Wreck Report for 'Lois', 1881

(No. 1047.)

BARQUE "LOIS."

REPORT of a Court of Inquiry held in the Magistrate's Office, Port Elizabeth, on the 17th May 1881, to ascertain the particulars of a casualty to the barque "Lois," John Lewis, master, while on a voyage from the Mauritius to New York with a cargo of sugar.

The Court, having heard the evidence of the boatswain and the man at the wheel, and considered the written statement of the master, together with the account in the ship's logbook, is of opinion that the casualty to the "Lois" was entirely due to the violence of the wind and sea on the 8th and 9th of May when off Cape L'Agulhas, and while lying to under lower main topsail several seas broke on board, carrying away the whole of the bulwarks and stanchions on the starboard side, smashing the galley and longboats, and clearing the deck of everything moveable, and not to the wrongful act or default of the master or crew, who did all in their power to preserve the cargo from injury, by repairing the damage caused by the broken stanchions and the ring and eye bolts drawn out of the decks.

As the vessel had taken in a considerable quantity of water, by which the cargo was damaged, the Court is of opinion that the master was fully justified in seeking the nearest port for repairs, and for the preservation of the sound portion of his cargo. His certificate, No. 12,218, is therefore returned to him.

 

(Signed)

ALFRED WYLDE, Resident Magistrate.

 

 

F. SKEAD, Assessor.

 

18th May 1881.

Approved.

 

(Signed)

L. SMYTH, Lieut. General, Deputy Governor.

Cape Town, 3rd June 1881.

L 367. 817. 70.—7/81. Wt. 203. E. & S.