WRECK OF THE OCEAN MAIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5043, 23 May 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

WRECK OF THE OCEAN MAIL.

ARRIVAL OF THE OMAHA WITH PASSENGERS AND CREW. PULL REPORT OF THE OFFFICIAL ENQUIRY. STATEMENTS OP’ PASSENGERS. CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE CHATHAM ISLANDS. EVERY PARTICULAR. lu all cases o£ shipwreck there is an amount 0 £ painful interest and agitation felt which is peculiar to disasters on the high seas, the novelty—to a great extent—of the situation, and the enormous interests involved, combining to have this effect upon the minds of all of us, and the wreck of the Ocean Mail has since its occurrence, been the great subject of attention and chief topic of conversation, it wc except the war nows from Europe, which now comes to us at brief intervals. It is quite easy to understand, therefore, that the excitement in town yesterday mornin'l' became intense when the intelligence was carried along that the brigantine Omaha had arrived in the harbor with tho passengers, officers, and crew of tho ill-fated vessel wrecked on the 19th of March. When between 7 and 8 o’clock a.m. a signal appeared on Mount Victoria indicating that a brigantine was coming into port from the South, it did not'strike anyone, so far as we heard, that there was any reason to regard the fact as being one of special moment ; hut immediately tho vessel rounded Halswell Point, being a sisted by a fresh fair wind, she at once became an object of interest to a number of people on tho Queen’s wharf, and the nautical few among Icm pronounced her to be a stranger of the well-known Auckland build. She sailed up beautifully, and having arrived close enough, a number of telescopes were brought to bear upon her, and it could be seen that her decks were crowded with people. Her name was r ixiously looked for, but that could not be discovered until she camo within a short distance from tho wharf. Then, to the astonishment of all who were there to be astonished, the vessel was made out to be the Omaha, from the Chatham Islands, and her passengers the people from the wreck of the ship Ocean Mail. She anchored out in the stream, opposite the Provincial Buildings. It is popularly supposed that news travels faster than many things which could be mentioned, and ill-news particularly ; it was certainly surprising to notice how rapidly the intelligence of the Omaha’s arrival spread ye-terday. Shortly after she made her appearance people were talking about the affair in various parts ' of the town, and a crowd soon collected on tho , wharf and at the breastwork, the brigantine being the object upon which the attention of [ everyone was concentrated. Speculation ran ’ high as to who was on board, and when a boat put oif those in it were regarded with greater j curiosity and interest than ever was bestowed upon any collection of wild animals in the . world. Those of the crowd whose only feel- ‘ fugs on the subject of the wreck were such as _ influence people in connection with novelty, or ' akin to the morbid curiosity which one could | imagine to actuate visitors to the morgue of . Paris, and scenes of a like tragic character— ( those, we say, looked on as it were greedily, j endeavoring probably to discover something in i the appearance of the passengers to indicate j the experience of terrible hardship; most ( probably being very much disgusted to find that with tho exception of a certain sea-dog j air and a look of importance, pardonable u-der the circumstances, they were in no ma erinl , degree different to ordinary moi tals; and wo ‘ have a shrewd suspicion that a few broken , limbs woidd, for the taste and fancy of the j small-boy element, have lent additional relish ; to the scene. But there were many there well j acquainted with the officers and passengers of ( the Ocean Mail, and eager glances were directed towards the boats as they left the brigantine, and hearty congratulations met tho people as they landed. Such a shaking of hands surely never was seen before; at every turn the captain, the mate, and tho passengers were ( call d upon to participate in this performance, ( and to be congratulated on their safe deliverance from the terrible danger in which they had been placed whilst on a voyage which j promised at the outset to be so pros- j perons. In contrast to these pleasurable emotions was the feeling excited by the • intelligence that the :.econd and third officers and an apprentice camo ashore in custody of ' a special constable, charged with perjury in | the enquiry held into the circumstances of the wreck at Matarakau. Whilst others were received as we have endeavored to describe, these men were taken to the common goal, there to await their trial at tho Supreme Court. It appears that the perjury, of which prima facie case was made out, consisted in swearing that the log had been regularly hove; but this was proved to be untrue, and then the apprentice, Tregillus, admitted that ho had sworn falsely. The two officers named and the apprentice were accordingly committed to take their trial. As will ho seen by tho report of the official enquiry published elsewhere the certificate of the captain was suspended for nine months. During the whole of yesterday there was a great deal of excitement over tho affair, and naturally curiosity as to the particulars was at its height. We are fortunately in a position to supply every particle of information that could possibly be obtained in reference to the wreck and a 1! tho circnmst. - oes connected with it. Before prooeecflng further, however, we shall give a description in the ordinary course of the passage of the brigantine from tho Chathams to this port. It appears that the Omaha, after discharging a quantity of stores from Auckland at the various stations at the Chatham Islands, went round to tho scene of the wreck of th i Ocean Mail, and on the 19th inst. her crow and passengers, with their effects, Wore got on hoard the brigantine, and she weighed anchor tho same day for Wellington. The passage was an uneventful one, and occupied three days. Tho Ocean Mail’s people wore accommodated during tho trip between decks, and tho arrangements made for them wore as comfoi table as could possibly ho expected in so small a Vestel.

To proceed w Ith the sources of information at our command, it may ho as well at this point to £ivo an account of the passage of the Ocean Mail from the 16th of March, nt 11 o’clock p.m., until the date and hour at which she struck on the reef, as gleaned from A PASSENGER’S STATEMENT,

which will be found to give a succinct and exceedingly interesting account of the affair. The writer says : On Friday morning, IGth March, after a detention of ten days at Wellington owing to contrary S.E, winds, a light breeze sprang up from the N.W., and we proceeded to get Under way. M ho pilot came on board, and while the cable was being hove in a small steamer with tanks of fresh water came alongside, and wo took in an additional supply. It was a beautiful morning. The sun shone brilliantly from an azure sky, and as we passed a reef of rocks and neared the Heads the wind freshened to a steady breeze, and wo could discern at ten or twelve miles distance the white sails of the Avalanche, which vessel had sailed from Worscr Pay four or five hours before wo did. The ship Himalaya, bound for Callao, also followed shortly after wo left, and was in sight for some ; hut towards evening she kept away more to the northward. We gained considerably on the Avalanche, steering the same course during the day and succeedwe were nearly abreast of her, and the forenoon side by side, the two Vessels keeping about a hundred yards apart. The captain and officers wcic highly delighted at our marked superiority in sailing the wind fair, especially as ft great many wagers were laid in Wellington/previous to our sailing as to Which vessel woulyl first arrive in London, the provalentPnhiioqpeinginfavorof the Avalanche. Our car;f..Tjfl>f «£nn.l. invited on board the captain of 'iZ^vcT * who. in reply, declined •filed the emnniimnnt-

by asking our captain to go on hoard the Avalanche. The latter accepted this invitation, and ordered a boat, in which he went to tho Avalanche, and remained on board several hours. During the time some of the Avalanche’s passengers amused themselves by firing from the poop at the albatrosses flying astern, and our boat was employed in picking up a chance wounded bird when it fell into the water, preparatory to its undergoing the process of drying and stuffing. This visit at its conclusion was attended with an unfortunate result, as the boat accidentally got under the stem of the Avalanche, and was stove in by the swell of the sea—one of the boat’s crew nearly losing his life. We were all so elated at the thought of ours being the first vessel, that our chief officer gave expression to his jubilant feelings by chalking on a blackboard in large letters, “ Any letters for London.” This notice was put in a conspicuous place, and could be read by the officers of the Avalanche, no doubt to their great mortification and chagrin. Alas we little thought in our exulting and vain confidence that in a few days our noble vessel would be lying on the rocks hopelessly wrecked. The following night the wind drew more ahead, and on tho evening of Sunday, the 18th, the Avalanche was miles to windward. Nothing of any importance occurred until Tuesday, 20th. The winds were light and baffling, principally from the S.E., with very cloudy weather. Ouly one observation could be obtained since we left Wellington. I remarked, in conversation with tho chief mate, early on the voyage, about the log not being hove, and he said it was the captain’s orders not to do it, as he did not believe in its use. This struck me as a very extraordinary opinion, more particularly later on, when I knew the ship’s position necessarily depended on the dead reckoning, from the sun being obscured for tho last two or three days. The patent log was not mentioned or alluded to by him in any way, and certainly not put over the stern during the voyage, or it must have been seen in the watches. In the afternoon of Tuesday, 20th, the captain said the barometer which was kept in his cabin hart fallen 5-loths, and that we were not far from the Chatham Islands, but ho did not expect to sight them. It camo on to blow in tho first watch, and the wind increased in violence, accompanied with heavy showers of rain, so that all hands were called to take in sail, and in the middle watch also all hands were called to further reduce the sail. I passed a restless night, dozing occasionally. The wind, coming in sudden gusts, howled mournfully through the rigging, as if in prophetic tone sounding a requiem for the gallant ship shortly to he numbered in the catalogue of the wrecked and lost, though happily in this case without loss of life.

