WRECK OF THE MERMAID.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 120, 21 May 1878, Page 2

WRECK OF THE MERMAID.

An inquiry into the circumstances attending tho loss of this vessel was held before the Collector ot Customs this morning. The following evidence was adduced: — William Smith, master of the Mermaid: I hold a certificate of service. The vessel belongs to Mr Dodson of Biwaka Ido not think she was insured. She is worth about £80. I left Nelson on the Bth instaut bouud for tbe Tata Islands. We arrived there on the 9th, and continued loading limestone until 4 pm. on the 10th. There was too much swell on to load the vessel after that time. I then hauled off to where I considered was a safe anchorage. At midnight the wind came from the SE. with rain. I ran an anchor out to windward. I then had two anchors down and a warp from the shore. At 4 a.m. on Saturday a very heavy swell set in. At 11 a.m. the cable of the starboard anchor parted, and the vessel commenced to drag towards the shore. About 12 o'clock she struck on the rocks and carried away her stern post. I found she was sinkldg. The dingy got adrift. land my mate managed to jump upon the island. At three p.m. the wind increased to a gale, and the seas were breaking over the vessel. We stayed by her until tbe next morning, and at low water unbent the main and mizen sails We then gathered portions of the wreck together and made a raft and got on to the mainland. About uoon on Sunday before we left she was a perfect wreck. I know the Tatas well, having traded there off and on for the last twenty years. Everything was done that was possible to save the vessel. She was ketch rigged, and well found in everything. William Keane corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. [Captain Smith desires to return thanks to Mr Charles Hogan for the kindness and hospitality displayed to tue crew of the ill-fated vessel.]