H.—29.

RETURN of Wrecks and Casualties to Shipping reported to the Marine Department from the 1st April, 1891, to the 31st March, 1892.

14

Date of Casualty. Name of Vessel, also Age and Class. u 6 Nui iber of .ture of Number of Lives lost. Place -where Casualty occurred. Wind. Wind. Decision of Court of Inquiry, &c. Name of Master. II o Passengers. Cargo. Casualty. 1891. April 2 General Stranded; total loss About 2 miles north of Waiwakaiho Stream, Taranaki Bight S.E. Light .. Master was probably justified in running his vessel as he did up to 3 a.m. (the casualty occurred at 3.55 a.m.), but from that hour up to the time he discovered he was close to the rocks he failed to take such precautions as would have insured, beyond any doubt, the safety of his vessel. The Waitara lights had not been picked up; the land could not be seen; and as the master was in doubt as to his actual position, he should have put the ship's head to a known safe point to the westward, or he should have slackened speed and taken soundings along his altered course. The master was ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry. Casualty caused by vessel taking bar at low water in defiance of signals James Meades. Wanaka, s.s., 15 years Schooner 278 26 h 10 Mahinapua, s.s., 9 years Schooner 205 24 1C General Stranded; no damage About 100 yards inside Western Breakwater, Westport Bar of Waitara River S.W. Light air James M. Richardson. 16 Manaia, s.s., 17 years Ocean Ranger, 24 years Hauroto, s.s., 8 Schooner 55 5 Timber.. Stranded; no damage Stranded; slight damage Loss of life only s.w. Fresh breeze Light .. Vessel attempted to leave Waitara too early on the tide Vessel struck on bar when entering Manukau Harbour An A.B. named Joseph Oakley, while engaged washing the blocks of the port lifeboat, fell overboard and was drowned Casualty caused by striking on a ridge just outside Mokihinui Bar I Vessel grounded on shingle-bank when entering Inner Harbour, Napier An A.B. named Thomas George Bartlett, while engaged aloft bending the maintopgallant sail, fell to the deck and died from the injuries received. Vessel stranded when entering Napier Harbour Vessel fell in with a hurricane, which caused considerable damage to sails and hull John Botham. 19 Barquentine Schooner 234 I 9 Coal Manukau Bar s. William Woebling. Robert Huddlestone Neville. M 20 General 1 On voyage from Newcastle, N. S. W., to Dunedin South Entrance, Mokihinui River Inner Harbour, Napier years 28 Lawrence, s.s., 7 years Plying Scud, 30 years Tongariro, s.s., 8 years, Al 100 Lloyds Schooner 246 15 3 Coal Stranded; total loss Stranded; partial loss Loss of life only Calm .. James Leys. May 2 Schooner 119 i 7 1 Goal .. s.w. Strong .. Thomas James Moore Corlett. -John Bone. 5 Barque 12657 106 84 General 1 On voyage from London to Wellington, lat. 38° 30' N., long. 11° 55' W. Entrance to Inner Harbour, Napier On voyage from Newcastle, N.S.W., to Auckland ; lat. 32° 29' S., long. 172° 45' E. Bar of Mokihinui River 15 Opotiki, 20 years Presto, 29 years Schooner 38 3 Grass-seed and wool Coal .. Stranded; slight damage Damaged by hurricane ; partial 1 >ss E. to N.E. e. to ; W.N.W. Strong gale Hurricane Thomas Jarvis Blackwell. John McKenzie. 16 Barque.. 384 10 n 23 Queen of the South, s.s., 14 years Ohau, s.s., 7 years Schooner 121 11 Coal .. Stranded ; partial loss E. Light .. ■ The propeller touched the stones when crossing the bar, and broke the propeller-shaft Edward John Harvey. 28 Schooner 411 23 3 Coal Stranded; slight; damage Off Jackson's Head, Cook Strait .. : When passing through channel between beacon and rock, tide caused vessel to graze slightly on beacon rock Andrew Anderson.