INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE BRIG CLEMATIS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2186, 26 February 1881, Page 3

INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE BRIG CLEMATIS.

An inquiry waa held at "the Magistrate's Court, Lytte;ton, yesterday, before Joseph Bea-wif-k, .Esq., R.M., and Captain Charles John Macey, Nautical Assessor. The Collector of Cattoma conducted the inquiry on behalf of the Board of Trade.

Henry Bowden, sworn, stated that he was the mastur of the brig Clematis, and held a master's certificate No. 25, service, Tasmania-Australian Trade Ships Ordinary Service. He had received from the Collector of Customs a report of the case on which the inquiry waa called. The official number of the Clematis is 64,216 of Hobart. Her registered tonnage was 219 tons, The vessel left Hobart on February 10th on a voyage to Wellington, via LytteltoD, with a cargo of timber, palings, shingles, &c. Had a fair passage across, and made Akaroa light on the morning of February 21st. Had then light baffling winda for four hour*, when the wind shifted to tho southward and blew freah. At 6.30 a.m. the wind moderated up to 10 a.m., when the vessel gradually hauled round the Peninsula. At noon got closer in shorn, shaping from point to point, the wind being off the land. About 12 30 the wind got squally, and tho man at tho wheel was cautioned to keep the vessel off. A squall came down one of the gullies, and the brig was some time paying off as she was under full sail. Produce the chart that waa used ; had no other chart showing Banks' Peninsula more fully. About half-past twelve the vessel ran on to an apparently flat rock. There were six fathoms of water under her heel, six fathoms between her quarter and mainmaat on both sides, three fathoms a little forward of that, and eleven feet under tbe mainmast and for about fifteen feet forward of that. The water deepened from the forerigging from 3| fathoms to six fathoms, and seven fathoms under the bow on both sides of the ship. Witness considered that he was from half a mile to ono mile off the shore. Tiied to lighten the vessel to get her off, and got a small vessel alongside to pat the cargo into. A portion of the cargo was then afloat inside the brig. In the course of half an hour the brig was full of water, the cargo floating out of the main hatch. Alt hands then packed up their clothing, &c, and the bjata were got out. The water was then over the rail forward and to the afterpart of the fore rigging. Witness abandoned the vessel about 4 30 p.m. Witneßß waa in chargo of the deck when the vessel struck, and previous to her striking. The vessel sank that night, and haß become a total wreck. 'lhe wreck of the vessel was Bold for .£l6, and the cargo saved and boats for about .£3O. There wa3 no possibility of saving the vessel after she struck. Tho weather was fine at the time the vessel struck, the wind about S. W., coming down puffy from the gullies. The tido was Btrong ebb on tho last quarter. All sail was set at the time tie vessel struck. Tho vessel was well found. By the Bench —The chart No. 1212 used and produced was used by witness on a previous voyago to this port. The rock is not indicated on the chart. Had no coastal guide. Did not consider it necessary to have a chart on a larger scale.

By the Nautical AseesaGr—Did not have the lead going previous to striking. The veßsel began to make water abont half an hour after she struck. The pumpn were Bet to work as scon as the vessel struck. The main batches were opened first to get the cargo out, and when the fore hatchos were lifted water was seen in the hold. Not (being exompt from pilotac", coneidered thochiut used was sufficient to take bim ap to the Pilot station. Hugh McLellan, harbormaster, deposed that he viaitod the scene of the wreck of the Clematis at low water at 7 a.m. on Thursday. Measured exaot distance from mainmast of Clematis to

the coastal rocki at low water mark, and found it 566 ft from low water mark to high water mark, a low shelf of rocks extends in to the perpendicular cliff, measuring 340 ft. The bearing of the rook on which the brig struck from the extreme point of the Look-Out point is N. 40deg. E. The 340 ft of rock is uncovered at low water, and completely covered at high water. Took soundings between the vessel and the main land, and found a rocky bottom with 5 fathoms of water. The vessel lies with her head W. by S., and is in 12ft of water at low water. On her starboard or sea side is 61 fathoms of water. No. 8 sheet chart of New Zealand, and No. 2529 Jshows a rock off the Look-Ont point, which witness considered was the rock on which the brig struok. The Long Look-Out point is about ten or eleven miles from Godley Head. There is a sunken rock mentioned on the chart off the Look-Ont point. There is a caution printed on the chart now in Court, which points out that a sunken rock is reported three-quarters of a mile N.K. of the Look-Out Point, and warns vessels not to approach nearer than one mile in passing. Witness considered that the rock mentioned in the chart was not in existence, and that had the master of the Clematis obeyed the caution on the chart there would have been no possibility of the Clematis striking on the rock. It is the custom of coasters and intercolonial traders to hug the land in coming round the Peninsnla in S.W. weather; the New Zealand pilot instructs them to do so. Witness considered that the vessel was rather too close in shore, but not so close as to be in any danger in a commanding breeze._ The chart ÜBed by the master «f the Clematis does not give any caution as to rounding the Look-Ont Point.

Henry Charles Bowden, mate of the Clematis, held a certificate of competency, No. 240, Victoria, produced. Was in his berth at the time the vessel struck. Had been to the port twice before as mate. The atmosphere was clear at the time of the wreck. When sailing in the Chanticleer, brig, some eight years ago, it was the custom to hug the Peninsula in S.W. weather. Witness was not in charge of the deck at the time of the accident. Had not had any experience in working a vessel round the Peninsula by chart. Edward Shaw, sworn, stated that he was an A.B. on board the Clematis. Witness was at the wheel when the vessel struck. He was steering by the land, keeping the points well abaft the fore-rigging. Had been to Lyttelton once before in the Clematis last December, but was not on deck that time when the Look-Ont Point was passed. After the vessel struck there was no chance of getting her off. There was a heavy swell from the S.E. A few minutes before the accident was cautioned by the captain to keep the vessel off a little more. Charles Watkins, ordinary seaman, also gave evidence.

Captain Bowden, recalled—The Clematis was insured. Witness learned that fact by telegram from Hobart. Did not know it at the time of the wreck. Did not know amount of the in surance. The cargo was on ship's account, and he should think it was insured. Had no copy of chart No. 2529 on board the Clematis. Did not consider it necessary to get a copy of that chart, having sailed into Lyttelton coming south several times, both as master and mate. Had he been exempt from pilotage would have got a copy of the chart. Considered the chart he had sufficient to take him up to the pilot ground. The pilot picked the vessels up just a short distance from the lighthouse. This concluded the evidence, the Bench then retired to consider judgment. On returning to the Court they stated that the captain of the brig had committed an error in judgment in keeping too close to the land, and he hid been somewhat negligent in not providing himself with a chart that showed the coast more clearly. Under all circumstances they would order him to pay the costs of the enquiry. The certificates ol Captain Bowden and the mate were then returned, the Court saying that no blame whatever could bo attached to the mate.