AGNES

MY G GRANDFATHER WAS CAPTAIN SMIDT WRECK OF THE AGNES. A court of enquiry, consisting of Mr. B. Ferguson, J.P., and Mr. A, P. Hall, J.P., with Staff Commander F. Howard, K.N., and Captain Wadham, of the ship Murray, nautical assessors, was held at the Marine Board Office on Monday, July 31, to investigate the circumstances connected with the loss of the barque Agnes on the Carpenter Bocks on July 17. The following documents were read:—A letter from Captain Smidt, reporting the casualty, and requesting an investigation; a minute appointing Captain Quin inspector; the report of Captain Quin to Messrs. B. H. Ferguson,' J.P.',and A. P. Hall, J.P.; the request of Messrs. Ferguson and Hall to the Marine Board to appoint nautical assessors; and. the; appointment of Staff-Commander Howard and Captain Wadham as assessors. William Alfred Holland, late chief officer of the Agnes, said—I have held that 29th May. Held an only mate's certificate from the Steam Navigation Board of Victoria. Had been 12 years at sea. .The last voyage was my first as an officer. The Agnes left Newcastle about July 6 with a cargo of coals. She was 216 tons register. On July 16, at noon, was off Cape Otway,15 to;16 miles distant.; At neon on Monday the land was visible with a light breeze from N. and W. and smooth water. The ship's sails and spars were all in good condition. I kept the lug-book. No observations were taken for latitude at noon on Monday. At 10 minutes to 1 on Tuesday morning Cape Northumberland Light was first seen. The weather Was squally, hazy, and thick. I think we were 10 or 15 miles from it. 1 saw the bright and red lights, but did not see the green light. The lead was not used during the night. There was a deep-sea lead and line on board. The line was about 100 to 150 fathoms in length. I had the watch from 12 to 4 a.m. At 12 the course was W. by N. | N., wind S.S.W., speed nine to ten knots; sea lumpy. The 3hip was carrying all plain sail. Kept on that course until 2.30 or 2.45. The light when first seen, bore about N.W. At 2.30 or thereabouts a course of N.W. by W. was steered until 4 a.m. I gave that course to the second officer. I informed the captain when the light was first seen. He did not come up. The course was altered by the captain when I informed him the light was abeam. It would be hearing about N. The captain was not on deck during my watch. The second officer relieved .me at 4 a.m. He had no certificate. "When relieved I went, he low. The light was then dipping in a bearing N.E. by N. I gave the second officer a course of N.W. by N. The laud was not visible About half-past 5 I was in my berth half asleep, when a roller broke on board and burst the window of my cabin. I went on deck. The master was there. About a minute after the roller passed over the ship struck heavily. All sail was set. The morning was dark. About three or four minutes afterwards the mainmast wont over the side. The log was not hove during the middle watch, nor at any time whilst I was on hoard the ship. There was a fishhook on it, and I have seen it used to catch fish. By Comtions for latitude or longitude. The lastwa3 taken at. noon on Sunday. The deep-sea lead was kept in the storeroom, and was not used. The wind at 2.30 was S.S.W., with squally thick weather and showers. At 4 p.m. the weather was the same, while we were squaring yards. At 2;30 a.m. the ship was kept off to NW. for about ten minutes. A log-slate was kept, with the usual columns. I judged the ship to be going about nine- kuoi3 from 12 to 2, and afterwards ten knots. I did not see the chart during the day. When the squalls were over I thought I saw the land. I was left on the wreck. At daylight the ships back appeared broken, with the main hatch burst open. When the ship was bumping the foremast was cut away to ease her. I was 28 hours on the week, the sea making. clean breaches over her. She was hanging with her head to the southward, and the deck towards the shore, I think it was impossible to have done anything to save the vessel. After the masts were cut away, she seemed relieved. By Captain Ferguson—The master was sober. I never saw him the worse for liquor. By Captain Wadham—It did not occur to me that the ship was nearer the shore than she ought to have been. By Commander Howard—Never saw the green light. The heats on hoard were a light dingey and a long boat. By Captain Ferguson—I do not think the longboat was capable of carrying all hands safely ‘in rough water over the rocks which lay between the ship and the shore. The rocks appeared at times above water. By Captain Smidt—I had- no orders from you to keep the ship off whilst trimming the yards. When I joined the ship you said it wa3 not the rule to licave_ the leg. By Captain Ferguson — Ti: 2 captain was called by me and told the ship was being steered N.W. by W., and that the light was dipping. He answered, " All right." He did not come 011 deck before I went below. By Commander Howard—We had a spirit compass in the binnacle which was used for steering. There was a. common .