WRECK OF THE BRIG MOUNTAIN MAID.

West Coast Times, Issue 637, 9 October 1867, Page 2

WRECK OF THE BRIG MOUNTAIN MAID.

BESULT OF THE EXQUIBT. An enquiry into the wreck of the brig Mountain Maid, which was stranded at the Buller on September 5, was held at Westport, before Mr Kynnersley, R.M., and Capt. Crisp, nautical assessor, and the following judgment was deliveied by the Court. We wonder why the same course is not adopted in Hokitika, ■where enquiries into wrecks invariably produce the most barren results. In the case of the Mountain Maid the Court decided that — The master's certificate was not forthcoming, but was stated to be No. 34,769. The query in the casualty returns, in reference to the cause of the wreck, we find entered — " error of judgment, want of seamanship, and general bad management of master, and the vessel being badly found in the necessary furniture." The Magistrate and Assessor found that the nature of the damage done was total wreck, and that the Mountain Maid was twice ashore on tho Buller bar, and once on the North Spit before she was finally wrecked on the South Spit. She was three times in such a position that she might have been rescued, and it will therefore bo convenient to consider the circumstances of each separate stranding separately. 1. — On September stb, the Mountain Maid, with cargo of coals from Newcastle, ill-found, and by no means watertight, anchored in the bay, outside the mouth of the Buller. At noon she weighed, and stood in towards the bar with a light N.W. wind, drawing 12 feefc of water. Two steamers, the Southland and Woodpecker, offered their services which were declined. The master of the Woodpeck* informed the Mountain Maid that there was 13 feet of water on the bar ; and the master of the Southland said that thero was scarcely water enough for her, notwithstanding which Bbc, tho Mountain Maid, at 1 p.m , or Bhortly afterwards, took the bar with yards square, and the wind aft or nearly so, it was two hours before high water — neap tide, tho blue flog and black ball were flying on the signal itstfon ligßflJifiing "(food tidf, wM ftp tide,"

A signal was hoisted at the station asking what water she drew, but Ibis was not understood, as there were neither signal books nor flags on board. The master had never been nt the port before, aud did not understand the local tidal flags. The wind was so high that, according to tho evidence of tho harbor master, it would not have been safe for the vessel to have attempted to come in under canvas even if thero had been sufficient water in the channel. • The lead was not kept going continually, but only occasionally. S Juudings taken, the last before striking being three fathoms. She struck on the bank or near the channel, and sustained some injuries, part of the false keel being knocked away. 2. — She wa3 towed oft' by the s.s. Southland to seaward, and brought in again at about high water, and struck again on the bar in the middle of the channel more heavily than before, this time unshipping the upper part of the rudder, the tow-line at the same time being carried away. The master of tho Mountain Maid states that he was brought in the second time without his consent, but when he saw the Southland turn aud head in again for the bar he neither hailed her nor showed in any way that he would have preferred to be token in to the outer roadstead. The Southland, after the warp carried, mado fast to her again, but failing to get her off cast off and went into the river. The Mountain Maid let go bo!h anchors. 3. — Afc the night's high tide, about 3 a.m., the Mountain Maid dragged along the bank, and went ashore on the north spit al tho entrance of the rivor j it was a fine night, and according to the evidence of the signalman, if a steamer had been engaged she might have been towed off the bar and into the river. On heaving in tho chains on tho following morning it wa3 found that the starboard anchor was gone, and tho stock of tho port anchor carried away. Three days afterwards, attempts having been in the meantime made by the p.s. Dispatch to tow her off which were ineffectual, because no coal had at that time been thrown overboard to lighten her. The vessel was hove off by a warp made fast at the other side of the river. The harbor master very properly declined to take charge or havo anything to do with her unless a steamer was in attendance. She was hove off by the warp into li:c river, and the p orb anchor, the only one loft, with a temporary wooden stock, was dropped in mid-channel. It was slack water when she got off, and even if the Woodpecker had been in attendance, fhereis no doubt that the Mountain Maid would have been berthed, "but by the time the anchor was dropped the ebb tide was setting out. The bight of the warp got foul between the rudder and stern post and carried away, and the vessel commenced to drift towards the south spit. The Woodpecker then seeing lights flashing on board tho Mountain Maid came down to her assistance, and took her in tow, but too late, for her small power was insufficient to move the vessel against the increasing force of the ebb tide which carried the Mountain Maid on to the south beach, where she was totally wrecked, surveyed, condemned and sold for twentythree pounds. Tho master states that she was not insured. It is unnecessary to comment on tho facts. I would simply recommead that the certificate of the master be cancelled. Given under my hand this twenty-eighth day of September, 1867, at Westport, in the Provinco of Nelson, New Zealand. T. A. Snetd Kynxebsley, Lieut. R.N., Resident Magistrate. The following is the opinion of the Nar&cal Assessor : — I, Thomas Chrisp, Nautical Assessor, on the inquiry into the stranding and total wreck of the brig Mountain Maid, fully concur in the above report concerning the loss of the said vessel. TnoarAS Cicrisp, Nautical Assessor. September 30, 1867.