The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-08-24 00:00:00

Tilt 1:440/ta.

The inquest on Captain Stokes, of the Mistletoe, was
opened on Thursday. John Stokes. seaman on heanl the
Mistletoe, admitted that the yacht was endeavouring to
get as near the Alberta as poontild that the ladies might
get a view f the Queen. Ile could not say whether the
dillision was due to the captain of the Mistletoe putting
the twins up. Samuel Stokes, another seaman. stated
that Miss led was dragged &nen by the rigging.
William Rowhotham, boatswain. said he did not believe
Call-sin Stokes gsve the order to keep near the Royal
ynist. Charles Ravinan, c oh, ashl he saw the Alberta
two tulles off. After the e.lliditn, he saw Commander
Fullerton in the water a•-i tlng to save the crew, John
Toots, a seaman, sahl there W. 14 plenty of time for the
Alberta to have altert.ii her course frau the time when
they lint saw her. The inquest was adjounted.
- - -

The inquest on the hisly of Captain Stokee2 of the
Mistletoe yacht, we. resumed iin Friday. Mr. Ileywoisil,
the owner, dented 4115tinetly that any iirders were given
to get close to the Royal yacht. Ile tr. mid ind have been
guilty of such WI impertinence. As the Ali ierta approached
them, Captain Svilicti pot the Mjntiio's helm hard down.
Witnestes impression was that a inktake was made on
board the Allimb'. the holm Lein:: starboard...l. Hail it
liven put to port Willa:o4 believed that the collision would
have been avoide.l, peiltNit. the Mktletoe's jib.
. . .

lesini might have heen earned away, %% itiieno Wad
certain that the Mistletoe's coarse was not altered until
the collision was imminent. Ile thought that had the
Alberta wit backed astern a, mickly otter the
nice live, might hale been saved. The jury then went to
Hadar to close the body of His,S Peel.
On the re-aesemlilimr of the court,
Stan-Commander Welch sail a good look nut was
always kept on board the Alberta, expecielly when the
Queen was in boaril, 35 then they went at a greater speed.
At the tithe et the colliiiion he was superintending the steer-
lug. A yawl calm M. iron, leeward, apparently intending
ti erns* the Alberta's bows, brit s!ie I.ire up, and ran in a
parallel line to the Alberta. Immediately efterearils us
cutter did the Woe thing. Witness then now a sehooner
iutamudlii.teut of Stoke'. Boy towards Itydo, end again
reeolved to Isom astern of I. I'. The schooner kept away,
and ran very nearly in a parallel line with the Alberta.
As-liming she would continue that course, he went to the
Ilther 111.10 of tIIC llrbige ti lank after ether yacht., when
he was informed that the schooner hail put her helm
down. lie instantly orilervil the helm to starboard. Ile
Starh,aric,iaecorling to the rex of the risel, and Prince
!Rini:nein rusliisl to the tslar,rapl, snit itave the miler to
stop. An cumin pn.4.11.10 the telrwraph Was pUt to "slow"
snit'' half, peril a.tern." lie was hoonil, accenling to
the rule of the r.via, ti t inlel.trt, Intl hail lie Mine Otherwise
they %villa equally have run I.vet the ve.isel. They were
piing IS knots, uT 17 statute miles, the usual speed when
Her Majesty Was on Imanl. ThiS Was quite RA wife as
going half-xPecd. lie was often hard pressed to escape
from yachts wide', wished to press too dorely to the
Sovereign. No accident hail ever occurred during his
service Iwiere like this. There was no blame attached to
anybody en board the Alberta. If blame wore to he
attached to anybody on board the Alberta it was to him-
self —(apidansm. If he hail put his helm to port every-
body would have said he bail no liusinexs to do so. Ile
believed from evidence he should produce that nobody
wax at the helm of the Mistletoe.
.lie believed she catue
up by herself. The inquiry was adjourned.