THE WRECK OF THE LYTTELTON.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1278, 2 July 1886, Page 3

THE WRECK OF THE LYTTELTON.

Judgment of the Com fc.

Timartj, July 2. The judgment of the Court of Enqui j Into the wr< ck of the ship Lyttelton w ■ delivered this morning. It attributed tie accident mainly to the want of skill Shown by the mnter of the Graf* n, who never got {proper control over the vessel f' om the time she left her mooring to the time she dropped anchor. The pilot was guilty of a grave e.jor of judgment in not having the starboard anchor rhackled on to cable before lifting port anchor and proreedirg to sea, and also for not aoertainirg with some degree of certain y whether fhe Lyttelton was forging ahead at the time she iet her anchor go. The Court expre*'od an opinion that the harbor authorities should net have allowed the tug and harbor master to be absent when a vessel like the Lyttelton was ready for sea. There was no evidenc to show whether the Lyttelton struck on her own anchor ft on some unknown substance ruler Abe water. Considering the Joss cf the Lyttelton mainly due to the want of skirl -on the part of the master of the Grafton, ,the Court adjudged he should pay costs of enquiry, but did not deal with his certificate there w i no evidence to show inefficiency in ordinary nyvigation, bnt only when acting cs tugmas er. The Court expreaeed an opinion that all mriters of steamers should make themselves acquainted with the depth of water and set t f tides of harbor s they enter. Captain Bill having admitted he had not this knowledge with respect to Tlmaru. The captain and officers of the Lyttelton were entirely exonerated from blame, and their certificates were returned.