A little before 4 o’clock a.m., on Wednesday, the 21st, as I lay awake I saw someone from tho deck rush through the saloon on the opposite side of my cabin to the captain's stateroom and say the ship was clo:.e on tho land. The captain camo out immediately partly dressed, and excitedly gave a number of what seemed to he contradictory orders, for before one order would be attempted another followed. I hastened on deck and there saw, upheaving through the thick darkness, the white crest of breakers close on her iee, and low land apparently not more than three quarters of a mile to windward. About 4.20 a.m. the ship struck lightly aft, and in a few minutes a second time, and continued striking at intervals with more or less violence. We watched with straining anxious eyes for the first gleam of morning light, and when at length the long-desired day broke (for it appeared an interminable time), we saw that although the ship was in all probability doomed to destruction, there waS a prospect of saving our lives. How wo could have reached the place where wo lay is beyond explanation, and borders on tho marvellous, for at a short distance astern there were other rooks with the sea breaking over them visible at certain times of the tide, which we must have literally grazed as we passed by. After some time bad elapsed (an hour or more), the boats were got from the booms on dock, and the boat hanging to tho starboard davits was made ready and lowered safely. The chief

officer ordered the saloon passengers (fortunately only throe in number) into the boat ; but the third officer, who was in charge, peremptorily refused to allow any luggage whatever to be taken, alleging that he had received orders not to permit anything into the boat but the captain’s effects. Three chronometers, a barometer, a small cask of fresh water, some bread and tins of preserved meat were put into the boat; the steward then got in, and we left the ship. After we had rowed nearly half way towards shore, we saw a horseman riding rapidly along the sands towards us; and several natives also appeared, who pointed to a spot to come ashore at, as the surf was running high. We all landed in safety. The rider proved to be Mr. P , a magistrate, who with his partner, Mr. C , also a magistrate, are runholdera on the island. Mr. P in the kindest manner invited ns to his house, about twelve miles' off, when we recovered onr luggage from the wreck, which wo were fortunate enough to do during the day, although some of it was greatly injured by* salt water. Wo passed that night in a house belonging to a native about a mile and a half distant. The native readily gave us food and shelter, and we lay down on our rugs thankful, I hope, to Almighty God that our lives had been saved. The place of our wreck is on the north part of Chatham Islands, fifteen miles to tho eastward of Cape Young, and, from tho course last steered, we must have passed between it and the .Sisters Pocks, twelve miles distant, before we struck. On the 24th tho Nautical Assessor went on board to survey tho ship, with the captain. The water was then up to the saloon floor, and the vessel being adjudged derelict and lost, was sold as she lay on tho rocks, with cargo, on the 26th, by public competition, for the benefit of all concerned, and realised the sum of £945. The vessel and cargo on clearing at Wellington was valued approximately at upwards of £IOO,OOO. A court of inquiry into the cause of tho vessel being lost was held at Matarakau, near the scone of the wreck, on tho 27th March, before the Resident Magistrate and two other Justices of tho Peace residing ou the island. It was not concluded until tho 3rd April, Friday and Sunday intervening. Evidence of an extraordinary character was elicited. It transpired that only one observation could be obtained, owing to the cloudy weather, and that on tho first part of tho voyage, yet the log was not hove at any time. The captain, on being sworn, stated that ho gave orders for tho log to bo hove, but admitted that ho had not personally seen it done, and that he bad seen the patent log which he said was put in the water at 7 p.m. on tho night previous to tho wreck through his cabin windows. The chief officer in his evidence swore that tho log had not been hove at all on Ills watch, and that ho had been told by tho second officer that the captain would not permit it to be hove, as ho did not believe in it. The second and third officers, who were in tho same watch, deposed that the log was hove every two hours in their watch, and that on the night before the wreck they hove it themselves, assisted by a boy. Tho hoy was sworn, and corroborated tho statements of tho second and third officers ; hut later in the day, when summoned to give further evidence, confessed that his former evidence was false, and that ho had sworn it so as to confirm the testimony of the second officer. All hands in the second officer’s watch were examined, and swore that tho log was not hove from the time the ship left Wellington. The Court, after mature deliberation on tho evidence in this conflicting case, which disclosed tho most culpable negligenco iu not taking necessary and ordinary precaution for tho safe navigation of tho vessel, and also created grave suspicion in reference to tho more serious charge of perjury, passed the following sentence, viz. ;—That tho master’s certificate of competency bo suspended for nine months, and tile first and second mates’ certificates for six months ; and, further, that the district constable bo instructed to prosecute the secoud and third officers with tho boy for perjury. A second Court was held at Matarakau on tho 16th and I7th of April, before tho Resident Magistrate and another Justice of tho Pm/W bnforo wlirnn flm —'"O".'! thixd.

mates, with the boy, were arraigned, and from the sworn evidence of a great number of tho crew, who were bound over to appear as witnesses for the prosecution, they were committed to take their trial for wi’ful and corrupt perjury at the next practicable sitting of the Supreme Court in Wellington, but were admitted to bail ad interim ou the island until an opportunity offered to send them in custody to New Zea’and.

