ENQUIRY INTO THE WRECK OF THE S.S., MAID OF THE YARRA.

West Coast Times, Issue 87, 23 December 1865, Page 1 (Supplement)

ENQUIRY INTO THE WRECK OF THE S. S., MAID OF THE YARRA.

The official enquiry into the cause of the wreck' of the above vessel, commenced on Monday afternoon, before G. G. FitzGerald, Esq., the resident magistrate, Mr. Patten, collector of customs, and Captain White, nautical assessor. The evidence of Joseph Hughes,' was first taken, who deposed — He was late master of the Maid of the Yarra, and held a master's certificate from the New Zealand Marine Board. He believed she was insured, but could not say positively whether she was or not. Her port of registry was Dunedin. She left Port Chalmers on the Bth inst., bound to both Hokitika and the Grey," but he had no particular instructions at which to call first — that was to be determined by the state of the winds, weather, &c. Made the passage to Hokitika south about, arriving off that port on the 13th. Did not anchor, as the, tide served when they came abreast the bar at about half-past five in the morning. Seeing the p.s., Lioness coming out, they sheered over to and spoke 'her. Asked the state of the bar, and was told there was about nine feet of water upon it — plenty fcr them. He was a'so informed, by James Tier, the helmsman of the - Lioness, that Captain Kerley would not come outside that morning, as no other vessel would cross the bar. Witness asked Tier if he would pilot them in, to which he consented ; the boat was lowered and sent • for him bringing him on board the Maid. Directly he came on board he took charge. The Maid of the Yarra was then " about half a mile outside the bro:s;en~water. He was fully in charge as pilot, but "no arrangements were made ; it was tacitly understood he was to be paid. The morning was fine, a veiy light easterly wind blowing, and a bit of a swell on, not very heavy. After the pilot came on board witness started the vessel himself, and then resigned charge of her" into the pilot's hand. They steamed in towards the bar, and touched as soon as they reached it, her heel taking the ground about the centre of ,the broken water. Witness took no notice of the signals ashore whilst running in. Observed the beacons ; they were kept^a little • open to the northward. The beacons were a little open to the north when the steamer was on the bay- ; they were so all the time ; we never closed them in. Did observe the arm of the semaphore as they were an the broken water ; it pointed to the south ; but the hehn had been put to port long before that. The steamer's heel was then on the ground ; she was trailing o/er it, the hehn being hard aport. Could not say whether the hehn .was put hard aport before then or at that time. Two men were at the hehn at the time, Douglas and Thomas. Tier was on the bridge, the witness standing by, his side. Before wq. came to' broken water asked Tier whether fhey should go full speed or not. He said, " There is plenty of water ; we need not hurry " and slowed the engines. Directly after the engines were put to full speed again. Don't remember any other conversation before she struck. She was going full speed at the time she struck. She -would not answer her helm when she struck,' sd we stopped her and went astern. Got the jib and staysail on her, but she would not slue, and the sea drove her broadside on the beach, on the north spit, outside the bar. She then canted or listed seawards, and the sea carried her bulwarks away, and smashed in the galley and cabin. Immediately after we struck we signalled to .the Lioness, who had crossed the bar just ahead of us, to come to help us, but she seemingly did not care, as she was nearly on the beach herself going in. . ..She only came as far as the point and then went back again. Discharged' passengers as soon as-pos-sible, and made preparations to get out cargo. We made no effort 10 save the vessel by running out lines, as it was impossible to do so. It would have been of no service, as the vesssl by that time would have been half buried in sand. Got the cargo out ; it was much damaged. When we could get to examine the vessel, found her bottom nearly out, many of the angle irons gone,plates broken, and the vessel strained all to pieces. A great deal of sand had already collected inside her. Called a survey same day, when after examination she was condemned. Had no reason to suppose the pilot either neglected his duty or was going wrong whilst coming over the bar. Witness did not know whether James Tier was a licensed pilot or not. Believes the reason the vessel went on shore, was in consequence of there not being enough water on the bar to float her at the time. Observed a red flag flying, at the flagstaff as they were going in ; did not observe whether the ball was at mast-head or not. Half-an-hour might have elapsed from the time the Lioness crossed the bar until we crossed. The Maid of the Yarra was drawing eight feet; believed the Lioness drew about six. Don't think the Maid was out of her course, as he examined channel at low water six hours Mter she-went on shore. The names of her owners are Robinson and Lilly. They never told him she was insured. Had about twelve tons cargo and three tons luggage for Hokitika, and about 2G tons of coal when she left Dunedin. George Bignall being eworn, deposed,

