The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-21 00:00:00

OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION BY THE BOARD

OF TRADE.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST THE CAPTAIN, OFFICERS, AND

CREW.

Yesterday a public court of inquiry, opened on Satur-
day, was resumed at the Board of Trade, Whitehall,
into the circumstances attending the loss of the African
mail packet steamer Forerunner, recently wrecked near
Madeira while on her homeward passage to England,
when several of the passengers and crew perished.
The proceedings took place before Rear-Admiral
Beeohey and Captain W. N. Walker, H. C. S., the
naval commissioners of the Board of Trade, assisted,
according to the Mercantile Marine Act, by Mr. Edward
Yardley, the Thames Police-court magistrate.
Mr. M‘Gregor Laird, the managing director of the
African Steam-ship Company, was present on behalf of
the company.
Captain Johnstone, the late commander of the Fore-
runner, was also in attendance at the court to hear the
witnesses.
Admiral Beechey opened the inquiry by remarking
that the proceedings were instituted by the Lords Com-
missioners by virtue of their powers under the 23th,
104th, and 105th sections of the Mercantile Marine Act
(13th and 14th Viet., cap. 93), and the 31st section of
the Steam Navigation Act (14th and 15th Viet., cap.
79), to investigate the loss of the Steam-ship Forerunner,
and the question whether the master and other officers
of that vessel had shown themselves, by reason of in-
competency or misconduct, unfit to discharge their
duties.

Captain Kennedy, late Governor of Sierra Leone, was
then called and examined. He said—On the 25th Oct.
last I was a Government passenger on board the Fore-
runner steamer. I embarked on the 13th. There was
nothing particular calling, for remark until the 19th of
that month. On that day, about 10 in the morning, I
heard one of the passengers make a remark about the
discoloration of the water. The vessel at this time was
running under steam and canvas, at the rate, I should
say, nearly as I could guess, of probably nine miles an
hour. Prior to this, the discoloration of the water had
been observed at some distance. This was remarked to
the captain, and I heard him state that it was the re-
flection of a cloud. While these remarks were passing,
the captain ordered the man at the quarter to heave the
lead. This man was put in the chains, and it seemed to
me, from my knowledge—and I hare sailed a good deal
in my time—that he had a very imperfect knowledge of
using the lead at all. I think Mr. Bedingfield, who is
a better authority, will give an opinion—that, however,
is my opinion. The first cast of the lead was 7 fathoms;
the next, I believe, was 5 ; the third oast was about 2i
fathoms. When 2i fathoms were called out, the captain
ordered the after sail to be hauled down (it was a vessel
of three masts), and the helm to be put hard up. The
vessel being small, and running quick a-head, imme-
diately cast off. We ran, and I think for two hours,
with the vessel's head directly off land, before we got
seven fathoms of water, going eight or nine miles an
hour—so that the vessel must have run fifteen or six-
teen miles in seven fathoms water. I subse-
quently saw a chart, and I looked into the common
sailing directions, which most captains have, and a copy
of which the captain of the Forerunner had, and accord-
km to the best of my recollection, in connection with
the observations which were made that morning, I came
to the conclusion that the vessel was as nearly as possi-
ble in the position of where the Medusa is marked on
the chart as having been wrecked. Ou the 24th we had
the wind nearly right a head. The first landfall was
made close after dark. I am not prepared to say how
many miles to the westward of Funchal, but it was not
less than 30 or 40. The vessel then ran along shore
towards Funchal, and on reaching that place remained
till about 4 p.m. the following day, the 25th, when we
sailed. When I put up my newspaper I walked to the
forward part of the poop-deck, where the captain was
standing by the compass. My attention was attracted
to the compass as the man was first lighting the binnacle.
I spoke to the captain, and asked him how many points
we should haul up to the northward ; and at that mo-
ment, while I was calculating the way in which the ship's
head would lie, and standing alone beside the captain,
I heard him call to the man at the wheel, " Starboard
the helm," which would have the effect of bringing the
vessel's head up more to the land. The ship flew up
very rapidly. I should say the ship could not have
come up from the original course she was steering before
that order was given. I should say she came-up two-and-
a-half or three points in that time. The captaiii could
not have given that order many seconds before the ship
struck and stuck fast, going at full speed. The vessel
seemed to me to go with a grating sound, and tear
exactly like a piece of brown paper. The captain at
the moment seemed to me perfectly bewildered ; in fact,
he did not seem to know what he was doing, or what was
to be done. The engineers and stokers at this time had
rushed on deck. There was a simultaneous rush made
to the boat. Seeing such a rush made to the boats, and
knowing that the boats were incapable of carrying the
number of passengers on board, I foresaw that death
would accrue to all unless something like order and dis-
cipline were kept in filling the boats. The waist boat, an
iron boat, was at that time full almost to sinking. I
looked over the quarter, and particularly observed in this
boat the second steward and Mr. Moore, the first mate.
I immediately reproached Mr. Moore for his conduct,
and told him that instead of setting an example of desert-
ing the ship he should be the last to leave her, and that if
he did not quit the boat 1 would represent his conduct to
the owners of the ship. This unfortunate man did come
out of the boat, and subsequently lost his life. At this
period I missed the captain. The two boats that left the
vessel never attempted to return to the wreck.! lam
perfectly satisfied that at the time I was picked up there
was no soul alive of those that went down in the ship.
Admiral Beechey—You say that after the vessel
struck there was.a ru'sh to the boats, and the absence of
all command and discipline ?—Certainly.
Did it appear to"you that the captain was endeavour-
ing to remedy this ?—ln no way whatever. He gave no
orders for the preservation of the crew and passengers.

