The Sun.
London, England, 1862-10-21 00:00:00

THE BRIG SPY.

OFFICIAL REPORT.
TO THE RIGHT HON. THE LORDS OF THE COMMITTEE or

PRIVY COUNCIL FOR TRADE.

We, the undersigned, Edward Ferrand Astley- and Luke
Smithett, Esqs., two of her Majesty's justices of the peace
in and for the borough of Dover, in the county of Kent,
having been applied to by J. Hargrave Hamel, a per-
son duly appointed in that behalf by your lordships, for
a formal investigation, pursuant to section 433 of the Mer-
chant Shipping Act, 1854, respecting the stranding of a cer-
tain British ship called the Spy, of the port of J ersey, on the
2d October inst., whereby the said ship was materially da-
maged, did duly proceed with the said investigation on the
15th, 16th, ar2d 17th days of Octobei inst., and have exa-
mined on oath divez's persons—to wit, Thomas Thwaites,
Beaching, George William Fleury, John it.‘Leod, Richard
Larke, James John Erridge, Geo. Browne Rag:gett, Edward
Pitt, and John Gibant—whose evidence, which is hereunto
annexed, has been signed by us, being assisted in the said
investigation by Captain Henry Harris and Captain h:obert
Scott, who were duly appointed by your lordships to act as
nautical assessors to us, the said justices, and upon such ire.
vestigation we find, and beg to report to your lordships, as
follows, that is to say :-1. That the brig Spy was built at
Jersey in the year 1841, and registered at that port as of
the burden of 229 tons. She was owned by George Des-
landes, and was commanded on her present voyage by John
Edmund Hamon, who holds a certificate of coropetench
dated the 2d December, 1850. Tier crew consisted of 10
hands, including the master. 2. That the Spy sailed from
Demerara on the 21st August last, and made the Lizard at
4 p.m. on the 30th September. Nothing material seems to
have occurred till the morning of the 2d October. At mid-
night of the Ist October she was off Beachey Head, and
shortly afterwards Dungeness Light was seen, and although
the night was clear and the wind favourable, yet about a
quarter past four on the Morning of the 2d October, from
what appears to us gross carelessness, the vessel was run
on the beach within 200 yards of, and in a direct line with,
the light. 3. That it appears from the evidence the master
was so intoxicated during the watch (the middle watch
from twelve to four) as to be unable to remain on deck,
and unfit to give proper orders for the navigation of the
ship, and she was navigated by the mate during the whole
or greater part of the watch, until about a quarter to four,
when the master came on deck, and ordered a more
northerly course, which evidently tended much to the
stranding of the vessel. He remained on deck with the
mate until the vessel struck, at a quarter-past four, but ne
decisive orders were given to change the course till too late
to prevent the vessel running right on to the beach with
her head NNE, close under Dungeness Lighthouse. 4.
That the vessel was run on shore just at the top of high
water, and some ineffectual efforts were made to back her
off, apparently by the orders of the mate, for it seems that
the master was in such a state of intoxication that his in-
coherent orders only led to greater confusion. Shore,'
after, however, a steam tug came to their assistance, but
the tide having fallen her efforts at the time were unveil'
ing. At 5.0 a.m. the coast-guard came on board, and
portion of the cargo was discharged on to the beach. Being
thus lightened the vessel was eventually towed off at 6.0
p.m., the next high water, and proceeded in charge of a
pilot, but she was making so much water that to save her
it was found necessary to beach her in St. Margaret's Bag'
The following day she was brought into Dover harbour with
her cargo greatly damaged. 5. That after the stranding,
and when the services of the master were required to pro'
tect the interest of his owners, he was found by the coast'
guard officer and the receiver of wreck in a state of almost
helpless intoxication, which appears to have continued
throughout the day, for after the ship was got off it wag
deemed prudent to persuade him to go below to prevent hia
senseless interference, and there he appears to have re'
mained till the vessel was beached at St. Margaret's Bay. 6•
That we have not deemed it advisable to examine the mate,
he having been committed for one month, with hard labour,
to Dover gaol, for continued neglect of duty during the
discharge of the cargo in Dover harbour. Having ma''
turely considered the statement of the master, and the
evidence which has been adduced before us, we are of
opinion that the Spy was stranded at Dungeness by the
default of her master, who, from the almost concurrent
testimony of all the witnesses, was incompetent, from
intoxication, to navigate the ship with safety; and that
his conduct was so blameable that he is, in our opinion,
unfit to be entrusted with the command of a vessel.
We have, therefore, acting under the powers con-
ferred upon us by section 23 of the Merchant Shipping
Act Amendment Act, 1862, and with the full concurrence
of our assessors, cancelled the certificate of the said John
Edmund Hamon, leaving it to your lordships to grant him
a new certificate as you may be advised whenever you are
satisfied of his amended conduct. And in accordance with
the provisions of the same act, we forward the said certig-
cate of the said John Edmond Hamon to your lordshiP°
with this report.
Given under our hands at Dover, in the county of Rent,
this 17th day of October, 1862.

EDWARD FERRAND ASTLEY.
LtiKE SMITHRTT.
We concur in the above report,

HY. HARRIS, I Nautical Assessors.
ROM. SCOTT,

COUNTRY MARALIpS.

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COLCHESTER—Ocr. 18.

A moderate supply of wheat, and best samples were full,:
as dear. Fine barley is dearer. Beans and peas without
any material change.
Wheat, white. 48s 54s Beans, Mazagan..34s 36°
red ..44s 52s middle & small.32s 0°
Barley
Oats
20s 26s gray 38s 42°