The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-09-04
SPEAKS FOR DUNREGGAN.

SPEAhS FOR DDNREGGAN.
When recently the bark Dunreggan ran
on the reef off Diamond Head in broad
daylight, the belief was general that the
captain was in error. However, a court
of inquiry, composed of competent nauti-
cal men, has exonerated the master of the
Dunreggan of all blame.
1.-THE findings of the court were a sur
prise to many said an old-time tar yes
terday, but to those conversant with
ocean currents, perfectly right. The fol-
lo wing circumstance which is true in
each particular will elucidate the matter.
I'm September, 1856, the British man
of-war Powerful formed part of the fleet
anchored at the Move to welcome Napo-
leon and Eugene on their arrival from
Calais to visit Queen Victoria. The Pow
erful has given her name to one of the
newest of the new navy, and is now, If
not broken up, lying at Sheerness. The
Powerful was Admiral Napier's flagship
at st. Jean D'Acre, and had returned
| home after an eventful cruise of two
years. Commodore IT. L. Massie was in
command; among other noted officers of
the Powerful was the present Rear-Ad-
mral Lucas, then fourth lieutenant
Young Lucas had achieved fame by throw
| ing lighted shell. which had fallen on
/
saving many lives. Lucas was the first
naval officer to receive the Victoria cross.
| Peace had been declared and the old
Si-gun ship was ordered to Sheerness,
there to be put out of commission.
THE Powerful was a second class line
of battleship. carrying fun complement
Of 500 men fully Differed and equipped.
She was sailing vessel and one of the
most responsive ships in the navy, an
| SWering her helm readily
THE Narrows form defence for the
Thames. Skilled pilots only are employed
to take a ship through the devious wind
lings of the channel.
"Of the town of Dover, and not far
frcm the North Foreland is the celebrat-
ed Move Light. The command was Civ
len, the anchor weighed, and the Powerful,
under easy sail and with favoring wind,
set sail for Sheerness
The night was as fair and as clear as
day. 1t was in fact an ideal night. There
We're two men at the wheel. The Move
Light shone dimly to the right: many OF
the watch below, owing to the beauty OF
the night, were on deck. Suddenly, AL
Hands was called: the boatswain and his
mates piped all on deck from below
Two quartermasters went to the wheel
making four at the helm. Men were in
the chains heaving the lead. Commodor,
Massie, pilots, officers and signaI-mer
were on the poop; excitement every
where. The Powerful would not answel
her helm. and was drifting obliquely tow
ard the Move Light
''Tbe entire ships company was on deck
The yards were squared and everythins
done TO change the ships course but al
In vain. Direct to the Move Light sh,
speeded and struck it a CHANGING blow
Down came the great light: glass crash
ed, cries of alarm came from the light
Keeper and his family. and the Powerful
came scraping along the lightship AM
left 1t in darkness. The sails were cIewe,
up. and the line of battleship came to an
Choir
Next day the vessel went on her wa,
and in due time reached her destination
and was put out of commission. Will
in Sheerness the ships company was call
ed aft, and Commander Rutherford rea
the thanks of the admiralty to the officer
and crew of III. Il. NJ s. Powerful. tn
same TO be read to all the ships of tn
meet; an unusual honor. which would no
nave been accorded if any blame were at
tached to the officers for the runnin,
uown or the lightship and the destruc
ton of the light.
The current which caused the COLI
sion was erratic, and could not be fore
seen. The pilot was eXonerated and tn
matter laid at rest
Some such under-tow took the Dun
reagan, hence the disaster A chart O
the Diamond Head waters may result il
change in the course laid down for YES
sells entering the Port of Honolulu. an
further disasters be avoided"
SHIPPING NOTES
No freight was received by the inter
island steamboat companies Yesterday
Labor Day.
The Oceanic wharf is packed with good
ARRIVED on the Australia and going on tn