Nautical Inquiry.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4886, 6 September 1884, Page 2

Nautical Inquiry.

Wellington, This day

A nautical enquiry was commenced at 12.'30 today into the circumstances connected with the loss of the ship. Lastingham, before Mr Wardel!, R.M.., and Capts. Grant and Vanstone, as nautical assessors. Mr Izard, Crown Prosecutor, appeared for the Crown, and Mr Fitzgerald for the owners. Mr Izard opened" the enquiry with the exposition of the particulars, which were substantially the same as the statement already published. The only witnesses he intends to call were the first and second officers, carpenter and the man at the wheel.

John Neale, chief officer, deposed that be held a master's certificate. The officers and crew numbered 26, and with tbe passengers and the Captain's wife there were 32 souls on board. The ship was well found in every respect. The vessel toad a fair passage until reaching Cook's Strait. On Monday last sighted Mount Egmo'nt at 8 a;m.; a strong breeze was blowing from the N.N.W., and the weather was fine ; they altered her course to E.by S. Subsequently altered the course to S.E. bj E.,,and at about noon sighted Kapiti, which bore 5.8. E., twelve miles distant. The vessel was averaging 11 knots, but reduced the canvas, and speed' was slackened. After sighting Kapili the course was altered to south, and continued this course until 3 p.m. under easy canvas. At this lime Kapiti bore E.N.E., 14 miles distant. The Captain was on deck all this time, and had been for 12 hours previous to sighting tbe land. When the land was seen, pn the lee quarter, about a mile distant, the Captain gave orders to increase sail, which was done as soon as possible. The vessel was still on the same course, and after keeping on three-quarters of an hour the watoh reported land ahead, and also on the weather quarter, evidently two miles distant. Tbe Captain then ordered to wear ship, which was done. That would be about 9 o'clock. The ship came about and stood away on the starboard tack. Eepton this tack until they saw land again nearing, when they went about, and while doing so the vessel struck stem on the beach, all hands being Busy on deck squaring the yards. After striking for five minutes she canted broadside, on to the sea; .she still rested on something, and there she remained for an hour and a half, when the masts went overboard, and the vessel went to pieces. Witness was aft when the vessel struck, bat at once went to the captain, who was on the poop. The captain said—" This is a bad job, and everyone will have to save himself." All hands were sober. Witness went forward and called all on board to come forward ; could not tell whether this order was obeyed, owing' to the sea' and rain. Then jumped overboard from the bow of the vessel, and landed on dry ground; the drop was only about six feet. Never saw the Captain after the vessel struck.. The Captain wife and passengers were on deck. Had those on board. rushed forward when tbe vessel struck all could have escaped. Never saw the Brothers light, and thought we were on our course until we saw land.

Eobert Eobertsoo, carpenter of the Lastinghara, says the ship struck. about 10.30 p.m., went forward and found the ship right upon the rocks; somebody said the chief officer had given orders " everyone for himself," but he did not hear him; when he got forward he found several of the crew clambering along the jibboom, and dropping on to the wreck beneath. He followed, and found himself safe. People were running in all directions; those on shore saw a crowd on the poop, and called to them to save themselves as they had done. Believed the captain's wife was down stairs at the time.. The ship hung on the rock three or four minutes, and then slipped into deep water. A terrible surf commenced to break over her, and sent her broadside on, She rolled heavily, and commenced to settle down, but lines of poople cduld still "be seen standing aft, and several human beings were seen in the main rigging. Several made attempts to get ashore with ropes round their bodies, but soon became exhausted and were hauled on board again. The ship then com« menced breaking up. A heavy sea carried away the deck house, smashing the boats, and carrying '* away the main and mizzen royal masts. Some of the party then found that Grove's and Freyer had been washed ashore, and these were assisted on to the rocks. The heavy sea continued to make breaches over her, and the mainmast carried away; the foremast followed, tearing up the decks. The sea was covered with wreckage, and he distinctly heard cries for help. The vessel gava several heavy lurches, and then disappeared with the mizzen mast still standing. Watched till daybreak if any survivors came ashore on the wreckage, but there were none ; they then crawled -to the summit of the hill and,separated into parties, some (o search for survivors, and others to seek assistance. One party saw tfeveral sheep, but being fatigued and having no boots did not attempt to pursue them. It blew and rained heavily and was bitterly cold.

A touching incident is described by Grrove, an able seaman, who says before he left the vessel he went below to ask the captain's advice. The captain was seated «tt the cabin table, with his

arm around his wife's waist} they were both lip to. .their bodies in water. The captain did not answer him, and Grore went back to the poop, shook hands, and all gathered there then jumped overboard and got safely ashore. • Judgment of the Court. The Court found that an error of 1 judgment had been committed by the master in standing on the tack too long, and this in their opinion led to the disaster. No blamo is attached to the officers before the Court. The Court desired to mention that it attributed no blame to the officers of vessels which passed the scene of the wreck, as it was possible they did not see the men on shore, and the latter had no means of making signals. Picton This day. The Missing Hen' Found. The launch has returned with the three lest men belonging to the Laslingham. They were "picked up by the schooner Maude Graham yesterday morning, and afterwards landed afc Mr Jones' station, where the launch brought them from.