HistoryFannyM

The Marine Board held an enquiry at Port Adelaide on Friday, and Saturday as to the stranding and burning of the Fanny M. at Kangaroo Island recently. There were present — President Ferguson, Wardens Smith, McCoy, Legoe, and Neill, and the Secretary.

Samuel Henry Stockton, master of the Fanny M., barque, said the owners were Messrs. Causey, James Stirling, Oliver Henry, Jarvis Wilson, Thomas Mitchell, and himself. Had a master's certificate from Liverpool, but it was burnt. Left Newcastle on May 6. First made land near southernmost land to west of Cape Willoughby, and went west about round Cape Borda on Wednesday and Thursday last week. On Saturday, 13th, had north-east gale of wind, and stood on starboard tack for Kangaroo Island. At 7 a.m. Sunday Cape Borda was bearing south-east about three or four miles, wind north-west, weather thick, and vessel heading up north-north-east. Then stood to north and east, and made the Althorpes. About noon on Sunday was about two miles off Althorpes, and wore ship. About 3 o'clock made Cape Borda again, about eight miles distant, and saw the lighthouse. Put about again, and made Althorpes at 7 on Sunday evening, wind blowing hard from same point. Stood to southward again, and furled everything. On Monday, at 8, made Cape Mesina, bearing south about two miles off, the wind still north-west. At a few minutes past 1 p.m., Monday, passed Point Marsden, about one mile off, but weather was very thick. The vessel took the ground at 1.20 p.m. on Monday, 15th. She did not go any higher up after. It was high water about 4 o'clock. Kingscote was south by north from where the vessel was stranded, and Point Marsden bore north-west half-north. Could not see the sandspit. Had 6 fathoms water on heaving the lead. Hove lead about twelve times between Point Marsden and the spot where she grounded. Had 6 fathoms about two minutes before she stranded. She was going about four knots an hour. Could only account for the water by the high tide. The ship was well found in sails and gear. Was misled by the high tide, and could not see the sandspit. Had never been at that anchorage before. Had no trouble with the crew; every man did his duty. There were twelve hands on board all told, and they were sufficient to work the ship. He had insured twenty-four shares for £1,200 in Sydney. Insured his interest in the voyages for six months, and the policy expired on June 18 and was not kept paid. With regard to men not sending the boat off, some of the men said it was a mistake in the signals. Could not account for the fire, and had no reason to suspect foul play. The boats had four oars each when the ship left to Newcastle. The three boats were carried bottom up. The oars were lashed to thwarts. Left the ship at 9.30 on the 16th. As soon as she grounded, threw 50 or 60 tons of coal to lighten her to try and get her off next tide. Had let out the star board anchor and 15 fathoms of chain. On the voyage she made very little water; three minutes every hour kept her clear. All the crew were new hands but the steward and the carpenter. Took the bearings him self, and hove the lead. After making Port Marsden, one mile to south, was entirely dependent on lead and course steered. Went ashore in a lighter about 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning to lodge a protest, and left instructions with the chief officer to send a boat for him at 1 o'clock, but he did not do so. Made signals for a boat. The reply was “No boat on board,” and then, “Cannot send a boat.” Then signalled “Why?” and they answered, “Crew sick.” Did not go off that night. The crew were not sick when he left the ship. Got on board next morning about 9.30. Was told of fire at daylight on Tuesday morning by the hotelkeeper. The cabin was all on the main deck. Had the after cabin for his own use; that was divided from the other part by a partition. There were no stores under the cabin. The lazarette was abaft the cabin that he occupied. There was no fire or stove in the cabin. Oil, paint, ropes, sails, and tar were in the storeroom. The ship had never been afire before. Never had any explosion. The steward, carpenter, and chief officer had access to the cabin. The binnacle could not be got at from the outside without breaking the glass. Could see the fire about abreast of the mizen. There were kerosine lamps in the pantry and the mate's room. Got alongside the vessel about 9.30, and found her afire up to the mainmast. From the break of the poop to the stern it was equally burning. No one was trying to extinguish the fire, but the men were saving all they could. Had not heard of any grog being put aboard. The mate was sober. The crew of the Dolphin assisted his own men. Found her hopelessly burnt, for the fire had too great a hold. The vessel rolled a good deal after grounding.

Edward Kavanagh, chief officer, said he had a master's certificate issued in Cork. Was a stranger in these waters. Assisted in navigating the ship round, and kept the log. The captain took the observations. Had been master of a ship during two voyages. The captain went by his instruments and charts. Was from Saturday till Monday night with out carrying any sail. Had very bad weather all through the voyage. She did not make much water. She was tight and seaworthy in every respect. Had a deep-sea lead on board, and used it two or three times. Had two hand-leads on board. She grounded very easily, almost imperceptibly, as if on to a sloping beach. She was going from 4 to 5 knots an hour. The ship was drawing 17 ft. 6 in. After grounding, the starboard anchor was let go. She steered round partly. Did not see the lead hove that morning. The ship rolled considerably for a while, and then settled down. Could not have carried an anchor out, but some of the cargo was thrown overboard, the crew working at it all night, watch by watch. The captain went ashore at 9 o'clock on Tuesday, and said that a boat was to be sent for him. Could not get a crew to man her, the men all saying that they were sick with exposure and hard work. There were two men and the carpenter willing to go, but they thought they were unable to take the boat ashore. The carpenter took the second mate's watch. The signals from the shore were “Send immediate assistance.” Answered, “Crew sick.” The captain did not come off that night, and set an anchor-watch. At 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning the Dolphin anchored close to the Fanny, and her captain came aboard, and said he wanted to see the captain about getting the ship off. Told him the captain was ashore, so he went on his own steamer. There was no spirits on board. Was called by the carpenter crying, “Fire, fire,” and saw flames issuing out of the skylight. The binnacle lamp was lit that right to see if the tide would rise, and the ship move her position. The steward trimmed the lamp. It was impossible to get to the binnacle from the outside without breaking the glass. Called all hands and manned the pump, but the door of the cabin was opened to get some of the things cut, and the rush of air had the whole thing in a blaze, and they were driven away. The pump was a double action stationary one. Had no suspicion of any one firing the ship. Had not the least idea of the origin of the fire. Was in the storeroom on Monday afternoon, and all was the same as usual. The carpenter and the captain had no words on the passage. Had no reason to believe that the coals were on fire. Never saw a man more attentive to his duties than the captain, who worked like one of the men. Was not smoking in his berth. The sick men turned out to save things from the fire. The carpenter and steward lost every thing. Everything was done that was possible to save the ship after she stranded. The flagstaff was south-east by south, half-south to where the ship was stranded. Had never heard any of the crew express any ill-feeling to the captain.