In closing this brief account I beg to acknowledge the deep and lasting debt of gratitude we owe to Messrs. 3? and C for the uniform kindness we received during the true we were inmates of their hospitable dwalling (which included many weeks) until an opportunity occurred to take passage for Ne w Zealand. They were tho first to visit us iu our misfortune when wo landed from the wreck; ’ike tho good Samaritan of old, they pitied our distressed condition, and cordially invited us to their pleasant home twelve miles distant, supplied horses for our own use and for the removal of our luggage, and gave daily proofs of their benevolence by having everything provided that could add to our comfort, and in diverting our thoughts as much as possible from tho recollection of the disastrous circumstances which were brought to tho island and became their guests. THE SALE. As our readers are aware, the Ocean Mail, or what remained of her after the wreck, and the cargo, were sold at the island; and in reference to the sale a Mr. David Meikle writes to us a long letter, in which he makes allegations to tho effect that the sale was improperly conducted. He states that the majority of tho inhabitants on the island were debarred from competing at the auction in consequence of neglect upon the part of the proper authorities to give due notice of tho date upon which the sale would take place, and that residents at a trifling distance away were totally ignorant of it. As a natural consequence there was want of active competition, and to this he attributes the fact that the amount received by the sale was so low, believing that had it been conducted properly a sum of £ISOO or £2OOO could very easily have been realised. He also alleges that favoritism was displayed by tho auctioneer. A protest signed by Europeans and a few natives was lodged with the Resident Magistrate ; but no notice was taken of it, and Mr. Meikle attaches blame to tho magistrate for this, and for not having exorcised what ho supposes to be that official’s power to compel the auctioneer to give proper notice of the sale, the auctioneer being a police constable. In the course of his remarks he incidentally mentions that some of the goods from tho ship, lodged at a house on the island, were not sold at the auction, among them a clock, which tho proprietor of the house stated had been presented to hi in by Captain Watson. As a point indicative of the improper manner in which the sale was conducted, Mr. Meikle says that on the vessel being put up he hid £450, and then sat down. The vessel was subsequently knocked down to Mr. Akerly for £6OO. Tho cargo was then put up, and he (Mr. Meikle) bid £2O. As soon as ho had done so, however, Mr. Akerly said, “ I am owner of that ship, and nobody puts his foot on board of her without my permiejon.” This stopped tho bidding for a time; but subsequently it proceeded, and Mr. Akerly became the buyer for £345. Mr. Meikle’s letter generally would seem to indicate that the circumstances of the sale were anything but creditable, and consequently the property reassert loss than it should have done. OFFICIAL INQUIRY. Tho official inquiry was held at the Court House, Matarakau, before Samuel Deighton, K.M., Messrs. H. T. Pattisou and E. R. Cbudleigh, J.P.’s, and Captain Robert Morgan, of tho Agnes, as Nautical Assessor, lasting from 27th March to 3rd April. The following is a full report of the proceedings : We, the undersigned, two of her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace ;and a Resident Magistrate for the colony of New Zealand, having been on the 24th day of March, 1877, applied to by Samuel Deighton, Esq., principal officer of Customs at the port of Waitangi, Chatham Islands, for a formal investigation pursuant to section 17 of tho Inquiry into Wrecks Act, 1863, and other provisions of the said Act, respecting the loss of a certain iron ship called the Ocean Mail, British ship, of the port of London, on tho 21st day of March last, 1877, on the French Reef, near Matarakau, Chatham Islands, colony of New Zealand, did duly proceed with the said investigation, to wit, on the 27th d;.y of March, 1877, and had before us divers persons and witnesses, to wit, John Watson, George Johnson, Alexander Caiman, William Morrison, Frederick Pattison, Alfred Tourges, Richard Cottow, William Farley, Robert Baker, William Quince, Richard Parker, James Ball, Charles Hnlsc, Robert Wright, Jamos Conway, Henry Capel, Walter Durant, Edwin Tregillus, John Waterson, Edward Merrick, Joseph Sturgess, John Anderson, Alexander Moss, and John Jordan, the original depositions of whoso evidence are hereunto annexed signed by us, being assisted by Robert Morgan, master mariner, holding a certificate of competency from tho Board of Trade, No. 18,787, who was duly appointed by Samuel Deighton, Esq., principal officer of the Customs at the port of Waitangi, to act as assessor to us, the said Justices of tire Peace and Resident Magistrate, and upon such investigation and examination of witnesses as aforesaid, wo find and bog to report to the Honorable tho Postmaster-General of Now Zealand as follows, that is to say —- I. That the official number of said ship called the Ocean Mail is G 0971, of which John Watson is master, who holds a certificate of competency, and which ship belonged to John Patton, tire younger, 22, Lcadenhallstreet, City of London, shipowner. 11. That the loss or damage herein more particularly mentioned happened oir tho 21st day of March, 1877, at about four o’clock in the morning, on tho French Reef, near Matarakan, Chatham Islands, colony of Now Zealand.

111. That tho loss or damage appears by the evidence to have been caused by stranding. IV. That tho nature of tho damage done was total wreck.

That tho vessel was insured (not known). That tho Ocean Mail is full-riggod. Her port of registry, London; her registered tonnage, 1039 3-100.

That no lives were lost through the wreck. And we the said Justices of the Peace and Resident Magistrate further state our opinion on tlie matter aforesaid to bo as follows :

That the ship Ocean Mail was wrecked on the French Reef, near Matarakau, Chatham Islands, colony of New Zealand, on the morning of Wednesday, the 21st of March, 1877, partly on account of an error in her compasses (which bad not been corrected for deviation since last August twelvemonth), and also on account of gross negligence on the part of her master, John Watson, in not having used any available moans for ascertaining the position of the vessel by keeping the log going during the trip from Wellington, which precaution lias been proved by evidence to have been totally neglected. It is further proved that (in consequence of tile cloudy state of the weather) sights were obtained only once, namely, on the day after her departure from Wellington. On that account her course was worked by dead reckoning only, which, by the negligence of the captain and his officers, namely, first, second, and third mates, was entirely, guess work. The Court, however, takes into consideration the fact that the Chatham Islands as laid down in Iraray’s chart (the one used by Captain Watson); differs from that made by Mr. P. Smith, one of the New Zealand Government Surveyors, by about thirteen miles in longitude and one mile in latitude. The correctness of the position of the islands as laid down by Mr. Smith has been verified by observations made by the American Transit Party in 1874, and by Mr. Dennys, Navigating Lieutenant Jon board H.M.S. Sapphire, in February, 1877The Court is of opinion that-had the chart used by Captain Watson been correct, the ship Ocean Mail might possibly have cleared the island; but that supposition does not exonerate Captain Watson or his officers of gross negligence in never having used the reel or patent-log during the voyage, as above stated. The sentence of- the ‘Court is.

I peuded for the term of nine months from the present date ; that the certificates of George Archibald Johnson and Alexander Oalmau be suspended for six months from the present date ; and that the district constable be instructed to take proceedings against Alexander Caiman, William Morrison, and Edwin Tregillus, for perjury. Given under our hands this third day of April, 1877, at Matarakau, iu the district of Chatham Islands, colony of New Zealand. Samuel Deighton, J.P. and R.M. Edwaed Reginald Ohudleigh, J.P. Ho el Thokntiiwaiie Pattison, J.P. OPINION OF NAUTICAL ASSESSOE. I, Robert Morgan, nautical assessor on tho enquiry into the loss of tho iron ship Ocean Mail, concur in the above report concerning the loss of tho said vessel. Rodekt Moeoan, Nautical Assessor. Note. —lmray and Smith’s Charts—On examination of the two charts by the Nautical Assessor, Mr. Morgan, it was found that there was a variation of 13 miles between them, the position of the Chatham Islands, taking the northernmost portion of the islands, being 13 miles to the eastward, as laid down in Imray’s chart, and one mile different in the latitude further north than Imray’s. Smith’s chart has been used by all traders to Chatham Islands for five years past. Observations were made by Mr. Dennys, navigating lieutenant of H.M.S. Sapphire, which proved that the island was about twelve miles wrong by the chart on hoard tho Sapphire, and that Mr. Smith’s chart, as referred to above, was quite correct. The document now lies iu tho R. M. Court, Waitangi.—S. Deighton, R.M. Certified copy of document alluded to above : H.M.S. Sapphire, Waitangi, February 16, 1877. Port Hanson, lat. 43deg. 57miu. 24sec. S., long. 176 deg. 32min. 15-ec. W. Determined by A. L. Dennys, Navigating Lieutenant. depositions op witnesses befoee eesident MAGISTUATE OK JUSTICES OP THE PEACE. The examination of John Watson, of George Johnson, of Alexander Caiman, of William Morrison, of Frederick Pattison, of Alfred Tourges, of Richard Cottow, of William Farley, of Robert Baker, of William Quince, of Richard Parker, of James Ball, of Car dea Hulae, of Robert Wright, of James Conway, of Henry Capel, of Walter Durant, of Edwin Tregillus, of John Waterson, of Edward Merrick, of Joseph Sturgess, of Alexander Moss, of John Anderson, and of John Jordan, on oath at a Court of Inquiry, held on and from the 27th March Co the 3rd of April, in the year of onr Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventyseven, at Matarakau, in the colony aforesaid, before the undersigned Resident Magistrate and two of her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the said colony, in the presence and hearing of John Watson, master of the ship hereinafter mentioned, touching the loss of an iron ship called the Ocean Mail (British) of tho port of London, John Watson, master, and belonging to John Patton, jun., and Co., of Throe White Lion Court, London, which sailed from the port of Wellington on the 16th day of March, 1877, hound to Loudon, England, and which investigation is made in obedience to the application of Samuel Leighton, principal officer of the Customs at Waitangi, Chatham Islands, and pursuant to section VII. of the Inquiry into Wrecks Act, 1863.

