WRECK OF THE IDA ZEIGLER.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 661, 4 March 1869, Page 3

WRECK OF THE IDA ZEIGLER.

INQUIRY UNDER THE WRECKS' ACT. An inquiry into the wreck of the ship Ida Zeigler was held on Tuesday last, March 2, in the Custom-house, before J. M. Tabuteau, Esq., Collector of Customs. The following evidenco was adduced :

Captain George Sellars, on oath, de posed :—I was master of the late ship Ida Zeigler. On Friday, the 26th February, I went on board about 1 p.m. The sea was running so high that the lighter in which I went could not go alongside ; so I had the life-boat lowered, which took myself and some sheep on board. During the night the wind increased, and about 4 a.m. on Saturday was very heavy, with squalls. We had no anchor down at this time, only being attached to the moorings by one chain, on which was 50 fathoms of our ca ble, as well as 45 fathoms of the mooring cable. The ship rod' on the single chain till 9 a.m., when, finding the wind and sea still increasing, I let go the port anchor, and veered away on both, with about 85 fathoms on the starboard chain, and 30 on the port. About 10 a.m., during a very heavy squall, the ship parted her starboard cable. I immediately set to work to get a spring on the port cable to enable us to heave" the starboard cable in. While thi? was being done the ship struck the ground heavily aft. She struck five or six times, several times very heavily. I had taken soundings both before and immediately after letting so the port anchor, and had found the depth to be, as nearly as I could tell, fur and a-half fathoms. The ship drew over 18 feet. Owing, I believe, to her bumping on the ground, the second cable parted. We were then less than a mile from the beach. I immediately gave the order to loose the jib, staysail, and foresail, with the intention of ruuning her on shore. Finding that she would not wear. I slipped the whole of the starboatd cable, which was hanging overboard, in order that she might pay off to starboard My object was to run her as high and dry as possible on the beach, to save life, and if possible property, as it was perfectly out of the question to think of beating out. I therefore had her head put directly for the beach, and when she struck, with the valuable assistance of those on shore, all on board were landed without casualty.

Samuel Plumley, chief mate, on oath, deposed :—On Friday last, Feb. 26, the morning was fine, but the wind increased during the day. At noon, when I made the usual observations, the barometer stood at 29.95. There was then an increasing easterly breeze and a high sea running ; there had been a swell all the morning. The captain came on board about 1 p.m. The swell was then so groat that the lighter could not be alongside without damage, and consequently returned without discharging. The vessel rode very well until d a.m. on Saturday, when I found a good deal of sirain on the s'.avboard cable, and accordingly let go the port anchor. There were then about 85 fathoms of the ship's chain on the starboard side, and 35 on the port, the strain on the two being as nearly as possible equal. The windlass was chocked and the poles tommed down. About 10 a.m. the starboard chain ga<e way ; it broke a long way out—l should say about 30 fathoms from the ehip. Wr then gave her the whole of the port chain —about 90 fathoms. In the meantime we had g'-t a spring fast to the port chain, in order to case the cable up to get the use of ihe windlass to heave in the remainder of the starboard chain. While we were doing this, the port chain parted just outside the hawse. The diameter of the chain was not less than If in , the starboard one rather stouter. The captain gave orders to set the foretopmast staysail, jib, and foresail to run the ship on shore. The vessel had struck the ground several times previous to the port chain parting, and she bumped severely while the sails were being set. I had taken soundings the previous dav, and found 4f fathoms at about low waVer After the second cable parted I sounded and found 4*. Orders were given to slip the remainder of the starboard chain, as the ship would not steer with so much chain hanging to her side. I do no think the ship rode so well at the Government, moorings as she did at the former anchorage. The soundings there n-ave 6f fathoms, and we had had as heavy wind while we were there, though not so much sea.

Thomas Davies, second officer, on oath, deposed :—I have heard the previous evidence, and can confirm it. I believe everything was done ro save the ship. I believe that if she had been in her former position the wreck would not have occurred. I did not feel the ship strike before the second cable parted, but heard the word passed that she had done so. I was then very busy getting the spring on the cable. Immediately after the chain gave way I feither bump.

James Williamson, carpenter, on oath, deposed :—I can confirm the evidence of the other witnesses. It was my duty to see the windlass chocked, and this was done securely. I felt her strike both before and after the second chain parted. She struck quite hard enough to cause a leak. Ido not think she could have held together an hour after she struck. I had orders to slip the port cbain, but found it had gono in the hawse.

Frederick William Armitage, surgeon, on oath, deposed :—I do not know much of nautical matters; but can confirm the other witnesses as far as .my knowledge goes, particularly as regards the bumping before the port chain parted. It was a new and peouliar sensation to mo, and,

made me feel very nervous. The eaptain did not lose his presence of mind, nor did he appear to give unnecessary orders. He had some difficulty in getting all 'the men to work.

Michael Nichel, on oath, deposed:—l an: an A.B. I can confirm all I have heard from the former witnesses. I felt the vessel bump before the port chain parted. I do not think the ship could I have been saved. i