GREYMOUTH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3483, 5 September 1882, Page 3

GREYMOUTH.

September 5

A preliminary enquiry into the loss of the Lioness was held yesterday before the Collector of Customs. Captain Nolan, late of the Lioness, the mate, the leadsman, the engineer, and the harbor-master were examined. According to the captain's evidence there was no particular danger in going out when he did, The Lioness had often gone out in as heavy weather, sometimes even heavier, but before coming back the wind increased very much, and when going through the narrow such a strong southerly eea was encountered that after consultation with the mate he decided it would be dangerous to risk towing, and he told the captain of the Gleaner that he would not tow her in, On re-entering the mouth of the river Captain Nolan found the steamer set bodily to the southward, opening the beacon south. He had to haul her well up towards the point of the north spit, but she would not clear it with the helm hard a-port. He stopped the engines and went full speed astern, with the helm hard a-starboard, but the nor'-westerly sea and the drawback would not allow the ship to straighten for the entrance. He disconnected the engines to get the vessel pointed for the entrance. When she was partially straightened he found her being set towards the protective works. He went full speed a-head with both engines, but before she had gathered much way on her the wind and sea, together with the drawback, set her on the rocks, on a projecting portion of wall known aa " the apron." At the second bump the engineer reported the engine-room to be filling fast. Nothing more could be done but to land those on board. Soundings on the bar on coming in (three-quarters quarter tide) gave twelve feet of water at the lowest cast. The vessel usually steered well. Captain Nolan said in reply to the manager of the Tug Company that if the apron of stones had not extended into the fairway the vessel would not have received any injury. The engines were shown to be in good working order, and the vessel well found. Everything worked well.