E,—Ko. 6.

19

REPORT ON THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

retu: N of W: Appendix P.— continued. .ecks on which Inquiries have been held, &c. — continued. Date of Casualty. Name of Vessel; also, Age and Class when known. Kg. <d be •11 O 11 w Nature of Cargo. Nature of Casualty. ID Wind. Place where Accident occurred. Finding of Court of Inquiry. Eemarka. 1868 Feb. 3 Direction. I Force. Fortune Brig ... 160 ; 8 Not stated Stranded v S.E. Gale About 10 miles S. of Hokianga Position of vessel not known, as no observation had been got for four days. Wreck accidental Of a crew of eight, all told, only one seaman escaped. The vessel was hove to on the port tack with her head in-shore. Had she been hove to on the other tack she might have escaped. Had the lead been hove it would have given ample warning of her proximity to the shore. The vessel broke up at once. * li mile Horth of Timaru Those on board exonerated. Harbourmaster blamed for not signalling to the vessel to put to sea No blame attaches to any one on board. The accident was caused by two of the hands in the boat which was towing her out becoming sea-sick and unfitfor work The vessel was short of anchors. » 4 William Miskin S.S. 115 1 13 General... Ditto ... S.E. Strong; heavy a 16 Sea Belle, 4 years Cutter ... Timber .,. Ditto ... sea 27 Easterly Gale South Spit, WanBecame a total wreck. Express, 19 years Brigantine gapoa Mar. 19 149 Cattle and wool Ballast ... Total wreck S.W. Strong Port Hutt, Chatham Islands Oainaru Beach Dragged her anchor and went on shore. The vessel fouled her anchor while themasterw Tas onshore. Sail was made but she missed stays and drove on shore. She broke up. 8 12 » 24 Fly, 15 years ,.. Cutter is! 3 Stranded Moderate breeze No inquiry held ... >, 25 Jane Saucy Lass Schooner Ditto Collision Fine weather Off Mercury Island Masters of both vessels to blame for carrying no lights and for not keeping a proper look-out. Wreck due to negligence and want of seamanship on the part of the master „ 27 Comet, 9 years... Cutter ... 17! Firewood Total wreck N.W. Moderate Puhoi River, Auckland „ 29 April 6 Waterlily Shamrock Cleopatra, 1 year Schooner Cutter P.S. ... 46 9 2 Ballast ... Collision Ban on shore S.W. Fine weather Gale Rangitoto Channel About 6 miles W. of Cape Palliser Master of the " Water Lily " to blame. Court did not agree The vessel was not well found for a sea trip. She was beached to save life, and broke up. Canted off the rocks, and foundered in three fathoms. May 23 Blue Boll, 2 years Schooner 53 South Sea Island produce Butter, &c. Stranded KN.E. Moderate Near Wangaroa Heads Error of judgment and want of seamanship on part of master. June 9 Louisa Ditto ... I Foundered N.E. Strong; sea heavy Gale Off Greymouth ... Had the vessel put to sea she might perhaps have escaped. The wind increased and the sea rose so rapidly that the vessel could not put to sea. She dragged and went on shore. Wo one to blame 13 3 3 All hands drowned. „ 13 Dispatcli,25years Brigantine 98! 8 3 Horses and cattle Stranded 1 S.S.E. About 4 miles N. of Timaru The captain was killed by the galley falling on him before the vessel went on shore. The rest of the hands escaped. The vessel broke up.