WRECK OF A BARQUE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 266, 3 November 1908, Page 2

WRECK OF A BARQUE.

THE ENQUIRY. SEKIOUS ALLEGATIONS. CAPTAIN CHARGED WITH WRECKING THE VESSEL. Kcccived 2, 10.35 p.m. Sydney, Last Night. . An enquiry was commenced to-u*i>y regarding the wreck of the barque FifJshire on the Gilbert Islands. Nichol, master of the Filestore, examined, said land was first sighted 17 miles away. Two hours after breakers wore reported. They were then six miles off the land. They kept away, but .shortly after struck. The ves'al came off, but struck again and remained fast, bumping heavily. The crew manipulated the sails to try to get the vessel off. but found it impossible. In reply to questions, Xichol slated that the log-book and chart were put in a boat wherein they escaped. That was the last he saw of them. He had had charge of three ships in seven years. The first one was burned and the second was lost off Gape Horn. All belouged to the same company as the Fifcshire. liiqliard Evans, who signed on as boatswain and acted as second mate on the '"feshire, deposed thi'.t he had had '.l eomcv-..;. : -« vH'i Captain Nichol before they sailed from Newcastle. Nichol said he would make the trip to Portland in 05 or 70 days, unless he could get a nice soft reef to put her on. Witness said: "That is no good to me." Nichol replied: •'That's all right; 1 will li.v you ii]) after the ship is grounded." Nichol asked, -'ls she fast?" When witness had replied, Nichol said: "Good; all light; get the boats out." Eraus added that no attempt was made to <;.-t 1-1(0 ship oil' the reef. Nichol struck . him when returning to (Sydney. ..Witness then informed him tliat lie would tell the truth.

Captain Nichol ami the first mate of the Fifeshire generally denied Evans' allegations.