-compass in the same binnacle. They were about a foot apart-. There was no deviation card on board. Albert Adler said—I was boatswain of the Agnes, and acted as second mate. I have been 26 years at sea, but had no certificate. Was nine months on hoard the Agues as boatswain, and always kept the second mate's watch. Everything went well until the ship struck. Have been ten years in the coasting trade, and know some parts of the laud. I do not know what land was seen at.noon.of Monday. About 9 a.m. I asked the captain what laud we had sighted. He said Julia Percy Island. I had the watch that night. The wind was from .the southward, and the speed about seven knots; Did not heave the log. It was a fine night, showery weather with clear intervals. During the intervals we could see 10 or 12 miles' off. She was a smart ship, and would go 12| knots. From 8 till 12 on Monday night she was steering W. by N. \ N-, and I gave this course to the cliief officer. The captain was on deck until 11.30I never saw him drunk. The light was not seen when I went below. I relieved the first mate at 4 a.m. He gave me the course N.W. by \Y. 1' went aft and saw that course was being steered. The wind was about S.S.E. The'yards'were checked in and all sail set. The chief officer did not say he had seen the land. About a quarter-past 4 the captain, who was standing by the companion, said, "I think I see the land." I re plied, "It looks like it." The captain then altered the course to W.N.W. It was then about 20 minutes past 4. About 10 minutes before, what I took to be the reflection of the light bore about E. by S. The first roller cams onboard over the fore chains a few minutes after half-past 4. The captain ran aft to the wheel and put the helm to starboard, and sang out to brace the yards forward; but before that could be done a second roller came and the vessel struck. We neither hove the log norvised, the lead during the first watch. The log was not hove in my watch during the voyage. There was a bag attached to theolog-line. Never saw the deep-sea lead used since I have been in the ship. By Commander Howard—I think the ship ran about six knots from 4 a.m. until she-struck. There was about h or § of a point difference be tween the two compasses on the W.N.W. course. The plain compass would show on this course N.W. by W. h W. I did not see the chart before ^the ship struck. The longboat would have carried twice as many people as the ship’ screw. She was a fine boat, I did not tell the captain that the reflection of the light bore E.by S. at 4 a.m., as I thought the chief mate had given him all particulars. . By Captain Smidt —At 11 o'clock you spoke to me about Cape Bridgewater. It then bore to the eastward of north. -By Captain Ferguson—We steered-W by N. § N. from S till 12. Do not recollect what course was steered from 4 to 6, but think it was W. by S. - . Charles Johns, able seaman, said—I have been 20 years at sea. Was "at. the wheel on Monday afternoon from 4 to 6. The wind was from the southward, and the ship steering W. by S., .weatherly, steering full and bye; I - did" not see- the land between 4 and 6. The ship was going all five- knots Don't recollect seeing the land at 8 p.m." Abctft 10 p.m. saw Cape Nelson, and Cape Bridgewater, about 10 or 12 miles distant! The weather was dark, but I could see the laud plainly enough. Saw Cape Northumberland light at 4 o'clock. About,5 I relieved the mast the wheel for his coffee, and the course he gave me was N.W. by W; I remained at the wheel until the ship struck. The spirit com pass was on the port side of the binnacle, and the common compass on the other. At 4 p.m.' I think the light would- be-about 1 or 1^ points on the starboard- quarter. By Commander Howard—The eotttsd was altered from N.W;by W. to W.N.W. by the second mate's orders.' At- 4 p.m. the ship would be going; over five knots. I don't know whether the yards were braced up.- I think the wind wa3 before the beam. By Captain Wadliam—-"When I relieved the man at the. wheel we were steering' N.W.by T$.,bfc.t could hay® steered W.N.W. From 10 to 12 in the' first watch I steered IV.by S. J S. By Captain' Ferguson—Captain Smidt was on deck all the first watch I did not see him at 5 a.m. Had he been aft, about, the wheel, I would have seen him. Soon-after. 