11

was then going about nine knots per hour
(36 or 38 revolutions), three-quarter speed.
I have since examined the engines and am of
opinion that they have not sustained any
injury. The second engineer, who was in
charge of the engines at the time, has left
the vessel. He was in no way to blame,
having obeyed the orders given to him.

RANDLE BOARDMAN.

Declared before me at
Wellington, 24th Aug.,
1863.

CHARLES SHARP,
M.W.C.M.B., J.P.

Nelson, 1st September, 1863.

SIR,—In my opinion the "Lady Bird," on
her passage from Port Chalmers to Dunedin,
on the 24th July, grounded in consequence
of having left the former place after dark,
and without the assistance of a Pilot.

The Captain’s evidence states the channel
to be insufficiently buoyed, rocky, and that
the lead would be little or no guide to steam-
vessels. I am, therefore, further of opinion,
that the vessel should not have left Port
Chalmers after dark, and that the Captain is
alone blameable for the accident; he also
should have reported the circumstances to
the Marine Board there. The fact of the
vessel having run on rocks at the rate of four
knots with tide, is of sufficient importance
to do so.

R. JOHNSON,
Inspector of Steamers.

To Captain Sharp,
President of Marine Board.

The Chief Officer, who wrote the log-book
has since left the vessel.

FREDERICK RENNER,
Master S.S. "Lady Bird."
Declared before me at
Wellington, 24th Aug.,
1863.

CHARLES SHARP,
M.W.C.M.B., J.P.

William Seymour, now Chief Officer of
the "Lady Bird," was second officer on the
24th July.—When the vessel grounded on
her passage from Port Chalmers to Dunedin
her rate was about four knots per hour. The
shock was rather severe. Remember sounding
and having eight feet of water under the
port main channel. The vessel lay aground
about an hour, and was taken off over the
bank by means of an anchor ahead and
engine. Our position when aground was
about 230 feet from the shore at a point
called McAndrew’s Bay. Did not think the
vessel had sustained any injury, and she has
not made any water since. I was attending
to Captain Renner’s directions at the wheel.
The lead was not kept going. It was not
generally used.

WILLIAM SEYMOUR,
Chief Officer.

Captain Renner continued:—The lead is
not used excepting in thick weather. Do not
think it is a guide for steam vessels. There
are buoys and beacons, but not sufficient in
my judgment to indicate the channel at all
points. Do not think the vessel would have
been out of the channel had it been daylight.
Was misled by the glare of the moon on the
water.

FREDERICK RENNER,
Master S.S. "Lady Bird."
Declared before me at
Wellington, 24th Aug.,
1863.

CHARLES SHARP,
M.W.C.M.B., J.P.

Evidence of Frederick Renner, Master of the
s.s. "Lady Bird," relative to that vessel
grounding near Port Chalmers.

Present:
Captains Sharp and Johnson, President
and Members of Marine Board.

Frederick Renner states:—On the 24th
July, on the passage from Port Chalmers to
Dunedin, at 8.30 p.m., the vessel grounded
on a hard bottom, going at the rate of four
knots per hour, drawing nine feet of water
aft. Had seven and a half feet at least of
water alongside. An anchor was taken
ahead, and with the use of tide, of about 18
inches, the vessel was taken over the bank.
The shock in taking the ground was trifling
but perceptible. Had no pilot on board.
Have frequently taken the vessel both to
Dunedin and back without accident. Do
not know whether the Harbour Regulations
require a pilot to be taken. Did not think
any damage was done to the vessel, having
sounded all the compartments and found the
vessel tight. Did not report the grounding
of the vessel to the Inspector of Steam
Vessels, not knowing it was necessary, or it
being a matter of sufficient importance.

The log-book corroborates this statement
with the exception of calling the bank rocks.

Randle Boardman, Chief Engineer of the
"Lady Bird," on the 24th July.—Was in
charge of the engines on the 24th July. Re-
member the vessel grounding near Dunedin.
Had proceeded at half speed after leaving
Port Chalmers. Was going slow quarter of
an hour before taking the ground. Felt the
vessel touching the ground but not a severe
shock. The engines were partially stopped
from three quarters of an hour to an hour,
when they were set in motion again at half
speed. Tried astern at the same rate. After
a while the vessel was got afloat, but the
steam was not used at more than half power.
The engines were not, in my opinion, damaged.
I went with the carpenter to sound the
compartments, and found the vessel did not leak.

RANDLE BOARDMAN.

Declared before me at
Wellington, 24th Aug.,
1863.

CHARLES SHARP,
M.W.C.M.B., J.P.

G. G. Gazette,
No. 55, Oct. 27, 1863.