What time did it take to lower the boats !—I
do not know. I endeavoured to lower the boats as
speedily as possible. Ws had 62 souls on board ; and I
said, from what I had seen at the Argan Bank, I thought
I would more usefully employ myself in endeavouring
to restore order.

Mr. Yardley—Did you observe what the captain was
doing at this time ?—I saw the captain go below.
How soon afterwards ? Did you notice what he was
doing from the time the vessel struck up to her sinking;
—To the best of my belief the captain was mostly below.
He saved two or three chronometers. He went below
for them, and I believe he was occupied the greater part
of his time below about the money chest.
Admiral Beechey—Was there a lady in the cabin ?
Yes, a lady and a child.

Did he go down to save that lady I—l know he did
not. Mr. Child, who was lost, was standing by me at
the time, and I said I won't leave the ship. Mr. Child
said, "Right, I will stand by you till the last." He
then said, " Good God, where is the lady ?" He then
rushed down into the cabin, and brought the lady and
child up. He put the child into the boat, and the last I
saw of him was when he was attempting to get the lady
over the side of the ship into the boat, when the ship
sunk, and he, with the lady, went down, and, although
Lieutenant Child was an excellent swimmer, was, with
the lady, drowned.
Lieutenant Bedingfield, R.N., was next examined,
and gave evidence of a similar description.
James Stewart, late chief engineer of the Forerunner,
spoke of the engines not having been stopped on the
day the ship was near the Argan Shoals, and not until
after she had struck on the rock off Point Lorenzo. I
was saved in the life-boat. The chief and second mato
were ordered out by Governor Kennedy. I was aware
that a female was in the ship, and other passengers on
deck. The captain ordered me out. I told him I would
not. _ _

Admiral Beechey—Was that a remark to make to the
superior officer ?—I thought it was my duty to save my
own life.

Is it the duty of officers first to rush to the boat to
save themselves, or to wait and assist the passengers ?
I did what I thought best under the circumstances.
By Mr. Yardley—Before the boats were touched I
heard the captain give orders to look to them.
Humphrey Bramwell, the third engineer, deposed to
the captain ordering the boats to be lowered. Did not
think any of the survivors were in the water more than
eight minutes after the ship went down.
Some other evidence having been received the pro•
ceedings were adjourned.