This deponent, John Watson, being duly sworn, on his oath saith as follows :—I am master of the ship Ocean Mail. I left Wellington on Friday, the 16th March, 1877, steering S.E., with the wind N.W.; Saturday continued the same cloudy weather, got sights ; Sunday the v. Ind shifted to the S.S.E. and S.E. to S., variable winds. Ou Monday tacked to the southward for about nine hours. The wind hauled more southerly, stiff cloudy weather, no sights. Tuesday tho same wind from S. to S.E., still cloudy and no sights. At noon, by dead reckoning on Tuesday, I was in latitude 43dcg. 45min. south, longitude 177 deg. lomin. west. Found I was in the vicinity of the Chatham Islands, and gave strict orders to keep a good look-out for( land, and took the officers down and showed them the position on tho chart by dead reckoning. During the day the wind freshened up S.S.E. variable, took in all small sails and fore and mizzen topgallantsails at noon ; set in rain about five in the evening, thick cloudy weather, the wind freshening up to a gale. At 8 .o’clock gave the officers strict orders to keep a strict look out for land ; between 8 and 12 took iu everything but the three lower topsails, foresail, and forstopmast staysail. Wo blow away the outer jib in hauling it down. At two o’clock hauled the foresail up. Nothing occurred until half-past throe, when the third mate came to my stateroom and reported land right ahead, blowing hard, heavy rain. I immediately went on deck. On looking at the land I thought it was a squall rising'. Found myself in smooth water. I backed the faroyard and tried to wear tho ship round to the northward. Finding the ship would not go, and seeing a reef ahead, with the sea breaking over it, I set all sail and tried to go to leeward of them ; hut immediately after that she struck. During this time I had tho lead linos out, the mate and third mate taking soundings round tho vessel. Sounded three fathoms of water. Ordered carpenter to attend pumps and report, and tho saihnakcr to see and got tho boats all adrift. At 10 a.m. sent tho first boat ashore with passengers and as much stores as she could carry. But other two boats out, and kept them going throughout the day. At same time, 10 a.m., sounded the pump and found fifteen feet water - . On finding that quantity of water I saw there was no iiopo of saving the ship ; neither would it have been safe for anyone to remain on hoard. I sent boat sails with boats for accommodation of crew and passengers through surf. Wo struck about half-past five a.m. I landed at 6 p.m. on Wednesday (same day), everyone being lauded in safety. Thursday, 22nd—Surf too heavy. Could not go off to tho ship. Friday, 23rd —Sent a boat off and got a few stores. Could do no good ; surf breaking over the ship. Saturday, 24th—Called a survey on ship. Managed to get off. Ship pronounced by surveyors to be a total wreck, and strongly advised to be sold for benefit of all concerned. At the same time with ray crow tried [to commence strippmg, but found it useless, as we could not land tho sailr, spars, or gear through the surf. Sunday, 25th—Surf too heavy ; could not got off to the ship. Monday, 20th—Sold ship aud cargo separately, handing crow over to the Resident Magistrate.

By the Nautical Assessor : I had the load going before the ship struck. I found throe and a half fathoms. I hacked the foreyard to turn the ship round to the ’northward to put her out to sea. In wearing off she drifted down ou the reef. My chart is one of Imray and Sons of 1875. X had no sheet chart of tire island. (Chart produced in Court.) By the Court : Tho log was used every two hours. Tho patent log was used when the thick weather commenced. The last observation wo were enabled to take was ou Saturday, tho 17th. By my own judgment, and by the dead reckoning, I supposed myself to bo about twenty miles to the northward of tho Chatham Islands at the time wo struck.

George Archibald Johnson, being duly sworn, said: I am chief mate of tho ship Ocean Mail. (Certitloato produced.) Wo sailed from Wellington on Friday, tho 16th March. Wind light from N.W.; line weather. Took departure from Pencarrow lighthouse on Saturday, 17th ; light winds that day, nearly calm at night, Sunday, 18th, wind light from N.W., averaging about five knots. At 6 a.m, a change of wind to S. by E.; at 9 a.m. it hauled round to S.S.E.; from that time wo had southerly winds till tho time wo struck. Tuesday, 20th, cloudy weather, wind moderate from S.S.E. wjth light rain. At 7 p.m. on Tuesday took in royals, skysail, and Hying jib; wind still S.S.E. Midnight, moderate breeze with cloudy weather. At 6 a.m. set all sail; at 10 a.m. took in royals, skysail, fore and mizzen topgallant sails. No sights • that day ; weather cloudy. 21st, moderate light winds from tho southward, accompanied with heavy rain. 11 p.m., caught aback by tho leo wind hauling suddenly to S.E.; brought ship again on tho starboard tack, and took in mizzen topgallant sail ; hauled up crossjack. Wind freshening to a gale. Called all hands ; furled fore and main topgallant sails and mainsail; very thick

reported having seen a vessel bottom upwards. At 2 a.m. wind S.W.; called all hands up ; furled fore, main, and mizzen upper topsails and crossjack ; hauled the foresail up in the gear and the outer jib down ; blowing a heavy gale, accompanied with heavy rain and thick weather. 3.30 a.m., second mate’s watch, man on look-out drew third officer’s attention to what appeared to be a squall rising, when tho order was given to put the helm up. The captain, myself, and all hands were called to back the yards, finding the ship in smooth water, and close to land. The ship did not go astern, so Captain Watson ordered head yards to he filled, to try aud pass between tho land and reef on her lee. Five minutes afterwards she struck heavily, and after forging ahead she became embedded on solid rooks, the continuation of tho reef between Matarakau and Taupoka Points, Chatham Islands. Sounded pumps aud found sft. water in the hold. Lowered lifeboat. Third officer, Mr. Morrison, landed passengers and some few articles of luggage aud stores. Got out two moie boats, and commenced landing stores, effects, &c., all day, till the surf became so heavy could not go off again. Thursday, 22ud—Surf teo heavy to allow boats to go off ; tried, and the sea threw an A.B. overboard, who narrowly escaped drowning. Friday, 23rd—Got one boat on board, but saved notlmig but a few stores. Captain Watson living at Mr. Ritchie’s (Kangaroa). Saturday, 24th—Second officer went off to wreck, and brought some moveables on shore. 3 p.m., Captain, Mrs. Akerly, Mr. Jacobs (surveyor), second mate, aud myself, and four of the crow reached the ship; made a survey; unbent fore-topraast-staysail and foresail ; brought tho former aud about fifty fathoms 4i- rope on shore; sea and surf getting up very fast; difficulty in getting through the surf. Sunday—Wind S.W., heavy surf rolling on the beach. Monday, 2Sth—Sale of wreck. Crew handed over to Mr. Deighton, Resident Magistrate, having declared crew off payment of wages.

