THE RECOVERED CABLE OF THE SHIP IDA ZEIGLER.—[COMMUNICATED.]

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 745, 20 December 1869, Page 3

THE RECOVERED CABLE OF THE SHIP IDA ZEIGLER. —[COMMUNICATED.]

In the shipping news of the last number of the Herald reference is made to the starboard cable of the ship Ida Zeigler, recovered vith the Government moorings, in a way calculated not only to mislead, but to call in question the honesty and truthfulness of Capt. Sellars and officers of the wrecked ship. At the official investigation into the cause of the wreck of the Ida Zeigier, the witnesses all declared that the starboard cable parted, and not the slightest suspicion was thrown on the strength of the Government cables. We never heard any suggestion that the moorings chains had given way, nor do we suppose any such belief has ever existed. In no part of the evidence is it stated that'the short length of the starboard cable was stouter than the rest. On the contrary, the carpenter stated that the whole of the port cable, as well as two lengths (each 15 fathoms), and a shorter length of 5 fathoms of the starboard cable, were the same thickness, viz, Mins., the rest being l-|ins. The portion of the cable recovered bears out his evidence. Another misstatement made i> that the cable parted at the hawse. The captain and officers stated their belief that it parted 30 fathoms from the hawse, there being 85 fathoms out ; and everybody who was present at the scene of the wreck saw the cable hanging from the hawse into the sea. It is to be hoped that where retlec tions are again made on absent men more regard may be had to tacts.