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STRANDING OF THE RIO GRANDE.

An enquiry into the stranding of the brig Rio Grande was held this morning, before the Collector of Customs, at his office. James McGowan deposed—l am mate of the brig Rio Grande, of Newcastle, 200 tonnage. The ship sailed from Newcastle on the 22nd March, and arrived here on the 9th April. The pilot boarded the brig after we had let go the anchor. We were in five fathoms of water. The pilot gave orders that we should move the ship, as we were in shallow water. She was moved by the pilot, on the 18th, into six and a-half fathoms, when we anchored with 40 fathoms of cable on the bower anchor. On the 20th April, it came on to blow from the Eastward and South-East, and we veered cable to 70 fathoms. There was a heavy sea from the South, and the ship rode well, and did not drag. On the 22nd April the weather moderated, and the lighter came alongside in the evening, and took some coal. On the 23rd there was a heavy sea from the South, the ship being broadside on to the sea, and rolling heavily. We paid out the whole of the starboard cable. On Saturday, the 26th, the weather moderated, and a lighter came alongside again. The weather was then fine. On the 30th of April, at two a.m., the wind was from the west, with no sea. Lighter alongside at 4.30 a.m. The watchman ran aft and called out that the cable had parted. I immediately went on deck without dressing myself. I found the lighter leaving the ship, and Kennedy, who was in charge of the lighter, called out to me that the chain had parted. I then ran forward and let go the second anchor with 70 fathoms of cable. Hove the lead, and found two and a half fathoms of water at her stern. I could not give the ship any more chain because she would have struck. When I came on deck I found that the wind was from the south, light, and very little sea. At 5.30 the wind and sea increased from the south. At 6.30 the Rosina came out with the pilot, who called out and said that he could not do anything for the ship at that time, but if the weather moderated he would come out again at night with the steamer. At 2.30 the ship began to touch at the stern. When we found the vessel was striking we hove in from seven to eight fathoms of cable, this prevented her from touching till four p.m. At that time we signalled to the pilot, and he signalled back to be all ready for slipping the cable a id if the weather moderated he would come oil Between four and live o’clock the ship began to strike heavily aft. The chain was unshipped and the rudder unshipped to let the ship drive on to the beach. That was done for the safety of the ship and crew. At nine p.m. the ship heeled over to port and remained so, the sea making a clean breach over her. The sea washed into the cabin and the hold. We had to remain on deck all night. On the Ist of May, the tide being low, I went into the cabin, and found that everything had been destroyed—the coal, sails, and stores washing about the cabin. At seven the pilot boat came alongside and took us from the ship.

By the Collector—Five minutes must have elapsed from the time I found the ship had parted her cable, until the other anchor was let go. I cannot account for the chain parting. We had no spring on it. After riding out the previous gale the chain was hove in and looked at, and found to be perfectly safe. The size of it was 1 ; J inches. I cannot tell the distance the ship drifted until the second anchor was let go. We had the bearings of

Motu Point and the Flagstaff, which I could not see on the day the chain parted. It would not have been safe to get underweigh. The ship was well found in anchors and chains &c., and was perfectly seaworthy. The ship is a total wreck, and the tide ebbs and flows in and out of her. I have not kept receipts for cargo discharged. George King deposed—l was called by the watchman on the morning in question, and when the chain parted I ran aft and called the mate, who came on deck immediately after, as also did the captain. The wind was from the south and squally. Joseph Kennedy deposed—l am a Master Mariner. On the morning in question, the 30th April, was alongside the brig with a lighter. Al. 1 a.m. ! was on deck, and found the wind from the south-soul h-cast, with a long ; well, but no sea. I he ird the chain part, and found that the brig was drifting. 1 called to the brig, and told the cook, who was on deck, to call th'- captain, as the vess* I had paried her cable. I then left the side of the bidg for the safety of the lighter. I cannot fay what time elap Ifi m the vof el pa in j, . ' la i ». At six a.m. I could not. lay alongside, as the sea was making at that time. The wind was from the south. 1 do not think the v. ?sel could have been towed to a safe anchorage. There was too much wind and sea.

George Taylor—l am an A.B. of the brig. On the morning of April 30th, I heard the chain part, a little after 4 o’clock. I ran forward and found the mate, and we let go the pr; anchor. Five minutes would have elapsed Croxn the time the ship parted and the second anchor was let go. Everything was done to save the vessel. Captain Andrews deposed—l am Harbor Master and Pilot here. On the 30th April I noticed that the brig had altered her position considerably. At 7.30 a.m. I went- off in the Rosina. i found that she had parted her first cable, and was brought up with the second anchor. I told the captain that it was no use trying to tow the ship to a safe anchorage, there being too much wind and sea. At five p.m. the brig signalled that she was striking. I replied, “ Hold out if practicable till high water, and then if weather moderates will send steamer.” The wind was South-south-east, until the afternoon, when it headed round to the South-west with heavy squalls. The only way that I can account for the cable parting would be from a sudden squall striking the ship, and the cable being slack. The lighter being alongside would also tend to make the strain on the chain much heavier. Wm. Mac Quaker deposed—l am master of the brig. I cannot account for the cable parting on the 30th. The ship was owned by R. E. Love, of Sydney. From what I have been told, the vessel is insured for £250 in the South British, and £l,OOO in a Sydney office. The ship was worth £1,600 when I left Newcastle. The ship is 16 years old. I have heard the cargo is insured for £195. Since the vessel has been ashore I have taken a few articles out of her. I was on board her yesterday, and found that the planks along the starboard bilge were all started, and the water running in and out. The surveyor, Capt. Gleadow, told me to abandon her. This closed the examination.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBS18840506.2.13

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 124, 6 May 1884, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,288

STRANDING OF THE RIO GRANDE. Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 124, 6 May 1884, Page 2

STRANDING OF THE RIO GRANDE. Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 124, 6 May 1884, Page 2

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