GISBORNE.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3701, 4 November 1880, Page 2

GISBORNE.

This day.

The enquiry into the stranding of the Lochnagar, before Mr Prece (R.M.), Mr Clayton (Nautical Assessor), and Mr Johnston (Collector of Customs), was held yesterday, and lasted from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The following decision was arrived at:—The cause of the stranding of the Lochnagar was a heavy gale from the. south-east, with a heavy breaking sea. The heaviest part of the gale caused a chopping sea, and the vessel pitched and rolled heavily, and snapped her chains; being light, the only means of saving the vessel was by beaching her. We are of opinion that although the Master ought not to have had the whole of the sails under when riding in an open roadstead, yet from the evidence it appears that from the heavy gale, and the lightness of the ship's sails, it would not have been sate for the vessel to pat to sea with the little ballast and cargo she had on board in the heavy gale that was blowing at the time, the barometer not indicating the approach of such heavy weather. Had the vessel been provided with coir springs, there is a probability that the chains would not have snapped. There was no attempt to ease the chains by substituting a warp in the absence of springs. With this exception, we consider the Master, under the circumstances, acted for the best in his judgment to save the ship.