WRECK ENQUIRY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 193, 16 August 1877, Page 2

WRECK ENQUIRY.

[Before L. Broad, Esq., R.M., and Cap?. Johnston, Nautical Assessor.] The enquiry into the wreck of the Queen Bee commenced this morning. Mr Acton Adams conducted the proceedings on behalf of the Government, and Mr Pitt watched the case for the Captain. Captain Davis surrendered his certificate, but the first and second mate stated that they had lost theirs in the wreck. The examination of the Captain then commenced: — John Sayes Davies, master of the Queen Bee, stated that he had never been in Nelson before, but had passed through Cook's Strait We saw the reflection of the light at the Farewell Spit at 8 p.m. on the 6th of August. At 10 p.m. we were abreast of it, and, as I judged, four or five miles distant from it. The wind was (from the westward, and the vessel going from 7 to 8 miles an hour. This is only an estimate, as I did not heave the log. I had been troubled with the compasses throughout the voyage, for what reason I cannot say. The day previous to the ship striking 1 fixed an azimuth compass on the skylight. I did not take the bearings of the light as we passed. They were taken about 11 p.m. We then altered the course to S.S.E. £ E. I gave the .order myself. I know by seeing myself that the man at tha wheel was steering the course I gave him. Price was at the wheel from 10 p.m. until the ship struck. I had noft taken any soundings as I never doubted my position. lam aware' the water shoals round the spit, and, knowing this, I was stiil ao confident of my position that I did not think it necessary to take soundings or to heare the log. The vessel struck about 11-30. I went on deck shortly after 11, and had been up and down on the ; deck all night. Shortly before 11 I waa | looking at the chart in my cabin The chief officer and Mrs Ciibbs were there. I marked my course on the chart, the ship being then four or five miles from the shoal water at the Spit end, and from the light seven miles. It was then I gave the course to the chief officer S.S.E. £ E., and I went up and gave the same order to the man at the wheel. I remained some little time, and then went below to my cabin, but did not turn in. The chief officer and myself agreed as to the course. Shortly after eight I asked him if he was going to turn in, and he said as I was unwell he would remain up, I first saw the red light after the vessel struck. Mr Acton Adams: Now are you quite sure ' of that? j Mr Pitt: I must take exception to this l style of examination as being unnecessarily i severe. This is only an enquiry, and my friend is trying to convert it into a prosecution. I think he is going beyond counsel's duties in such a case. Mr Broad: I have given this matter much thought and am quite sure that I am actually trying the case, as sentence may follow iv the shape of suspension ot certificate. It is true that the Crorernor may mitigate the sentence by statute, as in a case of felony or misdemeanor he may by royal prerogative. Still I may nave to pass sentence. Mr Pitt i It is no part of the counsel to take the position of Crown Prosecutor in such o case as he is trying to do. If the facts are proved against me after a fair and impartial enquiry I shall of course submit, but that is tbe form it should take and not that of a prosecution. j

. Mr. Adams: I may say that I repeated 4s question out of kindness to the captain, ;as I am in possession of evidence to coufcradietaia statement with regard to the light; Mr Pitt: I strongly object to my friend stating what he is going to prove. Mr Broal: I may say that nothing I have yet heard in the way of examination appears to me to have gone too far. Examination continued: I was looking at the chart in the cabin when the ship struck I looked ac my tell-tale compass shortly after eleven and it agreed with the others. I struck it and it moved two points right off. As soon as she struck I tried to pay her off and she di i pay off two or three points. I tried to back her but she would not go. I then directed the boats to be cleared away and they wore put over. I gave orders that a few men should be put in each with oars. The boats were hanging to the ship by lines and painters. I asked the second mate if there were sufficient oars in the boats, and he and the first officer said there were. I theii sent, the second officer away in the dingy and gave him his course to Nelson and told him to report to the agent. I was not aware of their being a telegraph office at Motueka. J sent up rockets but got no response. I expected the second mate would have returned with a steamer about 6 p.m. The weather changed after the mate left. I had gofc up provisions on the poop intending to pnt them in the boats when all was right. I had no charts or compasses put into the boats as I did not intend them to leave then. They went away without my orders. I intended to gditt the boat with Mrs Gibbs, and had my coat put into it. Several bottles of ale were pufe on the. poop as well. There was a bag of bread put in one of the boats. I told itheoi not to fill up with too much weight. I did not see it thrown over, and did not order it to be. 1 did not refuse to allow the steward to put bottled ale in the gig, iidr when he was getting up provisions did I tell him not to put up that rubbish as we should shortly be on shore. I first began putting the pasaengsrs into the boats about 7 p.m. I ordered the life boat to haul out of the way for fear the other one should be stove in. I then began to put people in the cutter. I put more in than I intended to remain. I then had fifteen people left on board. There was not a great deal of wind all that time. I told the lifeboat and cutter to keep close by until all was right. I wanted the officers on board to assist me up to the last moment, and intended then to put them into the boats. I did not lower the gig, as I meant to stand by the ship untill assistance came. Mr Hilliard and Mr Beckett as well as myself sung out to the boats not to leave. They left about 8 o'clock. [The remainder of the evidence up to the time of landing on Durville's Island wa3 similar to that already published."! I cannot say what was the condition of the cargo up to tha time of the wreck. I cannot say whether it was damaged or not. The fore part of the main deck was not leaky. The after part might have been. Sometimes during the voyage there was a tremendous body of water on. the deck. I had things on board that I was bringing out hoping to make a shilling or two on them. They might have been worth about £70 or £80. I hal over £300 worth of private effects on board. The goods, it insured at all, were not insure! to over £150. I had no interest in anything else on board. By the Court: The sails and masts belonging to tha life boat and cutter were actually on board the ship, but were nofc put into the boats, aa tbey left hefore I had time to put them in. The oars were put in by my directions. The Court then adjourned until 11 a.m. to-morrow.