By Nautical Assessor: Close to 4 a.m., when I was called on deck, I saw something like a white mark which I took to be a squall rising. I went below on the night of the 21st at shortly after midnight; there was a heavy sea on at the time. Court adjourned till 10 a.m. March 28. Wednesday, March 28. £ lexander Caiman, being duly sworn, stated; I am second mate of the ship Ocean Mail. (Certificate produced.) I have been second mate of the skip Ocean Mail seven months. We left Wellington on the 10th March (Friday). We had a fair wind from Wellington, the wind N.W. by N. Same wind next day (Saturday). The wind then hauled round to tho S.E.. not very steady, varying five or six points. Su:id..y, the same. Monday, the wind still ahead. Tuesday, X think we tacked, wind S.E. She began to edge up to her course from 3 to 4 a.m. cuuu- U.S.E. by the wheel compass, and S.E. by the standard compass. From 12 to 4 a.m. night of the wreck it was my watch on deck. It was blowing hard, with heavy rain. Wo had three lower topsails and fore-topmast-staysail set. I did not take particular notice whether the water was rough or not, as I was busy taking in sail. We took in the upper topsails about 2 a.m. I did not report the freshening of the wind to any of the superior officers, having previously called Mr, Johnson about 2 a.m. There were eight hands in my watch and threo boys. Just before the bell struck 4 a.m. land was reported in sight by tho third officer, who was in my watch. I immediately put tho helm hard up, and backed the foreyard; the wind was at this time off the land. I did this with the object of wearing the ship. The ship having way on her, I thought it more advisable to put the holm hard up, as I did not think we had room to go about on the other tack ; upon putting up the helm and tho yard back, I told the third mate to call the captain, who came on deck directly. He immediately set sail. The ship struck directly I had backed the foreyard; she paid off after I backed the foreyard, and moved a little; she moved further out when the sails were set and began to draw, and finally settled on tho rocks, where she now lies. We did not see any break on the reef till daylight. I saw the tops of tho rocks occasionally at daylight.. The captain still tried to force her over the rocks by setting all the sail he could. The pumps were sounded, but no water at first ; about an hour after she struck the first report I heard was two or three inches. I did nob hear much after this, as I was too busy working. Finding we could do nothing with the ship, wc cleared the boats away ; we lauded three, namely, two lifeboats and a square-sterned boat. We landed luggage for the most part, and provisions. By the Court : I can only account for our being so much out of our course by having had only dead reckoning to depend upon, not having been able to take any sights since the day after we left Wellington. The captain showed mo our position on the chart the night before wc struck. I do not remember the latitude and longtitude at that time. We had a patent log on board and a reel log on board. Wc hove the reel log every two hours. Tho patent log was over about G or 7 p.m. the evening before we struck, We struck at 4 o’clock tho following morning. The weather was generally cloudy during the trip from Wellington. By Nautical Assessor : I did not notice the water getting smooth from 2 to 4 a.in. I was so busy taking in sail. The captain was on dock frequently during my watch. When we saw the land we hove tho lead. Just before we struck we found three and a half fathoms, I gave tho order to heave tho lead. It was five or six minutes after Laud was reported in sight that we struck. The night was very dark and thick. It is the duty of the officer of the watch to heave tho log, which was done, as a rale, every three hours during the trip from Wellington. It is customary only during thick weather, or when the ship is supposed to be near land, to keep the 2>atcut log overboard. I have never been iu a vessel where the patent log is continually kept out. When tho ship is supposed to be near land it is customary to keep the patent log out, as it is supposed to be more correct than the real log. I have been in a steamboat where the log was continually kept out. ■ The captain gave orders to launch tho boats. The captain remained on board t 1 evening on the day we struck. We struck at 4 a.m. The captain landed at about G p.m. I was getting the provisions and things on shore during the day. I was iu tho captain’s cabin during the day ; he was sober, as far as I know. After he lauded I saw him; ho was sober as far as I know. He was iu a very excited state about tho ship. I hove the log every two hours during my watch on deck during tho trip from Wellington by orders received from tho captain ; but I might have missed doing so occasionally. When the log was not thrown the distances were inserted from judgment.

Alexander Caiman,onhisformcr oath, stated: I know who held the log-reel when I hove it ou Tuesday’s midnight watch ; Trcgiilus, tho third mate, hold tho glass. It was about 2or after 2 a.m. that I hove the log. Tho log-reel was kept in jits beckets on the poop rail on tho port side. There was only one reel kept on tho poop. I have not seen tho log-reel in the lazaretto.

Gcorgo Archibald Johnson, being examined by tho Court ou his former oath, stated : The reel-log was not hovo during tho trip from WeUington in my watch. I was getting it ready to hcavo ou olio occasion, but I was called away. I generally went below, consequently I do not know how often it was thrown by any other oflicer. I could rely ou Jwhat rate she was going at by looking over the side, which I found was pretty correct from tho first sight I had. Unless we got orders to the contrary, being busy trimming sails, &0., it was obtional ou our parts as mates of tho vessel to hcavo the log or not. I dont remember seeing tho patent log hove at any time. Thera was only one patent log ou board. Only one sight was taken between Wellington to tho Chatham Islands. Tho day after wo loft Wellington the captain went on board the Avalanche to arrange about dipping the flags to compare the chronometers. In my _ log-book the rate of tho ship as mentioned in tho book is copied from the log-slate at noon every day. As far as my own watches were concerned tho rates woro entered according to mv iudg-

the water. I received no orders from the captain respecting the [leaving the log,; it was loft entirely to my own discretion. I could not say what the captain was doing at the time of 4 a.m. and 6 p.ra. on the day we struck, being busy myself at the boats to and from the ship. I saw the captain each time I wont olf. Tiie captain was not sober when he landed. I could not swear that, he was sober when I saw him on board. I think I gave the ordex'3 for lowering the boats in the first instance, after having received orders from the captain. As far as I coidd see, the capta 5 1 Was sober at the time.

George A. Johnson, on his former oath, stated: When I was speaking about getting the log re-measured in Wellington the second mate told me that the captain did not believe in heaving the log. To my knowledge, the reel was never used during the trip from Wellington. I never saw the log-reel during the trip.

William Morrion, being duly sworn, stated: lam third mate of the Ocean Mail. Wo left Wellington a week last Friday, hound for London. Friday—Fine weather, wind aft till G p.m,; first mate’s watch on deck, canted the yards; about 8 at night wind fell light ; squai’ed yards, and ran all night with a light breeze. Following day, Saturday, the breeze freshened ; came up to the ship Avalanche about 11 a.m.; captain went on board ; left her at 4 p.m.; ran with same breeze all that night. AVe got sights on Saturday. G a.m. ou Sunday the wind hauled round to S.S.F.; ship Avalanche on our lee bow ; wind stood that day ; Avalanche wont to windward of us. Monday saw Avalanche from maintop. AVe tacked ship for a few hours ou Monday, standing about S.AV., our proper course being S.E. coming from Wellington Heads. Tuesday—wind in same quarter, ships’ head lying E. by N. A N. ; stood on all that day ; shortened sail on Tuesday night, wind from about S.S.E. AVe were called out at about 11 o’clock p.m. to stow the mainsail and fore and maiutopgallantsails ; 12 o’clock wc got finished ; my watch then came along with the second mate till 4 a.m. The man at the look-out came to me about ten minutes to 4 a.m., and pointed out what appeared a black cloud to windward, and asked what it was. I went on the spars, and looked over the rail, and knew what it was at once, as I was aware tiiat land was close Co us, because I was told to pass the word along to keep a good look-out for land. I was told to do so by Mr. Caiman, second mate. As soon as I saw it I ran aft to the poop and asked Mr. Caiman it he saw the land. I sang out to put the helm up; but I saw it was already being clone by Mr. Caiman. The order was given to back the head yards by the second mate. AVe could not get the ship to pay off without backing the foreyard, as we had tried to do the evening before, in order to get the jib off her. AVe wore not aware that anything was to leeward of us, as we could see nothing. AVhen tho foreyard was being backed I went below to call the captain, who was getting up; he had his trousers on. AVhaii be came on deck he gave orders to set all head sail, the jibs, and told me to take the lead and take a cast. I did so, and found four fathoms water. AVe then saw breakers to leeward, and backed all sail to make a stern board. By this time she was shoaling her water; we could not get any stern way ou her. She touched forward lightly at about half-past forv a.m. The captain told me to take the lead again. I went round and got 19ft. The ship draws ICft. Sin. aft and 15ft. forward. There was about 4ft. of a ground swell at the fame. It was sma l ! shells where we first got soundings. We could see no rocks at this time ; but could see the breakers to leeward of r-. AVe put on a 1! sail to try and get her through, but we finally stuck fast on the rooks; we also tried to back her off. The captain ordered the carpenter to take soundings, who reported no water. About 7 a.m. she commenced to take in water rapidly; about S a.m. there was Sft. of water in her. After this the captain clewed everything up, and gave me orders to see the lifeboats clear of the davits, put provisions in, and a small quantity of the pa sengers’ luggage, and tho chronometers, I landed the three passengers and the steward, and went off to the ship and took Mr. Pattison (a settler) off. AATien I got hack they were getting all the luggage ready for the boats. I was backwards and forwards all that day with the boats. The captain was on board, part of the time on the poop and part of the time in the cabin; that is, during the time I saw him. A\nen we left her the last time the water had burst into the captain’s cabin kneedeep. The captain camebn shore in tho last boat, the one that I had charge of, a lifeboat, at about 6or 7 p.m.; it was getting dusk. The captain was sober so far as I am aware. Frederick Pattison, being duly sworn, stated; I am boatswain of the Oceau Mail. At about 8 p.m. on 21st (nautical time) it was very dark and rainy ; v. ind variable. AVe wore caught aback twice, not blowing very heavily at the time. Mr. J ohnson was officer of tho watch. I asked him if he was going to shorten sail ? He said, “No ; I must not.” X said, “ AVhy ?” He said because he was not allowed. I said, “ Mark me, you will bo in a mess.” Half an hour after it blew very hard. He shortened sail then, taking in tho topgallant sails, and that took us some time. Before it was finished all hquds were called. Some time before twelve midnight hauled the mainsail up and stowed it. I was aloft, and oue of the men saw what he thought was a ship bottom upwards. I came' down and told the mate what the man said. After that it was my watch below. I did not go below till about throe o’clock. About an hour afterwards we were called out again. One of tho men camo out, and said, “ Come on, men, wo arc ou a lee shore.” I wont on tho forecastle aud saw laud ahead and breakers ou our lee. I stopped there until tho ship struck. I sung out, “ Tho ship has struck.” Everyone was confused. I could not hear whether there was any answer or not. AA r c tried to get the ship off, but could not. AVe hoisted sail to force her ahead, but could do nothing. After daylight wo got boats out, and tho people began to leave the ship ; continued at it all day. I saw tho mate—l think it was tho chief mate —heave tho log several times ; at least, what I supposed to be tho log. I came on shore the last boat but one. I saw the patent log passed into the boat. From the appearance of tho log I should think it had been in tho water that day. I saw the captain the whole of tho day of landing on the poop and in his cabin. The captain had been drinking, but knew wbat ho was doing, aud gave his orders distinctly. His orders were, to tho best of my opinion, correct. The last order was to lower tho fore and main topsail aud let go the foresheot, Alfred) Tourges, being duly sworn, stated : lam carpenter of tho ship Ocean Mail. 1 was called about 3 a.m. Wednesday last, but I don’t know exactly the time that I was required ou dock, land being reported in sight. I saw the men backing the foreyard to pay her off to keep off tho land. After wo tried to back tho foreyard, we tried to hack the aftersails. Finding no good to bo done by backing, wo filled all sails aud tried to get ahead. She shot ahead a bit, and wo saw breakers ou our lec. AA r o felt her fast grazing the bottom. I was during this time sounding tho pumps; she was making no water. AVe put more sail ou tho ship, finding she was not striking heavily. I went forward, looking over the hows, and found she was lifted up about 2£t. above her draught. I thou ran aft, at tho captain’s orders, to sound the pumps ; found only 9in. of water, the same as she had through the voyage. Upon the tide rising the ship shot ahead, and a lock got under her leo bow, and from there under her bilge. She then commenced striking heavily. I found, ou sounding the pumps, about 12in. of water; this was about three-quarters of an hour after she struck, which was about day dawn. At daylight wc had orders to launch the boats. Got the passengers into the boats. During the day wo lauded what goods we could from the ship. Tho captain was on deck superintending the boats. Tho captain was sober. I could perfectly understand his orders. Richard Cottsw, being duly sworn, stated ; I was a saloon passenger from AVollington by tho ship Ocean Mail. On Tuesday previous to the wreck heard tho captain say the barometer had fallen five-tenths, aud that wo were near the Chatham Islands, but that he did not expect wc should sight them. As well as I can remember, it commenced to blow heavily duties’ tho first watch-. «*"•<>

