THE INQUIRY INTO THE WRECK OF THE STEAM TUG SAMSON.

West Coast Times, Issue 57, 14 October 1865, Page 2

THE INQUIRY INTO THE WRECK OF THE STEAM TUG SAMSON.

(CONTINUED FIIOM OUIt LAST.)

By Mr. South— When the Bruce weighed anchor I was in charge of the vessel. I continued in chargo of tho vessel, except piloting over tho bar. If Captain Korley has sworn that I was in charge of tho vessel from the time of weighing anchor to the timo that I arrived in port, he has sworn falsely. I do not recollect whether Captain Kerloy asked me if I was going in on tho ovening of the 29th September. "When Captain Korley boards tho Bruco after having taken another vessel out ho cons mo in ; he did so on tho 29th September. Tho poisons on the biidgo were in a position to hear what passed between the harbor-master and myself. If the harbor-master had not been in charge of my vessel on the 29 th September, I should havo, gono as far as tho outer break, and had I not passed the Samson before reaching Hie break, I would have turned to sea. Taking all things into consideration, I consider that it was a wise and prudent thing for the Bruce to come in when she did. When tho two steamers wero two lengths of the Bruce from one another, would not undertake to say how far tho vossols were from tho entrance to tho harbor. Ido not know how near tho Samson was to tho Bruce. When tho Bruco was coming round tho spit I do not know where tho Samson was. To tho best of my belief tho Brnco was abreast of tho Tilania when the Samson wont on the north spit. All of us expected that tho Samson would go on tho north spit because she was not far enough to tho northward. I will swear that tho Bruco from tho position sho took in the channel, was not tho causo of tho Samson's going on tho north spit. Tho Bruco interfered with the Samson in no way whatever. I will swear that the Bruco never obstructed tho signals from tho view of tho Samson. If Captain Loys and Mr Houghton wero to say that a corlain conversation took place on the bridge, and that I tried to dissuade Capt. Korloy from taking tho vessel in, and that ho said <( Oh ! do it, lot us push on," words to that offoct, I should believe them. When tho Bruco roundod

the spit and hoisted tho staysail I will not undertake to say what distance tho Samson was astern of tho Bruce. Capt. Hepburn of tho William Miskin was on board tho Bruce when sho was in the offing on tho 29th of September. There had not been any drinking going on on board tho Bruce on tho 29 th of Sept. Captain Kerley has not received any money from mo as pilotage fees since ho has been harbour-master.

By tho Magistrate — I havo been at sea about 20 years. When I said I did not know what timo it was high water, I meant that 1 did not know exactly. It was high water about fivo p.m.