By Captain Stockton— Was present when she bumped heavily on the bottom, and the carpenter said her back was broken.

Alexander Doig, carpenter, said he had been aboard the ship four months. Kept the second mate's watch, and had been at sea ten years. Had no certificate. Was on deck when the shift struck. Half an hour before that saw a point of land. It was bad weather, with heavy squalls. The foresail was clewed up when she struck. The captain was on deck at the time and had the leadline in his hand. There was not a sign of drink aboard the vessel. The anchor was let go and some cargo thrown overboard. The ship never made much water. In bad weather she was pumped out every watch, but in good weather about once in eight hours. She was a good sound ehip. She had about 1,000 tons of coals aboard. There was six inches to spare of the Plimsoll mark. On Wednesday morning there was an anchor watch. Was on the watch from 4 to 6. At 5 to 6 went to call the mate, and discovered some smoke coming from the skylights, and called all hands and told them to man the forcepump. Did not see any one prowling about the afterpart of the ship. Looked at the binnacle light about 5am., and there was no sign of fire. The fire must have originated in the after-cabin. The steward was in the galley, and he left him there. Did not think the binnacle lamp had exploded. Relieved Cuthbert. Never heard him threaten the captain. The men said they were sick, and refused to take the boat ashore. Only two were willing to go, and they could not take the boat ashore by them selves. Signalled to the shore that the crew were sick. The captain came off about 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning. The crew did all they could to save the ship. There was no disagreement between the captain and the chief officer. The steward was called at 3.45 every morning. He slept in the galley that night. Saw the mizenmast go over the side below the poop deck. Had lost everything.

On Monday night at 11 o'clock at night there was 13 feet forward. By the Captain—On Sunday night called the captain and said there was a fearful storm. Sail was shortened. Heard the ship strike heavily on Monday night, and told the captain he thought she bad broken her back.

G. F. Baker, cook and steward of the Fanny M., was on good terms with the captain. There was a fire all night in the galley. Was called at 4 a.m. as usual, put coals on, and laid down again. Was in the cabin on Monday night, and had not been in it since. No one could have got into the cabin without his knowing it, because he had the key in his pocket. First heard of the fire from the carpenter, who gave the alarm. Went down and unlocked the door, and opened it, but the smoke drove him back. Went in again, and saw the floor of the cabin on fire, and something like pitch bubbling up. Trimmed the binnacle lamp at 4 p.m. on Monday and filled it up. Had known a kerosine lamp explode in the fore castle. No one on board would set the ship on fire. If there had been no one in the fore-castle when the lamp exploded last voyage it would most likely have set the ship on fire, and a similar thing might have happened in this case. Under the binnacle was all on fire.

William Garatt, seaman, had been an hour at the wheel when the Fanny M. grounded. She was steering south-east for half an hour before she struck. When the foresail was hauled up she was nearly unmanageable. The foresail was hauled up about fifteen minutes before she struck. The jib was blown away just before she came up in the wind. The wheel was abaft the house, but the helmsman could see over the house. The captain used the handlead several times. Scarcely felt the ship ground. There was not much sea on at the time. The wind was blowing strongly north-north-west. She was steering when the anchor was let go. Was paying attention to the course. The captain gave the order to let go the anchor, and then ran forward and let it go himself. She was going about 3 knots an hour. An anchor could not have been run out. About 50 tons of coal was discharged. On night of fire was on the third watch. Was called up by the alarm of fire. There were no complaints between the crew and the captain. The captain was on deck nine days. No one refused to go in the boat. Would have gone himself only he was sick. Could not say if there was any after-canvas on the ship. She came-to against her helm, and carried away the jib. When she broached-to the captain let go the anchor. The captain was heaving the lead on the starboard side. Had the anchor watch from 9 to 10 on Monday night. Had never been in the cabin. Could not get at the binnacle from the outside. When the alarm of fire was given the forcepump was manned. They were driven back by the flames. The men were all knocked up and unable to go ashore for the captain. If the anchor had been let go smartly when the captain ordered it the ship would not have grounded. There was a delay of twenty minutes between the captain's order and the time the anchor was let go. The anchors were all ready for letting go. Thought it very strange that the captain's order was disobeyed. Had no idea as to the origin of the fire, unless the coals were on fire.

By the captain—Saw some lights in the channel the night before she struck. Was called out to shorten sail, as it was blowing a gale. There was lightning, hail, and rain that night. Only for Captain Stockton the ship would have been lost outside. In ordinary weather the ship would lay about six points to the wind. The coals were not close up to the deck where the fire broke out. There was room for any one to go aft on the top of the coals and light the ship.