Wreck Report for 'Llama', 1881

(No. 972.)

"LLAMA." (S.S.)

The Merchant Shipping Acts, 1854 to 1876.

IN the matter of a formal Investigation held at the County Buildings, Glasgow, on the 5th and 6th days of April, 1881, before JAMES GRAHAM and ALEXANDER GLEN COLLINS, Esquires, two of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for Lanarkshire, assisted by Captains HENRY HARRIS and EDWARD HIGHT, Nautical Assessors, into the circumstances attending the stranding of the British steamship "Llama," of Glasgow.

Report of Court.

The Court, having carefully inquired into the circumstances attending the above-mentioned shipping casualty, finds, for the reasons stated in the annex hereto, that a proper course was set by the master from Garmoyle, and he made, to the best of his judgment, proper allowance for wind and tide, with the view of taking shelter under the lee of the land; that the speed of the vessel, considering the state of the weather, was moderate, and under proper control; that, under the circumstances, it would have been more prudent to have taken a cast of the lead; that the look-out was placed in a proper position; that the vessel was navigated with proper and seamanlike care; that neither the master nor the first mate is in default; that the vessel was materially damaged by the stranding, but was subsequently got off, and is now in port.

The Court makes no order as to costs.

Dated at Glasgow this 6th day of April, 1881.

 

(Signed)

JAMES GRAHAM,

Justices

 

 

A. G. COLLINS,

 

We concur in the above report.

 

(Signed)

HENRY HARRIS,

Assessors.

 

 

EDWARD HIGHT,

 

Annex to the Report.

The "Llama" was an iron screw steamer, built at Greenock, in the county of Renfrew, in the year 1865. She was registered at the Port of Glasgow, of 686.78 gross, and 391.32 registered tonnage.

She was owned by Mr. John Burns, of Jamaica Street, Glasgow, and was under the command of Mr. Dugald McPherson, who holds a certificate of competency, No. 100,010.

The "Llama" left Belfast at 8.35 p.m. on 3rd of March bound for Glasgow, manned by a crew of 31 hands, all told, a small general cargo of about 10 tons, and no passengers. Her draught of water was stated to be 9.9 aft, and 8.6 forward. At 10 p.m. the same evening the patent log was put over off Blackhead, and the tide being then flood, and the wind from S.E. threatening, a course was shaped E.N.E., allowing for both wind and tide, to make Corsewall Light, the master very prudently wishing to get into shelter under the land, and so await for finer weather to proceed on his voyage.

The wind increased, after leaving the Loch of Belfast, to a severe gale, accompanied by blinding snow storms. The most vigilant look-out for the land was kept, and the master, conceiving that he had run his distance, was in the act of telegraphing to the engine room to stop the engines, when high land was suddenly seen right ahead, and simultaneously with the order to stop the vessel stranded on the bold coast of Wigtonshire.

The master ordered rockets to be fired, but these signals failed to bring assistance, and at daylight two messengers were dispatched for the same purpose, but they also failed, the snow being too deep to enable them at that time to proceed. Subsequently the little cargo there was on board was sent to Glasgow, but the sea and the weather remained too boisterous to make any attempt to get the vessel off. Eventually she was floated and taken in safely to Strauraer.

At the conclusion of the evidence, Mr. Douglas, on the part of the Board of Trade, submitted to the Court the following questions, and stated that the Board of Trade were of opinion that the certificates of the master and mate should be dealt with:—

Whether a safe and proper course was set and steered after passing Garmoyle, and whether due and proper allowances were made for tide, wind, and currents?

Whether, considering the state of the weather, the speed the vessel was kept going at was justifiable?

Whether, having regard to the state of the weather, the not using of the lead was justifiable?

Whether the look-out was placed in a proper position?

Whether the vessel was navigated with proper and seamanlike care?

Whether the master and first mate are, or either of them is, in default? and

Whether the vessel, in consequence of the stranding, was materially damaged?

These questions are answered in the report.

L 367. 742. 150.—4/81. Wt. 203. E. & S.