This closed tho examination of Capt. Malcolm, and it being half-past fivo o'clock tho Court was adjourned till eight. Neil M'Gill, sworn, deposed — I am a seaman, and chief mate of the p.s. Bruce. I hold a mate's certificate of competency from tho Marino Board of Now Zealand. I recollect the 29th day of September last, on which day I was discharging my duty on board the Brnco. Wo were anchored outsido the harbor of Hokitika on that morning, and remained at anchor till about halfpast three in the afternoon ; we then weighed anchor and waited for a few minutes, and then steamed towards the entrance of tho harbor. Captain Kerloy came on board about the time wo wero weighing anchor. I think it was after we had weighed anchor that he camo on board. Captain Korley came on board in tho William Miskin's boat I, and ono of the seaman, was at the wheel. I know tho instructions I might receive from a person in command of the vessel. I was the responsible person for the steering of tho boat. At this time Captain Kerlcy was in command of tho boat, as far as tho piloting of her was concerned. I know that Captain Korley was in command of tho vessel, because I received my instructions from him so far as the steering of her was concerned. Captain Kerloy conned tho vessel in. I do not know whether Captain Korley gave any orders for tho ongines to bo started. As wo were going in, Captain Kerloy said "Port" and "Starboard." Ho also guided me with his hand. Captain Malcolm did not tako any part in piloting tho vessel. I think that Mr Houghton, Captain Malcolm, and Capt. Kerloy were on, the bridge as wo on tercel tho harbor. Tliore was also a man heaving tho lead. When tho Bruce started to go in, tho Samson was a little ahead of the Br ice, but not much. Tho Samson was on tho Bruco's port bow, about half a mile ahead. Tho Bruco was from 3,} to -t miles from tho entranceto tho Hokitika River when sho started to go in. Tho Bruco and tho Samson wero not steering quite parallel courses. The' Bruco had the beacons open to tho southward. •• Tho Samson may have had the beacons on shore opo)i to tho northward, but I am unable, "from the distance botweon tho two vessels, to say whether sho had or not. Tho two vossols wore converging a little whon wo wero going towards tho break. There might bo tho difference of about a poitat and a half in their courses. Whon sho got on to tho break there was a distance of about two lengths and a half of tho Bruce between the Samson and tho Bruco. Tho Bruco was by that timo ahead 'of tho Samson. The Bruco passed tho Samson about 80 yards previous to tho Bruco coming into the first break, which is about 350 or 400 yards from tho south spit. When the Bruce passed tho Samson they wore distant from one another about a longtli and a half of the Bruco. The Bruco passed tho Samson on tho starboard side. They continued to converge a little until the Bruco was iv tho first breakers. Tho Bruco did not overlap tho bow of tho Samson.. I noticed tho Samson whoir sho was in tho first breakers, and from her movements 1 felt certain in my own mind that sho would go ashoro. I have been a shareholder in tho Samson and had commanded her for tho last previous four years. I saw the sea strike her aud give her a starboard sheer; a second sea struck her on tho port quarter, which caused her to run right ashore. Ido not think that tho Samson was steered to the northward in order to avoid tho Bruce. Tho Bruce was a good way to tho southward of tho Samson. There was no danger of the two vessels coming into collision with oach other. The Bruce was from two and a- half to three lengths of the channel ahead of tho Samson when tho Samson took the ground. I think thero wns some mismanagement on tho Samson which caused her to go on shore, and I am suro the Bruco was in no way tho cause of the Samson going ashore. I heard a C( n /creation between Captain Korley cndCrptaiu Malcolm on tho biid^e of tho Bruce whon sho was coming into the harbor. I heard Captain Malcolm ask Captain Korley, "Do you think wo can t pass her, (meaning tho Samson) befc r i we como to tho bar," or words to that effect. Captain Kerloy answered, " Yes, we will, long before wo get to the bar." I mtulo no remark fit tho time, and I do not recollect that anything moro passed at tho time, nnd I do not think that when tho Bruce passed tho Samson that sho shut out tho signal on shoro from the view of the Samson. I am certain of it, becauso the Bruco had tho beacon open to tho southward. I do not think that tho Bruco in entering the channel wont ns far to tho southgnrd as a vessel of her draught might have gono. I did not feel her touch on the south spit. I think I should havo perceived it if sho had. I was mistaken in saying that tho Bruco might have boon further to tho southward ; she was as far to tho southward ns sho could go. It is usual to keep tho beacon in vibw

when entering tho harbor, shewing the course that wo wero towards the south spit. Ido not suppose that there would bo moro than the width of double tho length of tho Bruco between the two spits. The Bruce did not slacken speed at ( all when coming round tho south spit. After passing tho south spit tho Bru^e did not run more than 50 to 80 feet ncross tho channel before she was in her right course to go up the river. As wo got straight into tho channel tho Samson went ashore. It was not probable that tho Samson would have run into tho Bruco had sho (the Samson) kept her course. In shaping our course wo made allowance for the fresh in the river, and took tho fresh as much " bow on" as wo could.

By Mr South — Standing where I did I could see all that occurred on board tho Samson. It is my opinion that those who wero on tho bridge had an equal chance of seeing what occurred on board the Samson. I don't think they would take moro notice, ns I had a greater interest in her than nny on board tho Bruce. I believe when wo wero on tho bar, tho nearest tho Bruco was to tho Samson was ns nearly as possible about two lengths and a half of tho Bruce. I commanded tho Samson for four years, aud recommended the shareholders to send her to Hokitika under my command, that was just about the time tho Favorite was sold. As a nautical man I think I should have brought tho Bruco in that day under tho samo circumstances. From the position that tho Bruce took up with respect to the Samson, it is my opinion that the Samson could have made a rctrogaado movement. The Samson could havo slackened her speed before she got into tho broken water. I will swear that the Bruce passed the Samson before the Samson got into the broken water. Tho fresh might have checked tho Bruce, when sho did enter the chnnn ;1, sufficiently to have reduced her speed to that of the Samson.

