Accident caused by want of proper lookout Cable parted. Master blameless 7 14 2 2 8 Ditto ... 43 4 General... Ditto ... Mouth of Grey River Became a total wreck. J) 9 Cymraes, 3 years Ditto .., Ditto ... Ditto ... Westerly Mouth of Grey River Cable parted. Master blameless Total wreck. Master acted with judgment. 28'