THE LOSS OF THE ELIZABETH CURLE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2602, 9 August 1882, Page 4

THE LOSS OF THE ELIZABETH CURLE.

fPRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND, Augusts. An enquiry has been held into the loss of the schooner Elizabeth Curio, at Cuvier Island, on the 29th ult. It took place before J, 0. McDonald, 8.M., and Captain Fraser as nautical assessor. Mr Hudson appeared on behalf of the Crown, and Mr Theodore Cooper for Captain Johnston, the master of tho vessel, and for the mate. Mr Cooper asked if the mate was charged with any fault, Mr Williamson said such was not intended, and that the mate was only to be examined as a witness. Tho Crown prosecutor stated that fa preliminary enquiry had been held before the Collector of Customs, and in consequence of the evidence then taken the case was now brought before Court. The master of the vessel having no certificate, the Court could only impose a nominal penalty. The master ot tho schooner stated that he was endeavoring to weather Cuvier Island at a distance of one to two miles, and the wind fell away when half mile or three-quarters from the island, and the vessel refused to stay. He did not find bottom with the lead until after the anchor was down. He got six or seven fathoms when the vessel was about half a length off the shore. The anchor did bring the vessel up. He had two anchors on tho vessel and a cable in good condition. He waited for half an hour to see if the sea would moderate, and found the sea rising, and decided to abandon the vessel. They did all they could to save tho ship. The owner said the vessel was not insured, but the freight, ho believed, was insured. Ho had no time to put a second anchor out. He did not leave the vessel until he considered it necessary to do so for the safety of the crew. He stayed by the vessel until she was 20ft from the shore. Ha conld not have launched a boat after the schooner struck.—Thos. Binney, mate, gave corroborative evidence. The Court, in giving judgment, said the vessel had no business in the place where she was, and for that the master was wholly responsible, In depending on a chance wind holding np to get round the island he was blamablo, as not only risking property, but the lives of his orew, for had not the cable held out, the result might have been very different. As the master had no certificate, he could only punish him by adjudging him to pay the costs of enquiry.