Archibald Fullarton, sworn — I am a seaman belonging to tho Samson. I remember tho day on^which the' Samson attempted to tow the John Bullock into tho port of Hokitika. I was at the wheel on that day. Tho Samson was about two miles from shoro when she took the John Bullock in tow. When I first noticed tho Bruce she was away to the southward. She had her steam up. I should think sho was a mile or two away from tho Samson. Sho was under weigh, and was dodging about. Tho Samson then steered towards the bar. I could distinguish tho red flug at the mast head on shore. When the Samson entered the break the Bruce came up alongside of her. The Samson was then about 200 or 300 yards from the south spit. The Bruco and tho Samson were at ono time steering parallel courses, but as tho Bruco went ahead of tho Samson she got into the course in which tho Samson was coming ; tho Bruco's port quarter was on tho Samson's starboard bow. The Bruce was ahead of the Samson about tho length of herself when she got into tho channel. When the Bruco hoisted her staysail the beacons on shoro wero shut out from my view. The mate (Mr Miller) wns at tho wheel with me. I wns standing on tho port side of tho wheel when tho Bruce hoisted her staysnil to help her into tho channel. Sho was lying ncross tho channel, and in ths courso of the Samson. At that time sho was about tho length of herself ahead of tho Samson. I should think tA\e cuvvsc of hoi' lying across the channel was tho cheek sho received when meeting the fresh. There was a heavy fresh iv tho river at tho timo. I thought there was a danger of tho Samson running into tho Bruce. I perceived that the Samson was gaining on tho Bruco. Tho mate steered a little to the northward to get out of tho way of tho Bruce. If tho Samson had continued her courso, nnd the speed she was going at the timo, I do not think that anything could have stopped her from running . into the Bruce. Tho captain ordered tho staysail to bo set nnd the helm to bo put linrd to port, but the vessel went on shore before sho had time to answer her helm. My opinion is that if the Samson had run into tho Bruce, wo should all havo gone ashoro. If tho Samson had slack ened speed at the time that tho Bruce was lying' in her way, in my opinion the John Bullock would have run into the Samson.

By Mr South — I was about six months in tho Samson, nnd have had ample opportunities of ascertaining her steering qualities. Sho steers as well as any boat that I ever sailed in. Sho draws from 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 10 inches or (5 feet She stoered well in 8 feet of water. When the Bruco camo up closo to tho Samson in tho broken water, I believe it would havo been impossible for tho Samson to have backed out of it. Mr Kennelly, tho agent of the Samson, was on board on the 29th of September. Some ono said " Wo shall run into tho Bruce," as the Bruco was going ahead of us. I don't know who it was said that. I think that expression camo from somo one standing on tho starboard paddle-box. I thought nt tho time that tho Samson would havo run into tho Bruco if the Samson and Bruce had come into contact. My opinion is that wo should havo sunk the Bruce, and that there might havo been loss of life. I kid not hear any ono say that it was in order to avoid probable loss of life that the helm was starboarded.

Israel Putmnn Millor was called, who deposed — I am a seaman, and lato first male of tho Samson. Ido not hold a corlilicato of compotoncy. I recollect tho 2!) th of Soptombor, 1865. On that day I was on board tho Samson discharging my regular duty. I was on tho bridge of the Samson whon she took

