Wreck Report for 'Acacia', 1881

(No. 1077.)

"ACACIA."

The Merchant Shipping Acts, 1854 to 1876.

IN the matter of a formal Investigation held at the Board Room of the Sunderland Union Offices, John Street, Bishopwearmouth, in the Borough of Sunderland, on the 16th and 17th days of August 1881, before JOHN JAMES KAYLL and JOSEPH NORMAN WILSON, Esquires, two of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace acting in and for the said Borough of Sunderland, assisted by Captains WARD and HARLAND, into the circumstances attending the stranding of the British sailing ship "ACACIA" on a rock in Zanzibar Channel on the 30th day of December 1880.

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 the "Acacia" stranded on a reef near to Zanzibar, which reef does not appear to be accurately marked on the Admiralty chart. The Court do not find the master, Mr. James Henderson, in fault for such stranding.

Dated this 17th day of August 1881.

 

(Signed)

JOHN J. KAYLL,

Judges.

 

 

J. N. WILSON,

 

We concur in the above report.

 

(Signed)

GEO. WM. WARD,

Assessors.

 

 

ROBERT HARLAND,

 

Annex to the Report.

The "Acacia" was built at Newcastle-on-Tyne in the year 1863, her official number was 44,528, she was registered at Sunderland, and was of the registered tonnage of 391 tons. She was 128 feet 9 tenths in length, 27 feet 6 tenths in breadth, and 17 feet 6 tenths depth of hold. She was owned by Mr. Cuthbert Hodgson, of Sunderland, and others. Mr. Hodgson was the managing owner, and she was -under the command of Mr. James Henderson, who holds a certificate of competency, No. 6,361. The "Acacia" sailed from Cochin, bound to London, on the 30th day of November 1880, laden with a cargo of cocoa-nut oil and fibre, in all about 375 tons. She had a crew of 13 hands all told; her draft of water was 13 feet 1 inch forward, and 14 feet 1 inch aft. The vessel was then in good condition and well found, except that when she left Cochin the fresh water tank appears to have been leaking slightly; but the evidence as to a leak was very conflicting; the tank was carefully examined by the carpenter whilst at Cochin, and nothing indicating a leak could be discovered. After being at sea nine or ten days it was discovered that about 6 inches of water had leaked out of the tank; this leaking continued, and about the twentieth day after leaving Cochin there was only 11 inches of water left in the tank; part of the water, however, had been used for the necessary purposes of the ship. The master then decided to bear up for Zanzibar, that being the nearest port, in his opinion, where he could obtain a fresh supply of water. The east side of Zanzibar was made on the 30th of December, and about noon the vessel was off the island of Kwale, two or three miles distant. At about 2 p.m. she was abreast the island of Mwamba Ukombi, about two miles distant, the wind at that time being variable. It. appeared to be the intention of the master to pass inside the island, and go between it and the mainland, and for that purpose the vessel's head was brought round to the eastward. She took the ground forward: all sail was hove back, and after remaining on the ground four or five minutes the vessel backed off, and when paying off before the wind she again took the ground and remained fast, the tide at that time being about one hour ebb; the master immediately sounded around the vessel, and found deepest water under the starboard side and aft. The vessel remained fast until about 3 a.m. of the 31st December, when, with the aid of a kedge and her own sails, she was got off, and taken to Zanzibar, where she arrived on the 2nd of January 1881. She was there beached and surveyed, and condemned as being unseaworthy.

Whilst the ship was on the ground, the master states that he took bearings, and that Chumbe Island bore N.W. by N., Kwale Island S.E., and the end of Mwamba Ukombi Island N.E. 1/2 E. or N.E. 1/2 N., he was not certain which.

At the conclusion, Mr. de Hamel, on behalf of the Board of Trade, submitted the following questions, and desired the opinion of the Court thereon:—

1. What was the cause of the stranding of the "Acacia" on a reef in Zanzibar Channel on the 30th of December 1880?

2. Whether James Henderson, the master, was justified in neglecting to have the water tank repaired before leaving Cochin?

3. What was the object of the master in bearing up for Zanzibar; and whether, in the circumstances stated, it was the most convenient port at which he could repair his tank and procure a supply of water for the voyage?

4. Whether safe and proper courses were set and steered after passing round the south part of the island of Zanzibar, and whether due and proper allowance was made for tide and currents?

5. Whether the master was acquainted with the navigation of Zanzibar Channel, and if not, whether he was justified in proceeding up the channel without obtaining assistance?

6. Whether the reef upon which the vessel stranded is properly marked on the Admiralty chart?

7. Whether the lead was hove with sufficient frequency, and whether proper heed was paid to the soundings obtained? and

8. Whether the vessel was navigated with proper and seamanlike care?

Answers to the foregoing Questions.

1. Running on to a reef not accurately shown upon the chart.

2. The tank was very carefully examined before leaving Cochin and no cause for leaking could be found.

3. For the purpose of obtaining a fresh supply of water. The Court thinks that, under the circumstances, the master was justified in making for Zanzibar.

4. No courses were given to the Court; the master appears to have been beating up for the inner pass, and with due caution.

5. The master was acquainted with the navigation of Zanzibar Channel, having been there before. He could not have obtained assistance, as none was available, he being outside the limit of the pilot ground.

6. See answer to question No. 1.

7. The lead appears to have been hove with sufficient frequency, and proper heed paid to the soundings.

8. Yes.

 

(Signed)

JOHN J. KAYLL.

 

 

J. N. WILSON.

 

 

GEO. WM. WARD.

 

 

ROBERT HARLAND.

L 367. 847. 150.—8/81 Wt. 203. E. & S.