WRECK OF THE LOCH LEVEN.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 900, 14 December 1871, Page 2

WRECK OF THE LOCH LEVEN.

The Victoria Steam Navigation Board has given its decision in respect to the wreck of the Loch Leven. The loss is attributed to the neglect of the master, Captaiu William Branscombe, for not taking the ordinary precautions of navigation. First—Having made King's Island light, bearing S. by W., at half-past nine p.m., Captain Branscombe neglected to plot the position of the ship on tho chart, and subsequently up to two a.m., when tho light was suddenly lost; had this been done the position of the ship

could have been determined. Second— ZOier suddenly losing the light about two a.m., altering the course to S.S.W. and S., and during thick weather, whereby he brought the ship within dangerous proximity of King's Island, and under the influence of the current known to exist within a few miles off Cape Wiekham; The Court would draw attention to the fact that the evidence shows that neither of the officers was made aware of the navigation, or the position of the ship on the chart, and were ignorant as to whether the compasses were correct or not. lhe Court cannot too strongly ■condemn the practice which too often exists of keeping officers in ignorance ■oftfie navigation and position of their ships, and of not allowing them every facility of plotting the ship's position On the chart. The Court are unable to deal with Captain Branscombe's 'certificate, in consequence of the unfortunate accident which deprived him of his life ; but the Court returns the certificates of Mr Mathews, chief officer, and Mr Munro, the second officer, as no blame attaches to them." I