NAUTICAL ENQUIRY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 172, 23 July 1877, Page 2

NAUTICAL ENQUIRY.

An enquiry under the "Enquiry into Wrecks Act, 1869," was held last week into the circumstances attending the disaster to the brig Albion, which put in here some five weeks ago iv a disabled condition. After hearing the evidence, the Resident Magistrate took time to arrive at his decision which he gave this morning as follows:— 1. That the official number of the said ship called the Albion is 54,206, of which Alexander Robertson is master, who holds a certificate of competency, and which ship belonged to Samuel M'Coskrie, of Auckland

,2. That the loss or damage herein more particularly mea&oned happened on the 12th, -* Uth, 14feh, aad isth days of June, 187K % a^jout- 200 miles west of Taranaki. [■ 3. That the loss or damage appears by the ' evidence to have beea caused hj the weai: condition of the vessel's bottom. 4. That the -^nature of the loss or damage p. done was straining of the vessel throughout, breakage of the beams and knees, and loosening the fastenings, and it would cost from £1400 to £1600 to properly repair her. That the vessel was insured for £1500 in the New Zealand Insurance Company. the Albion is brig rigged. Her port of registry is Auckland, and her registered tonnage 248-16. That no lives were lost through the casualty. ' And I further 3tate my opinion that the vessel was not seaworthy when she left Hokianga, her bottom being so weak, but that the master was not aware of her unseaworthiness. The ship had been thoroughly repaired in May, 1876, according to the directions and to the satisfaction of the sur- ' veyorto the New Zealand Insurance Company, who gave a certificate oa the 30th May that she was then seaworthy. •. Relying entirely upon this certificate, the master (who only took charge of her on 29th May, 1876) has not examined her bottom since. It is in evidence, however, that the master was aware her kelson had been broken and repaired, and he had heard her back had also been broken. He was aware she always leaked when on the sfcr.rboard tact, and believing the leakage was caused by openings m the 3eamß he had the vessel thoroughly caulked before leaving Auckland on His last^ voyage." I tbjink, knowing as he did the past' history of the vessd, the master, ought before taking on board a heavy .deck cargo" to ' have done semething more than merely relyupon the surveyor's certificate. Heolightto have had her kelson and back properly examined. «•..*•.../.- I do not think the ship was overloaded had • she been seaworthy, but I think the deck" cargo should have been more firmly secured. Under the circumstances as stated in the depositions, I attach no imnorfcacce to the question of the ballasting. : .; i fii' In my opinion the captain is worthy! of censure in respect of the neglecLto examine- - the ship and more firmly secure his deck °?W- f Bufcldo not think it- necessary -to cancel or suspend his c'ertinWte. n" "■ "^- ' I may add that he appears to have displayed careful and skilful seamanship, and . that the crew behaved well atthetimeof the casualty. Finally I desire to espresg my opinion that, as the export timber trade is (and will be) one of the most important industries in New Zealand, it is desirable that the lading and sailing of timber-carrying ships should, as in North America, be regulated by law.