Wreck Report for 'Aethelred', 1881

(No. 1036.)

"AETHELRED."

FINDING of a Naval Court held at the British Consulate, Talcahuano, on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd days of April 1881, into the loss of the British barque "AETHELRED" through collision with the American barque "Jacob A. Howland" off Cape Horn on the 29th March 1881.

Present:

JOHN J. COVEY, Esq., Staff-Commander of H.M. ship "Triumph," President.

FREDERIC ELTON, Esq., H.B.M. Vice-Consul at Talcahuano,

JAMES JAMES, Esq., Master of British ship "Iron Crown,"

ROBERT MCLAREN, Esq., Master of British ship "Iona,"

H. COFFILL, Esq., Master of British ship "J. W. Holmes," Members.

Mr. FREDERIC JAMES HAYTER, Secretary's Clerk H.M.S. "Triumph," as Clerk of the Court.

The Court, pursuant to an order from Frederick Henry Stirling, Esquire, Rear-Admiral in Her Majesty's Fleet and Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's ships and vessels on the Pacific Station, having been duly sworn, proceeded to investigate the circumstances attending the loss of the British ship "Aethelred," official number 76,258.

The Court, having very carefully weighed and considered the evidence, are unanimously of opinion that the master, Mr. George Dunn, officers, and crew of the late British ship "Aethelred" are in no way to blame for the collision that occurred on the night of the 29th March 1881 with the American barque "Jacob A. Howland," and they give their opinion in accordance with the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, issued in pursuance of the Order in Council published in the London Gazette of the 19th August 1879, and that came into force on the 1st September 1880.

Taking into consideration the great damage the ship had received, the high southern latitude the ship was in, the very sudden changes of weather that are experienced in those latitudes, the ship labouring very heavily through the high sea that was running, and the collision being at night time, the Court are unanimously of opinion that the master, Mr. George Dunn, was justified in abandoning the ship, as we consider the ship could not have been saved under any circumstances. Nevertheless, the Court cannot help expressing its opinion that the master, Mr. George Dunn, ought to have gone into the hold himself and personally examined the damage done; also, that he might have utilized the services of the crew to a much greater extent before finally abandoning the ship.

The master's certificate of competency to be returned to him.

The Court is also of opinion that great praise is due to Captain Handy, of the American barque "Jacob A. Howland," for the way in which a portion of the "Aethelred's" crew were rescued, and for the kind treatment they received from the officers and crew of the "Howland" till their arrival at Talcahuano, a period of 16 days. The Court declares the costs of the proceedings to be as follows:—

 

£

s.

d.

To Mr. Robert McLaren, master of British ship "Iona," for each day on which the Court sat, 3 days at 2l. 2s. per diem

6

6

0

Mr. H. Coffill, master of British ship "J. W. Holmes," for each day on which the Court sat, 3 days at 2l. 2s. per diem

6

6

0

Mr. J. James, master of British ship "Iron Crown," for each day on which the Court sat, 3 days at 2l. 2s. per diem

6

6

0

Mr. F. J. Hayter, clerk of the Court, for each day on which the Court sat, 3 days at 1l. 10s.

4

10

0

The master - at - arms of H. M. S. "Triumph," for acting as provost marshal of the Court, for each day on which the Court sat, 3 days at 5s. per diem

0

15

0

Boat hire

0

4

8

 

----------------------

 

24

7

8

which sum of 24l. 7s. 8d. is to be paid by Mr. Elton, Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at Talcahuano, and charged in his account to the Board of Trade.

Owing to the log of the "Aethelred" having been lost in the wreck, a copy of this finding of the Court has not been entered therein.

Given under our hands, at the British Consulate at Talcahuano, this twenty-second day of April, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.

 

(Signed)

J. J. COVEY, Staff Commander, H.M.S. "Triumph."

 

 

F. ELTON, Her Majesty's Vice-Consul, Talcahuano.

 

 

ROBERT McLAREN, Master of British ship "Iona."

 

 

HARRIS COFFILL, Master of British ship "J. W. Holmes."

 

 

J. JAMES, Master of British ship "Iron Crown."

 

 

F. J. HAYTER, Clerk of the Court.

L 367. 806. 70.—6/81. Wt. 203. E. & S.