continued to blow with increased violence, and I heard alHiands called again to shorten sail. About 3.40 the second officer (I cannot say which for certain) came past my cabin. I heard him say, “AVe are close ou the land.” The captain followed him, partly dressed, and went ou deck. I immediately rushed up. It was very dark ; but after I had been a minute onjdeck I saw land close to us and rocks on our lee bow, about 10 or 12 yards off, with the sea breaking over them. There were also rocks a little astern, which I did not see until afterdaylight, which wo must have passed. The captain gave a great many orders ■ before one order could ho effected another came The captain appeared very excited, calling out continually. X heard the ship graze very lightly at first; then she he»an to shake at intervals more violently. This continued forucarly an hour, till near daylight. The chief officer reported a rock under her lee bow, with only about fourteen feet of water forward. After that he ordered the boat to bo lowered, and the cabin passengers, consisting of myself, Miss Harrison, and Mr. Nathan, were assisted in. I saw no more of the captain at that time, T enquired, and they said ho was in his cabin. The third mate refused to let me take any of my papers iu the boat, having orders to take nothing hut the captain’s things. X enquired for the captain, aud was told that ho was lying in his cabin. AVe left the ship, and when near tho shore saw Mr. Pattison, who pointed out to ns the best place to laud. I did not see the captain again till the afternoon, X saw him ou shore, two men were assisting him to walk to the cart, oue had hold of each arm. I think tho cook was one, and X think the second mate was the other. The captain and I went after this in a cart to tho settlement. He was playing with his dog, and appeared i» an excitable and silly state. It may have been partly from excitement on account of the vessel; hut it appeared to me to be caused partly bv drink. I wes frequently ou deck during the trip from AVollington. I never saw the log thrown during the trip. I never heard it when I was iu the cabin. I thought it uncommon, ospacially when they had to work so much from dead reckoning. If the log lead been hove every two hours I must have seen it, as I was frequently on deck. I never saw the patent log on hoard the ship at all, I saw it afterwards when it was landed. I cannot positively swear whether I saw it first when the ship struck, or on shore; but I never saw it on the trip. I wish to remark ou the behavior of the captain after the vessel struck. He was called from his cabin when the ship was among tho rocks, aud alter giving many contradictory orders fur about three-quarters of an hours, ho went below before a boat was lowered or any. precautions taken to save the lives of the passengers, one of whom was a female; and X saw him no more till I saw him lying on the ground at the camp. He was then led to tho cart by two men, as I stated above.

AVilliam Farley, being duly sworn, stated:— I am ship’s boy ou,hoard the Ocean Mail. I was in the second mate’s watch. I joined tho ship ill A\ r ellington. Fuever saw the log hove during the trip from AA’ellington to the Chatham Islands. I have been to sea before this trip. I came out in the Fernglen ; the log was often thrown. I used to hold tho reel occasiona”y.

Robert Baker, A.B. on board the Ocean Mail, being duly sworn, stated : I used to take my turn nfc the wheel the same as other men. I was iu the chief mate’s watch. I never saw the log hove during the passage from AA rellington to this place. Had the log been hove during my trick at the wheel I could not have failed to see it.

AVilliam Quince, A.B. ou board the Oceau Alai!, being duly sworn, stated ; I have taken my trick at the wheel the same as the other seamen. I never saw the log hove during tho passage from AVelliagton. I must have seen the log hove when I was doing my turn, at the wheel if it had been hove.

Richard Parker, A.B. ou hoard the Ocean Mail, being duly sworn, stated : I was in the second mate s watch. I have never seen any log of any description hove since I left Wellington.

James Ball, A. 8., being .duly sworn, stated : I never saw a log-reel on hoard the ship Oceau Mail during the trip from AArellington. I never saw the log hove during the passage. Charles Huise, A. 8., being duly sworn, stated ; I was in tho second mate’s watch. X joined in AVellingtou. I never saw the log hove during the trip from AArellington to the Chatham Islands. I clou’t think I ever saw tho log-reel on board. I never saw the patent log.

