INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE SARAH AND MARY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2041, 8 September 1880, Page 3

INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE SARAH AND MARY.

The following further evidence in this case was given yesterday after our despatch left Lyttelton : —Mr Dempsey was cross-examined by Mr Bamford—He said that tie hatches of the vessel were battened down on Monday, and on Tuesday, the day he was last on board, they were still battened down, and the tea could not have been put in as the hold was previously as full as it could be. Ho bought his half-chest directly from the master, and took it personally ashore. Was present when Mr Hough took his half-ohest of tea from the vessel. Arthur Sylvester, the stowaway on board, was next called. He admitted being a stowaway, hut said he was paid the sum of £4 after the wreck. He did not seo any cargo landed before the wreck, but afterwards he personally landed some, both on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday following. The vessel was aground at this time, the waves washing over ter. James Major was his mate in landing the cargo. There was no tea on board. The goods were kept to see if the Insurance Company would pay something for them. There was not a breath of wind in the bight the vessel was in when she went ashore, nor any sea of consequence. The holding ground there is excellent. Neither the wind nor sea were sufficient to break the ship’s cables. When Captain Forman gave witness the £4 he told him ho might go on to Hokitika with it. All the forward part of the vessel was unhurnt, but the latter part was completely gutted. There was no difficulty on board in approaching the cabin when the vessel went on chore. Know of no reason why the captain did not save his own effects —if he did not do so. Cross-examined by Mr Nalder-Captain Forman handed into the boat a barometer, a sextant, a carpet hag, some charts and a pillow. Before the boat left the vessel the witness thought the captain went down aft to see if everything was right. On shore witness had charge of the effects landed. The witness related his story of bow the vessel got wrecked. Just a little after nine the mate came forward and gave her some more chain. It was a beautiful night, and directly the mate gave her the chain, ho heard it run out and fall into the water as though the end of it had run out. Ho instantly distinguished that the vessel was adrift, and at once awoke one of the crow.

The further hearing of the case was adjourned until Tuesday next.