Preliminary Enquiry.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4885, 5 September 1884, Page 2

Preliminary Enquiry.

. A preliminary enquiry was held into the wreck of the Lastingham this morning, before the Collector of Customs.—John Neale, chief officer, said they sighted Mount Egmont at 8 a.m. last Monday. The weather was fine, with a strong breeze ; at noon sighted Eapiti, the wind increasing and bringing rain ; shortened sail, and at 3 p.m. hove the ship to the wind, on the starboard tack, heading about west-by-south; kept this course till 8.15. when Cape Jackson was sighted. It was then blowing a gale, the weather was thick, and they did not know what^ land it was ; the land appeared over the s lee . quarter. At onco made sail to clear it, and shortly after land was reported ahead. We then wore the ship to attempt to clear the land first seen, but found that it was impos sible, for the land loomed two or threo points on the weather bow. Then attempted to wear the ship again, and in the act of wearing struck the land end on. All hope of saving the ship being gone, everyone tried to save himself by clamberiDg over the bows on to the rocks. The ship canted broadside on to the sea, and all top hamper was soon swept away. It was about ten p.m. when we struck, and in the course of an hour or less the cries of those on board had all ceased, and no trace of the ship could be discerned. All hands were on deck at their respective stations from the time of sighting the land at 8.15 p.m., and the wearing and management of the ship was under the captain's directions. At daylight all that was to be seen was a little wreckage. The crew consisted of 26 hands all told.

John Leife Barton corr6borated the first mate's evidence, and added that only two of those who did not get ashore when the vessel was end on to the rocks escaped drowning. It is not yet decided whether any further evidence will be taken.