Robert AVright, carpenter’s mate on hoard tho Oceau Mail, being duly sworn, stated : I never saw the log hove during the trip from AArellington to the Chatham Islands. I never saw the log-reel. I have seen the patent log, but whether on board or on shore I cannot say. I came ou shore about noon on the day we were wrecked, I saw the captain on deck iu the morning aud in his cabin ; he was lying, down on the lockers iu his cabin, and appeared unable to rouse himself ; but whether from drink or other causes I cannot say. I did not see him drink anything. I saw him later iu the day after lauding, and ha appeared unable to walk ; it appeared to bo from tho effects of liquor. I think tho first and second mates were loading him, but I do not know for certain. Thursday, Mauch 29. James Conway, being duly Sworn, stated : I am a boy on board the Ocean Mail. I was in the second mate’s watch. I never saw the log hove during tho trip to tho Chatham Islands from AVollington. I never saw a ship’s logrcci on board. I have seen a small reel which was used for catching birds with. Henry Cupel, being duly sworn, stated : I was rated as ship’s boy on board the Ocean Mail. I veas in the second mate’s watch. I never saw tho log hove during tho passage from AA r ellington to this place. I have seen a log-reel on board ship ; I saw it iu the hvz-r----ette ; it was lying up in the wing. I never saw tho patent log hove during tho passage. I have seen tho patent log on board. I saw it once iu the lamp-room. AValter Durant, being duly sworn, stated : I am an apprentice, bound to Batten and Co. for three years. I have served since last August. I came out from England in the Ocean Mail. I have seen a log-reel on board the Ocean Mail. I have never seen it hove during the trip from New Zealand to the Chatham Islands. I have seen it hove several times from England to New Zealand. It is part of my duty, as apprentice, to hold tho reel when it is hove, that is, when it is hove in the mate’s watch, to which I belong. I belonged to the first mate’s watch. I never saw tho patent log hove during the trip fronj Wellington to the Chatham Islands.

Edwin Trogillns, being (inly sworn, stated : I am apprentice on board the Ocean Mail, bound to Fatten and Co. for the term of four years. I have served seven months. X camo out from England in the Ocean Mail. I was in the second mate’s watch, I saw the log hove once in tho second mate’s watch ; my watch commenced at midnight, four hours before she struck. It was during that watch that I saw the second mate mate heave the log. I held tho reel, tho third mate held the glass ; it takes three people to heave the log ; the second mate hove tho log. I don't remember who was at tho wheel at this time. Tiie log-reel was kept on tho poop. The logrecl that I held tho night before the ship was wrecked is tho same one that I hold as I stated. I don't know where the glass was kept. This is tho only time I over saw the log hove during tho trip from AA'olHngtou. Alexander Caiman, on his 'former oath, stated, in answer to a question by the Court, that he had thrown the log with tho third mate without the assistance of the boys. He proceeded: The patent-log was kept iu its box in the first mate’s room. I took it from thouco when I hove it, as stated before; it was about 7 o’clock as near as possible on the evening before tho wreck. It was my watch. It was_ put over tho stern of the ship ou tho port side. Tho captain’s cabin is ou the port side. I took it up about 5 a.m., after the ship struck. I laid it on tho deck and went away to work at tho vessel; tho lino was attached to the log. I did not cut the line, but. just left it lying on tho dock. 1 had no more to do with it, and have seen it since on shore

p.m. I did not report heaving the log to the ° h Joh°fwaterson, being duly sworn, stated : I anl an A.B. I shipped on board the Ocean Mail, bound foi London I was in the second mates watch on luesday (the night before the Ocean Mad was wrecked) from twelve midnight to four a.m. At halfpast twelve I took tho wheel. 1 did not see the log hove during that time. I was about three hours and a half at tho wheel. I was relieved by Parker. It was not possible for the log to have been hove without my seeing it. I don’t know whore the logwaskept. Ontbetrip from Wellington it was not kept on the poop. There was a fishing-line kept on the poop. It was wound round a reel similar to a log-reel, but much smaller. The reason I was kept so long at tho wheel as three and a half hours was because all hands were busy taking down sails and there was no one at liberty to relieve me. I relieved a man of tho name of Ganzel, who was in the first mate’s watch, but was kept at the wheel longer than the proper time (it might have been twenty minutes or half an hour) on account of all hands being occupied furling the mainsail. Edward Merrick, being duly sworn, stated; lam an A.B. I shipped on board the Ocean Mail, bound from Wellington to London. I remember Tuesday night, the night before tho Ocean Mail was wrecked. X was in the second mate’s watch, I never saw the log thrown during the trip from Wellington. I saw a reel on the poop which I have seen used as a fishing reel. It was about or over a foot long. , A proper log-reel is close on two feet long, I never saw any other reel hut that. I saw a patent log at tho camp, but dont remember seeing it on hoard. William Morrison, on his former oath, stated : We shortened sail during the watch from 12 to 4 a.m. on the night of the wreck. The mainsail was furled from 11 to 12. At a quarter past three we had finished working at the sails, commencing perhaps from 1 a.m. Wo were at work after at the braces until about twenty minutes to 4. I was on the poop several times taking orders from Mr. Caiman. I was on tho quarterdeck about ten minutes, namely from twenty minutes to 4 till ton minutes to 4. I was on the poop heaving the log about 1 a.m. on the night of tho wreck, as near as possible, with Mr. Caiman, and I think Tregillus. The glass was sometimes kept in my own or Mr. Caiman’s desk, and sometimes on the poop. I hove the log myself frequently during the trip, sometimes by myself, having the log-line in tho beckets, and holding tho glass in my hand. I have been assisted several times by tho hoys—sometimes one and sometimes another. More frequently I hove it by myself, when the boys were forward at work. Taking the general run, it was thrown oftener at night than at day, providing it was thick. Edwin Tregillus, being recalled, on his former oath, stated ; What I stated before is not the truth. I did not hold the reel as I stated. I saw the log-line on the poop. I did not see anyone heave tho log. My reason for making a false oath was to try to make the second mate’s statement correct. I heard his statement from the third mate. He told me of it outside this morning on the road coming down from Lake House. X told the falsehood myself, without being asked by the third mate to do so. I did not tell the third mate I was going to do so. Robert Wright, being recalled and examined on his former oath, stated : I was on deck as soon as tho hands were called, shortly after 4 a.m., when the ship struck. The captain was on deck at the time; ho had on his nightshirt and trousers. He gave all the orders himself. His orders followed each other very quickly, each oue apparently countermanding tho others. I heard him give orders on one occasion to get the boats out; hut before this order could bo carried out another order was given. The starboard quarter boat was in course of preparation during the time tho latter portion of the orders were being given about tho sails. Before that boat loft the ship tho captain went below, and I did not see him again until I saw him on his locker in his cabin later on in the day, I think between eleven and twelve. Tho passengers went on shore in the first boat that was sent.

George Archibald Johnson, being recalled, on his former oath, stated : I could not swear that the captain was aware whether the log was hove during ray watches on deck; but I think he must have known, as he was frequently on deck. I think, as he .was on dock a good deal, he would have missed seeing the log-reel if it were not in its place. The captain was once on deck on tho night of tho wreck between the first two bells, about 0 p.m., and ho told rae to keep a bright look-out, as wo were supposed to bo near tho land by our reckoning. John Waterloo, being recalled, on his foimer oath, stated ; When I was at the wheel, as I stated in my former evidence, the second mate came to me and asked me how she was lying. She was lying E.S.E. He went away, and I saw him no more till I was relieved. The captain was near him, and asked him how the ship was steering. I did not see the captain again until the ship was on shore. I had been about 20 minutes at the wheel when the captain and mate came to me, which would he about 10 minutes to 1. John Watson, being recalled, on his further oath, stated ; The reason I stated the log was used every two hours was that I gave orders to the second officer to that effect. Tho logline and the lead-linos were always supposed to bo under the immediate supervision of the second officer. Tuesday, at 7 o clock, after tho 20th March, I called the second mate down ami gave him orders to put tho patent log into the water. I saw tho log in the water throutdi my stern cabin windows ; I believe it was taken in about Tt a.m., after she struck. I have seen the log-reel in its place cither on one side or tho other, hanging in tho beokets under tho nooprail. I have never personally seen tho log hove during tho trip from Wellington. Saturday, March 31. Joseph Sturgoss, being duly sworn, stated ; I am second steward on board the ship Ocean Mai!. I saw Captain Watson on deck at about 4 o’clock on tile morning of the wreck. He was sober at tho time I saw him. Erom time to time after this till shortly before he went on shore ho was sober the same as he usually was, I was constantly in his cabin, and could have seen what he took. I was backwards and forwards between the captain’s cabin and the saloon ; I was there I suppose till half an hour before the captain went on shore. The captain gave orders for the steward to get provisions into the boats, and I assisted biro in getting them in. At the same time orders were given for no luggage to go in the first boat, but provisions, broad, preserved meat, and a cask of water. There might be other things, but the boat's load consisted principally of provisions. X saw the mate’s bedding put in and thrown out again ; the third officer refused to take it, as there was no luggage permitted to go. Alexander Moss, lining duly sworn, stated; X was ship’s cook on board the Ocean Mail. I saw the captain first at about half-past five on tho morning of tho wreck. He was speaking to the carpenter on tho break of the poop. He told rno to go forward and help toget the fore-top-sail on. After that we set tho main-topgallant-sail. Ordered the outer jib to ho hoisted. The captain was not drunk at the time. I was working on dock at the time. I remained on board the ship until between 5 and 0 p.m. "When we reached the beach tho captain got out first. Tho captain was sober. Then he sat down, and I said “It is no use sitting Imre, let ns go up and see what sort of a place it is up there.” Wo walked up to tho tents, where wo saw the boatswain. I left him, and did not see him till the cart came. He was sitting in the cart with two of the passengers, Messrs. Nathan and Cottew. I got into tho cart with them and went to Matarakau. Wo had tea there at S o’clock. I did not see anyone leading tljo captain. Tho captain was in tho camp about eight minutes before tho cart came. I heard the captain’s orders given distinctly. The captain was sober when ho was in the

