THE PRETTY JANE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 246, 10 February 1875, Page 2

THE PRETTY JANE.

It is our painful duty to confirm the few particulars we were enabled to lay before our readers on Saturday last relative to the stranding of the A.S.P. Co.’s Pretty Jane, at the mouth of the Big River on Thursday last. Those particulars were substantially correct, and there are few to be added to them. On Sunday last a large number of persons visited the scene, for the double purpose of satisfying themselves as to the real extent of the damage sustained, and to sympathise with Captain Fernandez, whose absence from the steamer at the time of the accident is attempted to be made very much of, and to his detriment. On this particular point we may have more to say as circumstances evolve. It appears that the immediate cause of the accident arose from the imperfect information given to the pilot by the two Maoris —resident at Pakirikiri, and supposed to know the bar well—who were selected to give channel directions ; that they failed in enabling Captain Kennedy to keep the Jane in deep water is evident from the fact of his having to let go the starboard anchor so as to let her get over the shoal into deep water —a very simple and common method adopted in bar harbors. Another, possibly a more remote cause, was, that no indication existed, as the whereabouts of the anchor, after the vessel swung, and Captain Kennedy fearing that she might foul, set, as we understand him, the port engine going, so as to clear her as she was drifting beyond the control of her helm. Be the causes what they may, it is not for us to determine; there will, doubtless, be a judicial enquiry into the matter, and we shall be glad to learn that the accident was unavoidable.

By the Southern Cross Mr. Lodder, the Company’s manager, arrived from Auckland on Monday, bringing with him some hands to take such measures as might be cor'idered necessary. An inspection was held during the day, and we are at liberty to state that there is every hope of’ the steamer being got off. The prime difficulty is the presence of 5 feet of water in the hold, and the fluke of the anchor, still protruding inwards, offering a formidable obstruction to successful operations. Mr. Lodder, however, is sanguine of success, and is now setting to work with a will, with the object of getting her into deep water with a sufficient barrier against her filling again after being pumped. It is merely a question of time and appliances, as the position in which she lies is perfectly. free from any sea likely to hurt her. At the time of our visit’the “ wreck ashore ” bore evidence of the discomfiture every one had to endure. Every thing portable except the cargo had been moved to the beach, where tarpaulins were erected to house the commissariat and other culinary supplies. All hands seemed to accept the position with true sailor’s philosophy, except the poor old “ skipper,” who appeared very “ down in the mouth,” so much so that we cared not to ask him to repeat the story of his woe. We, therefore, left him alone in so much of his “ glory,” as a man can extract from witnessing the disastrous result of which he is the innocent victim.

The insured cargo has been sold; 211 bags grass seed—or rather the bags — fetching £23 ; and 12 bales wool yesterday, the price of which had not transpired. The damage is well covered by insurance.