Wreck Report for 'Azalea' and 'Thomas Dugdale', 1888

(No. 3633.)

"AZALEA" (S.S.) AND "THOMAS DUGDALE" (S.S.)

The Merchant Shipping Acts, 1854 to 1876.

IN the matter of a formal Investigation held at the Corporation Hall, Londonderry, on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th days of October 1888, before RODOLPHUS HARVEY, Esquire, Resident Magistrate, assisted by Captain ALEXANDER PRICE FRENCH and Captain CHARLES H. J. BAKER, into the circumstances attending the damage sustained by the British steamships "AZALEA," of Glasgow, and "THOMAS DUGDALE," of Londonderry, through a collision in Lough Foyle, in the United Kingdom, on or about the 4th day of September 1888.

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 collision was caused through the rash navigation and default of both James Saultry, master of the "Thomas Dugdale," and John Hately, master of the "Azalea," and severely reprimands them, but does not deal with the certificate of either of them. The Court orders that the said James Saultry and the said John Hately do pay to the Solicitor to the Board of Trade the sum of eight pounds each on account of the expenses of this investigation.

Dated this 6th day of October 1888.

 

(Signed)

R. HARVEY, Judge.

We concur in the above report.

 

(Signed)

A. P. FRENCH,

Assessors.

 

 

C. H. J. BAKER,

 

Annex to the Report.

The "Azalea" (official No. 78,646) is an iron screw steamer, built in 1878 by A. and J. Inglis, at Point-house, Glasgow, in the county of Lanark. Her gross tonnage is 706.49, and her registered tonnage 286.4. The following are her dimensions-Length, 217.6; main breadth, 30.2; depth of hold, 15.1. She is propelled by two compound-inverted direct-acting engines of 200 horse-power, is fitted as a passenger ship, and has a passengers' certificate from the Board of Trade. She is the property of the Glasgow, Dublin, and Londonderry Steampacket Company, Limited, of Robertson Street, Glasgow, of which company Mr. Alexander Allen Laird, of 52, Robertson Street, Glasgow, was appointed manager on the 12th of November 1885.

From the evidence submitted on behalf of the Board of Trade, it appeared that the "Azalea" sailed from Glasgow, bound for Londonderry, on the evening of the 3rd of September 1888. Her crew consisted of twenty-four hands all told, and she was under the command of Mr. John Hately, who holds a certificate of competency as master of a Home Trade passenger ship (No.102,038). Her draft of water was 10 ft. 1 in. forward, and 13 ft. 3 in. aft. She had on board a general cargo, and about fifty cabin and steerage passengers. The "Azalea" passed the Clock Light at 9.55 p.m. on the 3rd of September, and arrived off Innishowen, at the entrance to Lough Foyle, about 6.20 on the morning of the 4th., proceeding up the Lough at full speed. The weather was fine and clear at the time, the wind being light from the westward. The ship reached Moville at 6.45, it being then broad daylight. There were on board some passengers for that place, and the steamer stopped to land them. She afterwards proceeded on her course towards Londonderry. In obedience to Bye-law 44 of the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners, she slowed her engines when passing a dredger that was in the Lough, and then proceeded on her course at full speed, putting on all pressure. The Court was informed that between Redcastle and Whitecastle the paddle-steamer "Thomas Dugdale" was following the "Azalea," pressing hard upon her, and gradually gaining ground; that the "Azalea" kept on her way on the port side of the channel, and that the two vessels were abreast of each other before she arrived at Ture Light; that the "Azalea" steamed close to the red perch on the south side of the channel; and that the "Thomas Dugdale" pressed the "Azalea" so closely on the starboard side, that her master, fearing a collision, stopped and reversed his engines to allow the "Thomas Dugdale" to pass. In less than half a minute from the time this was done the two ships collided. The "Thomas Dugdale," however, continued at full speed, without stopping, until she reached Londonderry. The back-wash from the paddles of the "Thomas Dugdale" caused the "Azalea" to swing across the stream as soon as her engines were stopped; but when the road was clear she put her helm to starboard, turned ahead, and steamed into port.

The "Thomas Dugdale" is an iron paddle-steamer, and was built at Hebburn, in Durham, by Andrew Leslie, in 1873. Her official number is 68,620, and she is registered at Londonderry. Her gross tonnage is 1010.52, and her registered tonnage 382.26. Her dimensions are as follows:-Length, 260.55; breadth, 30.3; depth of hold, 15.8. She is propelled by four compound direct-acting diagonal oscillating engines, of 300 horsepower, is fitted as a passenger ship, and holds a passengers' certificate from the Board of Trade. Her owners are the Irish Traders Co-operative Steamship Company, Limited, of 27, William Street, Londonderry; the managing owner being Mr. Michael M'Daid, of that place.