the John Bullock in tow. That was between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon. I believe it was high water about 5 o'clock on that day. After tho Samson had taken tho John Bullock in tow she sho steamed towards the bar. When wo first took tho John Bullock in tow tho Samson was a good deal to the southward of tho entrance to the Ilokitika River; but before entering the break wo brought tho leading marks on shore in line with oacli other, and kept them so until wo wore about half distanco from tho outer break to the passage between the two spits. It was at that time that I first saw the Bruce after picking up tho John Bullock. Sho was then on our starboard bow. and in what I considered dangerous proximity. Tho Bruco gained on the Samson until wo wore very nearly astern of her. The Bruco then appeared to slacken her speed, and headed more to the northward across our course. At that time wo gained on her, and I thought a collision was imminent. Tho master called out to mo to look out and keep clear of the Bruce. I was steering at the timo, and had another man at hand to render assistance if necessary. Tho Bruco went ahead and hoisted her staysail. She was at that time on our starboard bow, and steaming slightly across us. When the staysail of tho Bruce was hoisted it shut out the steering arm on shoro from my view altogether. Whon I next saw tho tho steering arm, the signal made was, to keep moro to the south. The man at the wheel then said, "There is port," or " Port, sir." I answered him that we should go slap into the Bruce if I did port tho helm. The Bruce shot well ahead at tho same timo we yawed to port. Tho fresh striking the starboard bow, the captain gave tho order to port the helm hard. The current of the fresh had by this time got hold of us, and tho John Bullock astern was as yet clear of tho fsosh and coming iv a fairway. The fresh sweeping us to the north brought the tow-line over our starboard quarter. That assisted to prevent the vessel answering her helm. lat once reported to the captain that tho steamer was not answering. He gave tho orders, . " Ease her ;" " Set the staysail." I immediately repeated to the engineer to ease her, and I told tho second mate to sot tho staysail. At the moment I thought that tho vessel would answer, but tho next instant sho grounded. She first took the ground forward, but tho sea shifted her broadside on to the north spit. Tho captain ordered "Go full speed," and I repeated the order to the engineer. Sho seemed at first to forgo ahead, but another sea struck her and threw her higher up. I could feel by the vibration that the paddles had little or no hold of the water, tho engines were going nt such speed. I said "Itis no use, you can stop her, we are on now." As the tide foil, the water was let from the boilers to lighten her, and the anchor nnd fifty fathoms of chain, nnd fifty fathoms J,of a bow-line attached, were laid out nearly in the direction of the flagstaff, and another tow line made fast to the Titania's mast. Tho first boAV line — tho one attached to the anchor — was made slack ; tho other, attached to the Titania, was hauled taut. I then sent the men below. These two lines were used in the hope that the spit would wash away, and that we should bo enabled to heave the vessel ahead. When the tide rose it did not wash away the spit, but threw the Samson higher up. At tho forenoon obb-tipe of tho 30th September, wo landed the ship's provisions, and all the spare stores and some coal. At high tido we worehoaving on our head lino ; and Sunday night, tho Ist October, we had got in about 1 5 or 20 fathoms of tho line. This was caused partly by our forging ahead, and partly by the stretching of tho ropo. On Monday morning, the 2nd of October, wo again hove on tho head lino, and also hove in the port bow line to which the anchor was attached. Tho spit at this time was washing away from under the vessel's fore part ; it was being washed away by the heavy fresh. About halfpnst eight I sent the men to breakfast, and on their attempting to go below they reported that tho forecastle was half full of water. On examining I found that the water was level both outside nnd in. I told tho men to put their clothing in the engine-room, and get their breakfast there. About 20 minutes afterwards tho engineer (Mr Darling), and a carpenter named Cook, called to me from on board the Yarra, that the Samson was swinging off into deep water. I then ordered the men to put their clothing on board the Yarra aud follow as fast as they could themselves. There was then a veryheavy strain on the head line which *vas leading well across tho port bow, tho port bow line apparently holding nothing, bringing tho anchor along with it. I wont on board the yarra myself, and shortly afterwards the head lino parted Tho fresh swung our bow out, pointing it out to sea, and in a short timo worked her off. When sho went off it was evident that sho wns filling rapidly with water. Tho frosh boro her some distanco to the north, and she turned with her head in- shore, and she camo stem on to tho beach, about 150 yards from whero sho previously stranded. When tho tido left her we boarded her again, and it was evident that there was not tho slightest hopo of saving tho vessel, ant] wo turned our, attention to save every romovoablo.

By Mr Patten — Aftor taking the Jo'm Bullock in tow I saw the Bruco" first when wo wero about 1 80 yards from the south spit ; the Bruce was then running in towards tho bar ; she was close to the bar ; it would havo boon utterly impossible for tho Samson to havo stood out to sea again, with or without letting. go

the tow. At that time Ido not think that the Bruce could have got out of the way of tho Samson ; the Bruce could not havo gone back without great danger to herself. (To be continued.)

Fonofl op Habit.— A story is related in Cunningham' 8 Life of Sir Joshua Reynolds, which shows how ridiculous a great man may bo rendered by the force of habit. He had been taught by his old master, Hudson, to paint portraits in a certain position, the gentleman holding his hat under liis arm. Before he had tin own off tho trammels of habit, and begaii to exhibit that freo nnd bold manner that afterwards distinguished him, a certain customer desired to bo painted with his hat on. Ilia wish was gratified, but when tile portrait 'was sent home, the gentleman's wife was not a little astonished to perceive that her husband had two hats on — ono on his head and another under bis arm t Yankee Piety. — A curious resolution Ima been submitted to the Senate of tho United States. Mr Salsbury (Dem Del.) submitted tho following ; -Resolved :— "That tho chaplain of tho Senate bo respeotfully requested hereafter to play and Bupplicato Almighty God in our behalf, and not to lecture Him, informing Him, under prayer, his, said chaplain's, opinion in reference to Hisduty as the Almighty ; and that the said chaplain ho further requested, as aforesaid, not under tho foim of prayer to lecture the Senate relativo to questions before tho body." Mending a Bldndeu. — An Irish officor, upon seeing a beautiful picture sketched upon a wall in America, exclaimed " It's a fine painting, but it was never dono in America." — "Oh, sir," said his friend, " don't you see it is a solid wall, and therefore must havo been dono in this country?"—"Ah," replied he, " I see that plain enough, but I only meant that tho man who did it was never iv America."