WRECK ENQUIRY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 195, 18 August 1877, Page 2

WRECK ENQUIRY.

[Before L. Broad, Esq., E.M., aud Caft Johxstox, Nautical Assessor.] YESTERDAY. After our reporter left, Mr Baillie, chief officer, was examined at length by Mr Adams his evidence being corroborative of that given by the Captain. THIS DAY. Matthew Baillie, examined by Captain Johnson: Isawthelight justbofore 8 o'clock and took the bearings which I put on the Io«' slate. The weather was clear over head but hazy on the land, which, however, we could distinctly see. We saw Cape Farewell and Wanganui Bight. At 8 o'clock the second mate took the watch. I gave no special orders about the look-out as there was one kept all through the voyage. I took an azimuth observation once and found there was an error to the extent of 2£ points to the eastward. It was comparatively smooth when we struck. The vessel did not strike heavily , but ran on to the sand bank with a sudden stop. About half an hour later she struck the heaviest. The sea did not break over her till the afternoon. The anchor was not run out because it was considered useless There were three men for a crew in the ' cutter and four or five in the lifeboat They had balers aud buckets on board. Every- ; fhlng was done in my opinion that could be ' done to get the vessel off. j By Mr Pitt: The captain waa constantly ?n deck between 8 and 11 on Monday night. 5

Shortly before 11 1 told him the light bore I J '• dlstant ab °«t 7 miles, and he asKea me to come down aud shape the course. 7k ? hl lidI i d^ ew fche docfcor ' s attention to Bite tact that the compass in the binnacle waa not working. We tapped one side and then the other, and it went off about three points from one side to the other. I approved of the course given by the Captain. It would have taken us quite far enough off the Spit. I told Pnce at the wheel to steer her carefully as we were near the land. He said she was going steady and that he was steering bv a star, I had not the slightest doubt that all was right. It was about a quarter of an hour after my going below to supper that the ship struck. I heard the Captain several times give orders to be careful in getting the boats out. The reason fche full complement of oars was not put into each boat before they were lowered was because they were not intended to start away then An oar was put in for each seaman, and only sufficient men were put in to keep the boats off the ship. I don't think the Captain would have allowed fifteen to remain on board if he could have helped it with onlv one gig for them. J By Mr Broad: The last words I said to the Doctor were thafc I was going in the cutter with him. This was by the Captain's orders. r John Ernest Going : I was second officer of the Queen Bee. During the voyage I frequently heard the captain and chief officer say that the compasses were in error On Sunday I was aware that the compasses were found to agree. I took the watch at eight 0 clock on Monday night. I could then see the light. The vessel was steering various courses between 10 and 1 1 o'clock. I ofteu watched the compass and touched it up as it did not move freely. Supposing the compasses were wrong between lo and 11 I think we could have steered by the shin's position to the light. We knew that evening that the compasses were not working well Neither of my superior officers told me to report the position of the light that evening. 1 had no orders fco report the red light when it came in view. The red light came in view that evening shortly before the vessel struck. It might have been about a quarter of an hour. The captain was not on deck at that time. I was talking to Mr Baillie about opening up the red light. He replied, boing as we are we ought nofc to see it at •wL this he went down supper. When we first saw the red light it was on the starboard quarter. I heard the breakers all the way round the Spit from the time I came on deck. I did not see them. I did not see how the light bore by the compasses at 11 0 clock. I don't know how the light could have been west by south at 11 o'clock, and north-west when the vessel struck at 11-30 if we were steering a S.S.E. course. When the vessel struck the light waa still ou the starboard quarter. By Captain Johnston: I received no orders afc eight o'clock. I was not aware that any course was given. The Captain was on deck during my watch. I considered myself under the chief officer. He kept on the weather side and I on the lee side. I wenfc forward several times to see that a look-out was kept. 1 cannot remember the exact course steered at 8 o clock. Various courses were steered, and they were given by the captain. Wheu the light was on fche beam fche wind was on the beam also. I recollect the course being altered afc 11 o'clock. I should think that I saw the red light aboufc half an hour after ■ * y ard3 . were braced, or the course altered. j A short time before she struck, young Gibbs assed me if I heard the roar of the breakers, ,', f a r e me hia glasses. I looked towards the bpit, and thought I could see a white line, and I said, "By jingo that looks like surf.. It extended to four points on the starboard bow. I went to the compass, and compared it with the azimuth. I told Prica not to let her come to windward. Immediately she struck I sung out " Hard up with your helm. All hands on deck." I let go the spanker sheet and lee main braces, and the captain then came up and took charge. It was aboufc three minutes after bibbs called my attention to the breakers that the ship struck. I thought the breakers as they appeared to me were four miles away at least. Why I did not call the captain was because I thought it impossible it could be ... . * saw the slli P danger I should think it my duty to alter the course without waiting for orders. From what I have since seen of the place I do nofc think ifc could have been surf that I saw. By Mr Broad: The mate had gone below rS n mmites befor e the ship struck, lhe Court then adjourned until two p.m. on Monday. r