Inquiry into the loss of the Cutter Ellen.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4396, 5 February 1883, Page 2

Inquiry into the loss of the Cutter Ellen.

An inquiry into the circumstances at* tending the loss of the cutter - Ellen, which wa9 wrecked in the Hauraki Gulf on the 29th of, January, was heard at the R.M. Court, Auckland, on Saturday Morning, before H. G. Seth Smith, Esq., the R.M., and Capt. Frater, Nautical Assessor,. The proceedings were taken at the instance of the Collector of Customs, who was represented by Mr Hudson Williamson. Mr Speed appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of of the master of the vessel Mr Greenleaf. Mr Williamson fa stating the case, said the master had gone below and left the vessel in charge... of a young man, aged 21, who had had no experience of the coast. The vessel drifted on a rock known as David's Bock, and was wrecked, Greenleaf and, his man escaping in a dingy. The preliminary enquiry held by the Collector shewed that there had been carelessness on the part of the master. After hearing the evidence, the.Court, after a short deliberation, decided that the master had committed an error of judgment in leaving an inexperienced man in charge of the vesV; sel when she was in the neighbourhood of, the rock on which she ultimately struck, and therefore in a critical position. The.:: error, however, was not one of sufficient gravity to necessitate the suspension of his certificate- The Court ordered the captain of the cutter Ellen to pay the costs of the inquiry, amounting to £5 14s. He was requested to produce his certificate, but it appeared that this had gone down with the vessel. The case was settled on payment of c.osts. :"■."•■■ 7. c>.