H.—ls

22

RETURN of Wrecks and Casualties to Shipping reported to the Marine Department— continued.

Date of Casualty. Name of Vessel, also Age and Class. Efi g Number of Cargo. Nature of Natl iure of Casualty. 1 Number ol Lives lost. Place where Casualty occurred. "Wind. jog [ **"»• "Wind. Decision of Court of Inquiry, &c. Name of Master . Sot Passen- ~ 1896. Jan. 28 Waitapu, s.s., 9 years Schooner 40 Wool .. Stranded; partial loss Bar of Patea River N.W. Light .. Vessel caught while on bar in a heavy breaker, causing her stern to strike heavily, carrying away rudder, rudder-post, and shoe Vessel was on slip undergoing repairs, which were nearly completed. Fire was discovered about 2 a.m.; but evidence failed to disclose its origin While steaming full speed, thrust - shaft of starboard engine was found to have broken right off Accident caused by propeller striking sunken snag Vessel missed stays when trying to go about, and afterwards dragged her anchors and went ashore. The immediate cause of the casualty was the breaking of the jib-sheet at a critical moment Vessel lost two propeller-blades; put back to Auckland (1,671 miles), went into dock, and put on four new blades John Edward Westrup. Feb. 8 Waitapu, s.s., 9 years Schooner 40 Nil Fire on board ; total loss On Patent Slip, Evans Bay, Wellington Ca lm John Edward Westrup. 14 Mahinapua, s.s., 14 years Schooner 239 25 28 General Thrust-shaft broken Off Stephen's Island, Cook Strait Ca lm William J. Newton. 17 Neptune, s.s., 13 years Reliance, 21 Schooner 44 8 General Broken shaft; lost propeller Stranded; total loss Dillon's Point, Wairau River Hind's Point, Wellington Harbour ; about one mile N.N.E. from Pencarrow Light Ca lm Samuel Clark. 28 years Ketch .. 65 4 Railway iron N.W. Strong gale FrithjofWilhelm Hultgren. March 10 Buteshire, s.s., 3 years Schooner 3636 05 10 Frozen meat and N.Z. produce Railway iron Loss of propel-ler-blades Lat. 50° 5' S.; long. 153° 26' W. John Cuthbert. . 19 John Bell, 11 years Schooner Stranded ; total loss Rock near Cape Terawhiti N. Strong .. Loss of vessel mainly due to gross negligence on part of mate, and master wrong in going below without giving more definite instructions. Master ordered to pay £8 8s. costs, and mate to pay balance, £2 lis., and his certificate suspended for six months An A.B. named Karl Kavander, while engaged aloft making fast the maintrysail, fell on to the deck about 8 a.m., and died from the effect of the injuries received about 5 p.m. same day, in Oamaru Hospital Henry Williams. 91 Poherua, s.s., 6 years Schooner General Loss of life only Off Moeraki .. James V. Bentley. 25 749