THE COSPATRICK ENQUIRY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 277, 1 May 1875, Page 4

THE COSPATRICK ENQUIRY.

The Auckland correspondent of the Otago Daily Times telegraphs to that journal the concluding portion of the report of the Cospatrick Court of Enquiry. It is as follows: « It was stated in evidence that when the coals in the fore-peak were consumed one or more of the lower boards were knocked away in order to get at the coald in the hold, and at the time of the catastrophe about one-half of those in the fore-peak had been used. Immediately over the fore-peak was an open locker, used by the boatswain for stores, which consisted of spirits, oils, oakum, ropes, and other articles for ship's use. Immediately above this locker was the seamen's compartment. The entrance to the locker, and also to to the coal-hole, was by a hatch on the air-shaft, which divided the locker from the single men's berths, which were over the forehold. In these berths was an iron grating (sufficiently large to admit a man's hand) for the purpose of ventilating the berths into the air-shaft. During the enquiry suggestions were made that the fire might have originated from spontaneous combustion of pome of the various articles kept in the boatswain's locker for ship's use, or some part of the cargo itself. Again, it was said that the fire might have been caused by a lucifer match, or the ashes from a pipe, carelessly dropped through the open grating of the single men's compartment into the open boatswain's locker. After carefully considering the whole evidence, we cannot agree with any of these suggestions. We think that if the fire had commenced in the boatswain's locker at all from either of the causes suggested, it must have been more speedily detected, from its proximity to the main deck, and certainly before it had gained such complete mastery over the vessel as described by Macdonald—as a very short time, some three-quarters of an hour, which had lapsed since he had gone round the decks and found no indication of smoke or fire. In addition, this evidence proved that a watchman was always stationed at each hatchway during the night, who must have discovered it. Neither do we agree in the suggestion of spontaneous combustion of some part of the cargo itself. It cannot be doubted that the cargo was of an inflammable nature, yet at the same time it was most carefully stowed, and was similar in all respects to cargoes generally carried in large passenger emigrant ships trading to Australia and the New Zealand colonies. Our unanimous opinion is that the fire originated in the forehold, which was separated from the fore peak by a wooden bulkhead. It was given in evidence that two upper boards of this bulkhead had been, and could be easily, knocked down when required, and entrance thus gained to the forehold. From the very rapid manner in which the fire spread one can come to no other conclusion than that some of the crew or emigrants mast have taken advantage of this access to the forehold for the purpose of plundering the cargo, and that, in using naked lights or matches, they must have set fire to straw or other inflammable matter. The scuttle being open, the smoke and flame would probably be drawn to that spot, where it would come in contact with the tar, oil, varnish, pitch, &c, comprised in the slip's stores, rendering any attempt to get the fare under of little or no avail. We are of opinion that the Cospatrick had a proper number of boats, tue cubic capacity of which was in excess of that required by law ; and though it is to be regretted that, at the first alarm of fire given, no steps were taken to have the boats in readiness on being required, we cannot feel surprised at the terrible result when we take into consideration that the fire broke out at one a.m, when all except the watch were below, and the fearful rapidity of its progress, and the panic that would naturally be caused among rcea and women at such a time. Having given our opinion as to what we consider might have been the origin of the fire, as well as the part of the vessel in which we believe it to have broken out, we are anxious, as requested by the Board of Trade, to suggest, some means which may in future be adopted to guard against the recurrence of such a fearful disaster. We think it most important that all wooden vessels carrying, or about to carry, passengers or emigrants, should have the coal-hole bulkhead fitted as strong as the ingenuity of the shipwright can suggest, constructed of hard wood, and secured to hard wood stanchions of suitable dimensions. This description of bulkhead would effectually cut off all communication between the fore peak and main hold, and any attempt at plunder would be frustrated. In iron vessels this object is attained. With regard to boats, we think the practice of stowing them keel uppermost objectionable, as it happens in many cases that many lives are sacrificed before the boats can be turned up and launched. We suggest that boats should always be stowed on chocks, and that all ships carrying passengers or emigrants should be compelled to exercise their crews weekly, weather permitting, at fire and boat stations, and that an ontry be made in official log book, certifying that such has been done. Further, that properly fitted gear for putting boats over the side be kept in readiness near them in case of emergency."—J. H. Patterson, Stipendiary Magistrate. We concur in this report— John 8. Castle, Charles E. Pryce, w. H. Turn re.