On the evening of the 3rd of September 1888, the "Thomas Dugdale" left Glasgow for Londonderry with a general cargo, live stock, and fifty-nine passengers. She was commanded by Mr. James Saultry, who holds a certificate of competency as master of a Home Trade passenger ship (No. 101,556), and had on board a crew of twenty-eight hands, all told. Her draft of water was 10 ft. 6 in. forward, and 11 ft. 7 in. aft. She passed the Clock Light at 10.5 p.m. on the 3rd of September, and arrived off Innishowen Head at 6 a.m. on the following morning. It appears from the evidence given on the part of the owners and master of the "Thomas Dugdale" that she had some cargo and one passenger for Moville; but she did not stop to land them. The reason assigned for this was, that the passenger had no ticket or pass, and would not pay his fare. Seeing the "Azalea" ahead, the master of the "Thomas Dugdale" proceeded onwards under a full head of steam, and at Redcastle he had arrived within 100 feet of her. At Drung Chapel he had got his quarter abreast of the "Azalea's" bow, and from this point every effort was made to get ahead of her. He did not even slow when he was passing the dredger, as required by Bye-law 44 of the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners. The race continued until the two ships arrived above Ture Light, when the "Azalea" sheered into the port sponson of the "Thomas Dugdale," and after rebounding struck her a second blow abreast of the saloon bulwarks. The "Azalea" then stopped her engines and dropped astern, the "Thomas Dugdale" proceeding to Londonderry at full speed.

At the conclusion of the evidence, Mr. B. H. Lane (solicitor) submitted the following questions on which the Board of Trade requested the opinion of the Court:-

1. Whether there was any racing, or attempt at racing, on the part of the masters of these vessels?

2. Whether the masters, or either of them, were justified in navigating the vessels so as to approach each other so closely in narrow water, as to be unable to pass clear of one another?

3. Whether the master of the "Thomas Dugdale" overhauled and passed, or attempted to pass, the "Azalea" in a narrow channel, and, if so, whether he was justified in so overhauling and passing, or attempting to pass, the "Azalea," and whether upon approaching her, so as to involve risk of collision, he was justified in neglecting to reduce the speed of his vessel?

4. Whether the masters of both vessels complied with Bye-law 42 of the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners' Bye-laws?

5. Whether both vessels were navigated with proper and seamanlike care?

6. Whether both, or either of the vessels were materially damaged?

7. Whether the masters of both vessels, or either of them, is in default?

The Board of Trade are of opinion that the certificates of the masters should be dealt with.

The solicitors for all the parties to the proceedings having been heard on behalf of the respective clients, the Court answered the questions as follows:-

1. In the opinion of the Court the two ships were racing.

2. Neither of the masters were justified in allowing their vessels to get into such close proximity to each other.

3. The master of the "Thomas Dugdale" did overhaul, and was passing the "Azalea" in a narrow channel without reducing his speed, and in such a manner as to involve risk of collision. In so doing he disobeyed Article 18 of the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. The Court considers he was not justified in doing so.

4. The master of the "Thomas Dugdale" did not comply with the Bye-law 42 of the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners' Bye-laws.

5. Up to the time of passing Moville both masters appear to have carefully navigated their vessels; but from that time forward they began to measure their speed against each other in a channel that was gradually becoming narrower. The Court considers that when doing this they were not navigating with proper and seamanlike care.

6. Neither of the vessels was materially damaged.

7. The Court considers that both James Saultry, master of the "Thomas Dugdale," and John Hately, master of the "Azalea," are in default, and severely reprimands them, but does not deal with the certificate of either of them.

The Court orders that the said James Saultry and the said John Hately do pay to the Solicitor to the Board of Trade the sum of 8l. each, on account of the expenses of this investigation.

Given under our hands at the Corporation Hall,

Londonderry, this sixth day of October 1888, at

2.30 p.m.

 

(Signed)

R. HARVEY, Judge.

We concur.

 

(Signed)

A. P. FRENCH,

Assessors.

 

 

C. H. J. BAKER,

 

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1888.

Price Twopence.

54010-138. 375.-10/88. Wt. 23. E & S.