He was late chief officer of the Maid of the Yarra ; remembered the 13th inst. ; was then on duty on board her ; remembered Jim Tier coming on board and going on the bridge ; the Captain was also there. Could not say whether he or the Captain was in charge, as he heard both give orders ; was forward at the time attending to his duty, his station being by the anchor and head sails. As they were steaming into the bar, saw pilot make a gesture with his hand, which signified "portfthejhelm;" this was about half-past five in the morning. It was high water at that time, at least so they were told by those on board the^ Lioness. ~ Saw the rediflag flying, but* took-no notice of the beacons or tn'e black ball. There was not much sea on, and a light air off the land. On crossing the bar the steamer's long heel took the ground close to the wreck of theTitania. This, combined with the current running out, deadened her way, and she would not answer port helm. Hoisted head sail and reversed engines, but before she would pay off, the sea sent her on the beach Kept the engines going some time and did all they could to get her off but without avail. When the hatches, were taken off at 9 o'clock the middle compartment was full of water. Next day found starboard side completely bilged, angle irons gone, and covering board started ; the vessel was a complete wreck. . A survey was . held, and she was condemned — The witness considered t^2vessel was fai? in the channel as tL._^ crossed the bar," but afterwards got tooiar to the souths but that was through her not answering her port hehn. He thoughtthere was' not enough of water on the bar. ~ J Archer 3(hm Kirkam, being sworn, deposed — He, ¥ Vas the .chief engineer of the Maid of the Yarra.. He remembered the 13th ingt. being in the engine room of thfe above vessel that day, engaged in the performance of his duly. Remembered stemming towards the bar at about half-past four or five a.m. The vessel was going , a t full speed when' she entered the broki m water,. One of the firemen passed ti>j. c word down' to him from the bridgU^ Remembered, her touching on the bs. r . Could ,'hear her grating on the bottom, lleceived no order then. A veiy short time after she was on the beact^ ; not more thj»<i a few minutes could ha ye elapsed.' Received orders to go aatern at full speed, t but could not say whe ther it~ l was before or after she struck fai-ly on' the beach. Kept the engines reversed at Ml speed a few moments only,' receiving orders from the bridge- to spop tliein. -Three j or four minutes sifter \{ b wen t on deck, j The .engines v.'c-- :* t. ii^eu again. On i reaching the ;-.<; -.< *. Ktmd. the vessel was lying with a strong liat to seaward. When they started fiom. Port Chalmers the mate told 'him there were about twenty-six ton's of coal on board. It is not part of the engineer's duty to see that a sufficiency .of coal is sent on board. The bunkers were full. Before" arriving off Hokitika the coals ran short ; the steamer was then off Jackson's Bay, into which port she ran for the purpose of cutting wood for fuel. He could, not say how' much wood was cut, had no idea how much either before or after the steamer left Jackson's- Bay. The wood *vas made U3e ol for firing, being burnt together with the coal. She laid jn Jackson's Bay for several hours, going there in the morning and sailing on the afternoon of th i ' same' day. When they were off- Hokitika sufficient coals remained to have , carried them to the Grey. Witness had a conversation with the captain that morning, telling him, in answer to a question, there were two tons of coal left. In answer to his Worship, witness said he considered that quantity sufficient to take the vessel to the Grey, but it would have been past high water when they arrived there. By Captain White — Did not -know what the average passage was from Dunedin to Hokitika. Except the engineer gets' special orders it is no part of his duty to keep any account of the consumption of coal, or when the vessel leaves or arrives at; a port, or to keep any record whatever. The