\ "William Morrison, being recalled, stated on his former oath: I got orders from the captain ■ to get the first boat stored with provisions and \ water, ship’s ehroiiometers and barometer,

passengers and any small parcels they could carry about them ; chief steward to take charge of the provisions as they landed on the beach. There was nothing except the things I have mentioned put in the boat, except the ship’s signal-book and spyglass. The captain was sober as far as I am aware of when he went up in the cart. The captain was as near as possible half an hour in the camp, at least it was about half an hour between the time I landed him and the time I saw him in the cart. Ho was sober then. I heard no order given hurriedly. I understood every order that was given, and they were obeyed punctually. I saw no ungentlemauly conduct or neglect of duty towards the passengers. Alexander Caiman, being recalled, and examined on his former oath, stated ; I saw no neglect of duty or ungentlemauly conduct towards tho passengers on tho part of tho captain. I understood all the orders given by the captain at the time of the wreck. I considered them necessary orders. I saw the captain in camp at about quarter past 6 p.m. He left mo orders to look after tho stores. The captain was quite sober. I saw him get into the cart. No one assisted him. John Anderson, being duly sworn, stated : I was the sailmaker on hoard the Ocean Mail. I heard tho captain giving orders, I should think about half-past three a.m, on the morning of the wreck. I got orders to get a boat adrift after she had struck. I saw no unkiudness shown towards the passengers. The captain was sober that morning. I came on shore about 10 a.m. in the third boat. Goorgo Archibald Johnson, being recalled, on his former oath, stated: I was in and about my room most of the time during the second dog watch, namely, between 6 and 8 p.m. on the evening before the wreck. The patent log was, I suppose, where it was usually kept, under my hunk, with a lot of miscellaneous goods. I did not seo the second mate take it from my room on any occasion. He was continually coming into my room from time to time. The line I saw was a lead-lino coiled in a tub on tho break of the poop. It was about a quarter past four when I soundings with tho load-line, which had previously been used by the third mate for the same purpose. I did not see any log-lino over the stern when I went there.

Alexander Caiman, on his former oath, stated : I used the proper log line on the occasion I mentioned in my statement. It was kept in the lazarette. It is about thirty fathoms. I used the load-line for sounding, (the hand line-lead), the deep sea lead-line was in a tub on tho poop, I dont know whether it was used or not. The lead-lines were got up when wo sighted land on the morning of tho wreck.

John Israel Jordan, being duly sworn, stated : I was chief steward on board the Ocean Mail. I heard the cry of land. Helped to haul the head braces round. About half an hour afterwards she struck. I went with the crew to haul the braces again. I received orders from Captain Watson to put all the provisions in the lifeboat. I took the compasses, ship’s papers, chronometers (three of them), and cashbox. The captain was sober when I left the ship between S and 9 a.m. John Watson, beiug recalled and examined by the Nautical Assessor on his former oath, stated : The deviation cards I had on board were by the Board of Trade. The ship was swung at Greenhithe by Atkins about the middle of last August twelvemonth, when I had a cargo of iron. They were pretty correct. The ship was not swung the last trip. The ouly reason I can give for the groat deviation of the compasses is on account of the change of cargo. My intention on leaving New Zealand was to go to the northward of the Chatham Islands. I considered that I was twenty miles off the Chatham Islands when I struck. When the wind hauled round, I tried to go to the southward; but it suddenly changed, and I made up my mind to go to the northward. I imagined I was about 120 miles from the Chatham Islands when I made up my mind to go to the northward. My deviation cards were lost at the wreck. I was ten miles off the Chatham Islands at noon on Tuesday, according to my reckoning. I stood on E. by N. half N. true course. The weather was cloudy, but not foggy. By not seeing it at 7 p.m., I concluded I had passed the island to the northward of it, instead of which I was to the westward of my position, I kept the ship under easy sail two hours before she struck ; .ship head reaching, going about E. by N. half N. ADDITIONAL STATEMENT BY CAPTAIN WATSON. The following is a statement made by Captain Watson (not upon oath) in the Court of Inquiry, after the verdict was announced : Since leaving Wellington on this voyage I had no chance of correcting my compasses for deviation ; also no way of finding out my true posstion at sea, having experienced nothing but cloudy weather and very variable winds. I had two officers keeping watch together and good look-outs from the forecastle-head for the safety of the ship at the time of the accident. I am accused of neglect of duty, my only accusers being one passenger who is a clerk, and another clerk working his passage Home. The evidence I have heard in the Court by men conversant with the work of the ship by their evidence states that I conducted my work in a proper and searaanlike manner. In Mr. Cottew’s evidence he distinctly states that he was wide awake when the second officer came into my cabin to call me, that land was ahead, and that I immediately went out half dressed. If he was awake he must have known that I was dressed as usual whenever I wont on deck at night, which ho must have seen mo do many times during the voyage if, as he states, ho v, :m constantly awake at night and his cabin door open. Ho accuses mo of inattention to passengers at the time of the accident by not taking his clothes on shore in the first boat, stating plainly that I had given orders that nothing but my personal luggage was to go ; whereas the order was for nothing but provisions, passengers, and articles necessary for their lives and safety of the ship. X wish distinctly to state that not any of my personal effects went in the first boot, but allowed him and the female passenger to take what personal luggage they could conveniently carry. It seems very strange that two men out of a ship’s company of thirty-four men, and they not conversant with the working of the ship, should condemn me about giving orders under the dangerous and trying circumstances, knowing and seeing that ray orders wore executed in a quick and orderly manner by both officers and crew, as is shown by their evidence before given ; consequently it appears that Eobert Wright did not do anything beyond listening to my orders, without occupying himself about ship’s work as he should have done. Mr. Oottcw and Eobert Wright seem to forget that I had thirty-throe men, divided into gangs as required, with officers, to conduct the work. Those required distinct orders for each gang, and as I issued my orders rn-pidly from one to the other, they would naturally appear confused to a landsman. Mr. G'ottew further states I was carried or led to the cart by two men. The evidence proves that also to bn incorrect. He also states that X was quite silly on landing from the effects of drink, which again the evidence contradicts. Mr. Cottow further states that I came on shore about 4 o’clock p.m., and was lying under a tree for an hour, whereas the evidence goes to prove that I did not land until 0 p.m., and was not in Mr. Cottcw’s sight above ten minutes. Mr. Cottew also states that ho has seen less of mo op deck than any other captain. Not knowing how many ho has been with, I have brought proof that I was on dock no loss than five times during the night in question, and under the circumstances of my bodily illness, having been suffering for months past, and under the doctor's attendance in Wellington, suffering groat weakness from loss of blood, I was utterly prostrated, and scarcely able to walk. It seems very strange to me, ns Mr. Cottew in his evidence affirms that the second officer came in to call me, that ho did not know the difference between the second and third officer, it being the latter who called me ; and they were not, as he stated, both clothed in waterproofs.