Wreck Report for 'Amy Robsart', 1881

(No. 1083.)

"AMY ROBSART."

FINDING of a Court of Inquiry held at the Police Office, Torquay, Tasmania, on the 8th and 22nd June, 1881, before HENRY DOUGLAS, Esquire, Police Magistrate, and PETER THOMPSON, Nautical Assessor, relative to the stranding of the brigantine "AMY ROBSART," at the River Don, on the 23rd May 1881.

The evidence shows:—

1. That the brigantine "Amy Robsart" left the River Don on the 22nd May 1881, bound for the River Forth.

2. That Edward Taylor, holding a certificate of service No. 11. issued at Hobart, was master of the said vessel, of 95 tons burthen.

3. That not being able to enter the River Forth he put back and fetched the Don Bluff, and about 2 or 3 o'clock on the morning of the 23rd ran into the River Don, and on going in the rudder chain on the starboard side broke, and the vessel becoming unmanageable was stranded.

4. That the vessel had only 6 tons of ballast on board, and the crew consisted of two men and a boy besides the master.

The Court therefore find, that the stranding of the said vessel was caused by the wrongful acts and default of the master, Edward Taylor, in not having a sufficient crew on board, and the requisite ballast according to the tonnage of the said vessel; and accordingly direct—

1. That the certificate of the said Edward Taylor be suspended for a period of six months from this date.

2. That the said Edward Taylor shall pay the costs of this inquiry, amounting to 3l. 19s.

HENRY DOUGLAS, Police Magistrate.

As Nautical Assessor I concur in the above Finding,

PETER THOMPSON, Nautical Assessor.

Police Office, Torquay, 22nd June 1881.

L 367. 853. 70.—8/81. Wt. 203. E. & S.