5 !;the- captain7 assisted me to put* the rudder hard down. I think it struck before I got forward to call the men .John Trickett, able seaman, said—-I was at the wheel _ from 6 to 8; the wind was fresh. Was steering full and bye, making a good W. by S. S; course. Did not see the land during that time. The speed was 7 or 8 knots. Could see fully 10 miles between the squalls. I came on deck at midnight, and had the lookout all the watch. Saw the MacDonnell light about l a.m. At 2.30 it was 13 or 14 miles distant. Could just make it out. At 4 a.m. when the watch went below it was thick and squally. B/Commander Howard—The yards were squared in during the middle watch. Could barely see the red light. By Captain Wadham—When relieved at 8, the ship was kept good full steering W.by S. -h S. 1 never saw the captain thew orse for liquor.William-Thomas, able seaman, said—I was on deck during the first watch, and was at the wheel from 8 to 10 p.m. I do not recollect-the course steered. The wind was free from S. and E., and the speed about 9 or 10 knots. Do not recollect what course I gave the man who relieved me. Could just see the land between 8 and 10. Took the wheel again at 4 a.m., and got the course N.W. by W. The wind was nearly aft, and the yards squared in. This course was steered until I was relieved for coffee at 5. When I went to the wheel, I saw the light 14 or 15 miles distant, about one point on the starboard quarter. It kept about the, same hearings until half-past 4. I did not see the captain between 4 and 5. Was taking my coffee when the ship struck. By Captain Wadliam—Whilst at the wheel between 8 and I.-The yards were checked in. John Pink, able seaman, said—I came deck at midnight, and had the wheel from 2 !,o 4. The course I received was W. by N. £N About 3 o'clock the mate gave me N.W., to get the yards braced in. The wind was nearly astern. Steered N.W. from 10 minutes to a quarter of an hour, then N.W. by W. until 4. I am sure I gave the man who relieved me that course. There was a fresh breeze, and the ship was going 11 knots or more. At 2 o'clock the Cape Northumberland light was before the beam. The wind was on the port quarter. At 4 o'clock the light was distinctly visible nearly as tern. The ship was then steering N.W. by ! W. Gave that course to the man who relieved me. Saw the land before 4" o'clock. Judged it about eight miles distance. By Captain Wadham—Told the chief officer I could see the three lights.Eclwarcl Ulseth, able seaman, said—I was iuthe mate's watch oa the morning of the wreckage was at the wheel from 12 till 2. The course given me was W. by N. b N., but she was griping to windward, and" made about W. by N. Steered that course the whole time, and gave the course to Pinks, who relieved me. It was very dark. First saw the light about half past 1. It 'was about five points on the bow. The vessel was going about eight or nine knots, with all sail set. Saw the bright and red lights distinctly, and thought I saw the green one once. Supposed it about 12 or 14 miles off. Did not take notice of it before going below. Steered by the spirit compass. There was generally half a point difference between the two com passes. The course was always given by the spirit compass. Hans Smidt, late master of the Agnes, in reply to Captain Ferguson, said he would like to make a statement with reference to not heaving the log. He said the log was not U3ed because he seldom lost sight of the laud, and could obtain bearings every two hours. On the day before the casualty, from14 to 6 pan.the. vessel was steered W. J S. At 6 they made Julia Percy T-drifted about H. 14 miles. Then steered W. by S.A-S. u >til off Cape Bridgewater above; ten minutes past il,. the; land was seen from 14 to 16 miles distant. From thence steered W. by N". h N. until Cape Northumberland bore N.E. by N. The mate reported how the light was then bearing at 20 minutes to 4, and told him to steer her N.W. by W. Went on deck, but could not see the land. About quarter-past 4 went on deck again. It was then very dark, with - light squalls and rain at intervals. Could not see the land. Went below and referred to the chart, which made the vessel 14 miles from land. Ho went on deck again and said he thought he could see the land .to .leeward, and had no business to see . it. Told the mate to luff Her another point. She then made W.N.W. until we saw the breakers on the weather bow. Ran aft and put the helm hard down; but’ it was too late and she struck, • He always stayed on deck at night in bad weather, hut this night being fine he did not think it necessary.,. He could not form any idea how the ship got into the position she did. The court then adjourned until next morning, when their decision was given as follows:—"The court is of opinion that the loss of the barque Agnes on the morning of the 18th of July, 1876, is directly attributable to the neglect and wilful carelessness, of the master, Hans Smidt, in no adopting the ordinary and seamanlike means for ascertaining the ship's position on the night in question. For such wilful neglect the court adjudge that the certificate of competency of Hans Smidt” be suspended for 12 months from this date."

ViCtorian Humane Society have awarded a silver medal and certificate to William,. Alfred Holland, mariner, of Port Adelaide, for bravery exhibited on the 10th July, 1S7G, when he swam, with a line made fast to his waist, from the vessel Agnes, wrecked at Carpenter's Hocks,: hear Cape Northumber land, South Australia, through a heavy sea, to the lifeboat, distant some fifty yards, and saved the lives of Hans Smidt (captain), Albert Adler, Charles Johns, and Edward Ulseth, seamen of the wrecked vessel.