consumption of coal during' the forty-eight hours is from six to eight tons, if the vessel is under full speed all the time. It however varies according to the weather. Part of the passage they were at half speed. They were under canvas when going into Jackson's Bay. When the steamer left Dunedin, witness believed it was intended to go northabout. Could not say on what day she left Port Chalmers. Could not recollect the day they put into Jackson's Bay, or the length of the passage from Port Chalmers there. < [This witness was most troublesome,' giving his evidence' in an unsatisfactory and contradictory manner, and in so low a voice as to be at times abnost inaudible. He. strove several times to evade the questions of the Bench, and once or twice conducted himself so disrespectfully as to call forth a severe rebuke from his Worship, His tergiversation became painfully apparent during Ms re-examination, for he then admitted it was part of his duty t,o see a sufficiency of coals on board," and io keep a record of what occurred" in his department, especially any matter relating to. the machinery.] -. \ George Douglas was next called on, but on his entering the witnass box 4 conducted himself in such a truculent manner, objecting at. first to be, sworn^ and then throwing the book 1 do^nniost-

disrespectfully, as obliged his Worship to convict him for contempt of court, giving 1 him 24 hours in the lock-up. • Richard Thomas deposed; He was a, seaman on board the Maid of the Yarra during her passage from Dunedin to Hokitika. She arrived off Hokitika on the 13th, about four o'clock in the morning. They were then a good bit off the land, about two miles ; stood in towards the s.s. Egmont, at anchor there. When close to the Egmont saw the Lioness ; ran close to and spoke her, asking what water was on the bar. •Thinks the reply made was nine feet. Heard some one on board the tug say that Captain Kerley was not comingjOut. Captain Hughes asked James Tier if he would pilot her in. A boat was lowered and he was fetched oh board. He then went up on the bridge with the Captain. Did not hear what passed between the Captain and James, Tier. The _ vessel was then steaming towards tlie bar. Witness was at the wheel, and received his orders from the pilot who was making signals in the usual way. There was not much break on the bar but a nasty roll. There was very little wind ; it was nearly calm. When she arrived at the bar the steamer took the ground slightly. Witness could not see the shore because he was behind the house. Immediately she scraped, the pilot sung out " hard-a-port," but the helm was already hard over, he having made signals to him previous to her touching to " port it." When it vvas found she would not answer her helm the engines were turned full speed astern, and the head sails set. She still would not answer, and the engines were again turned ahead. She; however, went broadside on the beach. Did not observe what flags were up on the signal-staff. Thought the vessel came in the right channel, as he had since examined the place at low water. After the vessel struck heard no one save the mate give any orders, and thinks the reason the vessel went on shore was that between the swells there was not enough water in the fair- way. Witness stated he had been twenty-three years at sea. * James Tier deposed, He was a mariner. Remembered the 13th instant. On the morning of that day went out of the river across the bar in the " Lioness, about five a.m. He was steersman of the Lioness. It was high water at 5.35 a.m. The Lioness drew six' feet of water. Sounded the bar going out ; they always did so in fine weather, to keep the run of the channel. There was nearly nine feet of Avater on the bar that morning when they crossed it, and there was yet half an hour's flood to makeT^ Not much sea was running ; the bar might be termed a smooth one. Would have crossed it in an open boat.. The wind was about east, but very little ' of it. The Lioness went outside throughmistaking the Maid of the Yarra for a sailing vessel ; afterwards saw her "smoke. They stood towards her; witness asked the Captain to do so. When asked by those on board the Maid, told them the bar was farther to the north, and not so good as when they were there before ; also that 'Captain Kerley was unlikely to come out that morning. He was then asked to come on board ; to which he consented. No mention was made about piloting her. When he got on board told them to steer for the bar, as it was getting towards high water. He went upon the bridge with the Captain. The vessel ran in slowly so as to allow full time for the tide to rise. About ten minutes elapsed after he gofc on board before she