INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE SARAH AND MARY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2040, 7 September 1880, Page 3

INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE SARAH AND MARY.

The following is the conclusion of the above inquiry, held at Lyttelton, yesterday, the continuation of which was given in our yesterday’s issue: After returning with the boat to the stranded vessel the hedge was run out, but it proved useless ; and on going aft on board the vessel and opening the scuttle a flame rushed out, and no approach could be obtained to the cabin. Ordered a tarpaulin to be thrown over it to try to smother it, and water was also thrown on it, but without avail, and the vessel had to be abandoned. There was nothing to be seen but the burning stem of the ketch in the morning. Thought the vessel caught fire from the stove down below capsizing with the bumping of the vessel, and the kerosene overturning. The Sarah and Mary was registered at Lyttelton. Official number, 40382 j register tonnage, 40 15-100th j owned as follows : The master, W. P. Forman, one-half, and W. Dempsey one-half. She was insured in the Victoria Company for £2OO, in two polioios of £IOO for each owner. The freight was insured by Messrs Black, Davies and Co., her charterers. They had advanced most of the freight to the master. There was a mortgage for twelve months on the vessel, amount £l2O. It would expire about August Ist. The mortgage was to Mr George Talbot, of ■ Lyttelton. Had not paid it off when the vessel left, and was not aware whether it had been paid since. Did not know whether it was a joint mortgage or not. In reply to the Court, witness said he was not awoke by the vessel dragging. He was sound asleep on the locker in the cabin, and the fire was burning in the stove when he lay down. The chain of the vessel must have parted. This concluded the examination in chief by Mr Bose, and the Court adjourned for half-an-hour. Upon resuming Captain Forman was placed in the box and cross-examined by Mr Nalder, after which the Court adjourned till to-day.

This Day. The master of the vessel was further crossexamined by Mr Nalder. He said the fire was through the fore part of the hatch before they abandoned the vessel. He was most positive that no part of the cargo was landed after leaving Lyttelton, nor was any taken ashore after it was laden and before ‘she sailed. Arthur Sylvester was called, and not appearing, a warrant was issued for his arrest. William Dempsey was then put in the box. Ho said he attended to the loading of the vessel. There was some tea amongst it. When she was loaded he left and stayed behind. The wheat was stowed aft, close from the bottom up to the deck ; next to it was meal; butter amidships; tea in the cabin—fifteen or sixteen half-chests. Before the vessel left all of it was removed from there excepting one half-chest. Some of it was sold by Captain Forman. One halfchest of it was sold to witness, and one to Mr Hough, clerk on the railway. When the tea was taken in it was a Saturday, and on the Monday following he wont on board and it had disappeared excepting the half-chest referred to. He spoke to Captain Forman about it, and he said he had sent some to Kaiapara, and had a guarantee of £2 10s on it. The vessel was fully loaded to the combings. [Left sitting.]