WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1143, 11 October 1871, Page 2

WAIROA.

THE WRECK OP THE MIDLOTHIAN.— OFFICIAL ENQUIRY. An official inquiry into the wreck of the ketch Midlothian, at Wairoa, was held on Saturday last, 7th vast, before F. F. Ormond, E*q., R.M., and G J. Gumming, Esq , J P. The following evidence was adduced : Captain John Wilson, master of the ketch, states : I left Napier on Tuesday afternoon last, at 4 p.m. On Wednesday, put back through stress of weather to "within four miles to the north of Napier Bluff. At 6 p.m. the same day got under weigh under close reefed canvas. At 1 a m. tacked ship and stood in. At 8 a.m. tacked and passed the Hero at noon, blowing strong from N.W. Having some cargo to land at Mohaka, we «tooil in to within 200 yards of the bar, when the wind suddenly shifted to the S.E. I tried to get off a lee shoie. At 3 p.m. was opposite the Wairoa River bar, in company with the Hero, finding the ebb tide too strong, hauled out to sea at a quarter past o p m., the wind increasing to a gale with heavy sea running and Showers. 1 squared away then for the bar; but the bar having shifted further to the south since 1 last crossed it, the vessel touching the ground become unmanageable and dro\e ashore. The Hero got aground before I did, half an hour before. It was low water at about 5 p.m. and I tried to get in with the first of the flood. After the vessel getting ashore and the sea making a clean breach over her, T went ashore for the safety of my own life. Next morning at daybreak I commenced to unload the vessel, and got out, I believe, all the cargo, with the exception of one bundle of wool sacks. The principal part of the cargo was damaged. During the night it was impossible to unload her; it wa< only in the morning that she was washed up on the beach, so that we could get on board her. On getting on board we found one large hole on the starboard side, and the sea breaking into her. On Friday at about 3 p.m., 1 put away and removed the rigging and sails. I did this because I considered the ship would go to pieces and be lost. On Friday morning I sa\ ed tie boat and all the loose gear I could see about the deck. My opinion now is that the vessel is a total wreck, her starboard side being completely out of her. T cannot produce my logbook; it is lost, with the exception of one leaf wlifch was brought to me by a Maori. The book was kept on a shelf in my cabin. T produce the recovered leaf. Charles McLegan, being duly sworn, states as follows: At about 3 p.m. on Thursday, the sth of October, I was acting as mate on board the ketch Midlothian. We found the ebb tide at the Wairoa River too strong, and went out Lo sea to await the slack tide. About half-past 5 p.m. we returned to the bar and tried to run in ; she touched the ground and became unmanageable. She was sent by the waves up the beach to the northward. We remained on board for several hours under cover of the cabin, and at last owing to the heavy seas breaking over her were obliged to leave. The vessel was not injured when I left her. Before day break 1 returned on board, and as soon as it was light I saw a hole in her starboard side. I went on shore and returned again on board several times, vyiiJi the intention of looking after the cargo Soon after daybreak we commenced to get the cargo out; it was all damaged, but brought ashore. The Hero got ashoie before us, her starboard to the sea, but close tp the edge of the bar. We did all in our power to save the vessel and cargo. There was no spirituous liquor on board our vessel. Frederick Spooner, being duly sworn, states as follows : I have served from cook to captain on board ships of various tonnage. I now reside at Wairoa. On Friday, the 6th October, 1871, between G and 7 a in., I went to tlm mouth of the Wairoa "River and saw the Midlothian pu shore. The people were busy getting out the cargo. All the cargo 1 saw landed appeared to be much damaged—and the ship in a xevy precarious position, the sea break: ing' completely over her, and I saw some of the starboard timbers floating

away. I cannot gh e an opinion as to how she got on shore, or whether any blame attaches to the captain or crew. The accident might have occurred under the most experienced captain. I remained near the vessel till about % p.m., and saw the captain and mat© doing their best to save property. J consider the captain was not drunk. I left about 2 p m. Henry James Sturley, sworn, <l 6 . posed :—On Friday, Oct. 6, at about $ p.m., I went down to see the Midlothian, and found the waves breaking over her and into her. I considered her a perfect wreck. [ got on board of her and saw a large hole on her starboard side; she was full of sand, I saw the captain; T consider that lift was drunk I remained on the beach, several hours. AH the cargo had been removed before I arrived. I hold a first-class certificate as master. I consider the captain should have stood out to sea, and have tried to reach Long Point, instead of attempting the bar on an ebb tide. .Robert M'Gregor, sworn, deposed* —I am mate of the schooner Hero. I saw the ketch Midlothian go on shore on the night of the sth October. I do, not consider that it was the captain's fault that she got on shore, I saw- the captain on his landing from the vessel; I considered him perfectly sober, j consider the cargo should have been got out during the night. I was not present when the cargo was being removed next morning, and cannot state whether ihe captain was drunk. It was a littlo after 6 a in. when they commenced to discharge the cargo. The wind was. S.E, a'smart breeze, and the vessel might have got out to sea. My opinion is that the captain should have waited an hour, and then have taken the bar. The Midlothian had a single reef in her mainsail. From 2 a.m. till 4 a.m. the captain was with the Hero }ying on the beach. I consider that the cargo might during this time have been discharged, and I consider that no further damage would have been done to the cargo than has done. I also consider that the vessel and cargo migHt have been saved had this been done. Peter Walker, sworn, deposed :—I am acting as agent for the Midlothian. T heard of her being ashore on Thursr day night. I attempted to get assistance. The general opinion was that it vvas imprudent to attempt to cross the river in the dark on account of the fresh. Soon after daybreak I arrived at the wreck, got the people together, and commenced discharging. The captain assisted, but 1 do not consider that he could perform his duty satisfactorily; in fact I consider that he was not sober. The mate of the vessel woiked hard, On arriving at the vessel I took measures to get her discharged as quickly as possible. The tide was low and not breaking over her. She had a hole on her starboard side.