was on the bar. They reached it at 5.30 exactly. The vessel was steered according to the directions of witness. There was no agreement between the Captain and himself concerning payment. The vessel was put to full speed just before she reached the bar. They got over the bar safely, but as they reached a point abreast of 'the south spit told the man at the wheel to port the helm hard. He did so ; witness saw him in the act. Witness looked forward and saw the vessel was not answering it. Again sung out to the man at the wheel, who answered, that it was hard over all the time. Seeing she still refused to answer, he asked the captain to do something quickly or she would be on the beach. He ran up the jib, and the vessel then forged half way across the channel. He then stopped her and went full speed astern, running the stay-sail up. as well. Kept going astern until she was close to the shallow water to the north. Up to this^time, did not consider -her ashore, but only trailing on the bottom. She was then turned full speed ahead, the helm being still hard a-port, and the head sails hauled to windward. She went ahead, but would not answer her helm quick enough, touching on the beach again. Mr. Lilly then remarked "if the Lioness was there she would give them a pull off." The Lioness was then coming down, but before she could .reach them, the Maid of the Yarra was hove up high and dry upon the beach. Witness had no idea - what caused the wreck save that the vessel would not answer her helm. He was sure there was water enough for her, as the Captain of the Lioness sounded going in ahead of them, and there was at the very least nine feet. He would swear the vessel was as near as possible in the fan.' way when she took the bar. The shore beacons were a little open to the northward, but as the steamer drew close in to the bar she nearly closed them. The red fiag was flying at the mast head of the flagstaff. Witness took notice

of the steering arm, for when he gave the order to port the helm the arm was pointing to the south. They were as far to the south as it was safe to go ; could see the sand boiling up. He held no certificate of any kind, but had received testimonials from several masters of ships who had employed him to take them in. He had been in the habit of piloting vessels in and out during the past thirteen months. James Trice deposed : he was the' signal man to guide vessels over the bar. He remembered the 13th inst. It w,is high water that morning at about eight minutes past six o'clock. He was at his usual station by the flagstaff at the time. Remembers the Lioness going . out, about five o'clock ; she crossed the bar without difficulty. He saw the Maid of the Yarra about that time steaming towards the land. She arrived cldfce to the bar between five and half-past five having the beacons considerably open to the northward. A red flag, the signal for steamers to take the bar, was flying at the signal station. A light wind was blowing off the land. There ' was very little sea on, an occasional heavy roller came in. The Maid of the Yarra w. s not steaming very fast. When she got to the bar the semaphore was pointed to the south, Witness worked the signals himself, and had the previous day placed the beacons correctly, Having taken observations of the channel at low water. In saying the steamer had the beacons open to the north, witness meant she was too far to the^north, she should have been more to the south to have been in thecorrectline.She came on to the bar between five and half-past five, and a minute or two after taking it she hauled more to the south, that being in accordance with his signal. She. should have altered her course before; she could have done so, there was nothing to prevent it. She steamed some little distance after heading south, and took the ground on the north beach., Then nothing remarkable took place on board that witness observed. After she was on the ground he did not take any further notice of her and dropped the signal arm. Did not observe her going astern or hoisting head sail before she went on the north beach. Witness considered the loss of the vessel was 1 occasioned through .her taking the bar too far to the northward, and not hauling up in time to get.the shelter of the south spit, which sbe might have done, there being no impediment to such a course that witness knew of. Although there was as much water where she took the bar as further south, yet in taking it there she was exposed, much, longer to to a broadside swell that set her bodily on to the beach, than she would have been had she obeyed his signals. The evidence of this witness closed the enquiry, which commenced on Monday last and ended yesterday.