THE WRECK OF THE BRUCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3950, 22 October 1875, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE BRUCE.

The inquiry into the cause of the wreck of the s.s. Bruce, was resumed at four o’clock tc day, when the following additional evidence wa* (riven;— James M'Kenzie, chief engineer *Jof The H uce, stated that he was on duty when they left < imam. Went below at 630p m. on the 13oh inst., and came on d»cka!, 1.20 a.m. Th telegraph then showed full speed, and the pressure of steam was between 45 and 50. He received no order or report. They continued at full speed till 25min. to 3 a.m., when the telegraph indicated to stop. stopped for about ten minutes. The next order was “ easy ahead,” and then ‘‘full speed”—both communications being by telegraph. Th© orders w«re carried out. The next order he received was to stop. Nothing had then happened. next order was to go full speed astern. Then the vessel struck. Ten minutes afterwards the second engineer came, and the engines were stopped, and remained so for a sh rt time. The engines were again reversed. On examination he found that there was a hole right through the plates on each side. All the Sluices were down at this time. chad not s>en them for two months previously, when the easel was in dock. The 1 vessel i ■ >mrai'nc«d to list after a time, and orders were given to put her astern. 'They attempted to do so, but as the ( ipe which supplied the engine on the port side was getting out ot the water, they could not work the engines any longer, tie told the second engineer to stop her, and communicated the state of th*< engines to the captain. Asi ort time after she began to make ■v.tW m the fore compartment, and the w ter wa- pumped into the boiler Witness had the fire taken out ot one of the furnaces, and then went on deck, was no water in the engine-room at the tune ; it had leaked in, but he could not say where from. When th# tide receded the stern rested on the bottom. [The witness’s examination- had net concluded at 4.45 pm] The inquiry will probably finish this evening.