Wreck Report for 'Lady Darling', 1881

(No. 1094.)

"LADY DARLING."

REPORT and Finding of the Marine Board of Queensland upon the circumstances attending the loss of the Schooner "LADY DARLING" upon the Island of Mallicolo, one of the New Hebrides Group.

The Board having heard the evidence of the master, the first mate, and the man at the wheel at the time of the casualty to the "Lady Darling," a schooner of 108 tons register, owned by William Wilson, Esq., of Brisbane, and commanded by Mr. Donald McDougall, who holds a foreign-going master's certificate of service, No. 250, from the Marine Board of New South Wales, find that on the morning of the 7th March last the "Lady Darling" was off Port Sandwich, standing off and on shore waiting for daylight to enter the port, for the purpose of procuring wood and water, and also to recruit laborers. About 5 a.m. on that date the vessel was heading in-shore with the topsail to the mast, when the helmsman reported to Mr. Harwood, the mate, whose watch it was, that he heard breakers, and shortly afterwards the mate also heard them. He then called the master, who came on deck immediately and gave orders to fill the yards. By this time the breakers were close to, and an attempt was made to stay the vessel, but the wind being too light, she missed stays, and the vessel soon afterwards struck the reef. The bower anchor was at once let go, and a quantity of cable payed out; and shortly afterwards a heavy kedge anchor was ran out, but the warp soon parted, and, the hawse-pipe breaking, the cable cut the vessel down to the wood ends.

At 9 a.m., being near high water, the vessel floated, and sail was made, but before any way could be gathered on her she fell broadside on to the reef, and eventually became a total wreck.

Part of her sails, stores, and gear were landed without any further casualty.

The master, in his evidence, stated that when he visited the same locality in the previous January he found that the flood tide set him to the northward, but on the morning of the wreck the flood tide had apparently set him in the opposite direction, viz., to the southward, and to this cause the master attributes the loss of the "Lady Darling."

The Board, having carefully considered the evidence taken, are of opinion that there was a want of caution displayed by Captain McDougall in the navigation of the ' Lady Darling," his vessel being, just previous to the casualty, headed into a shore fringed with a dangerous reef. They consider that he should have remained on deck till daylight, or otherwise have headed his vessel off-shore. With regard to the first mate, Mr. Harwood, who was in charge of the deck, they consider that he displayed a great want of promptness and decision when the breakers were first heard. It, however, appears that he was suffering from illness at the time, and unable to attend to his duty in a proper manner. This also threw extra work on to Captain McDougall, for which the Board make due allowance, and they caution both Captain McDougall and Mr. Harwood to be more careful in future, and they are cautioned accordingly.

 

(Signed)

F. H. HART, Vice-Chairman.

Marine Board Office, Brisbane, 19th April 1881.

L 367. 864. 70.—9/81. Wt. 203. E. & S.