Page:Inquiry into the shipwreck of 'Geffrard' 1875-07-07.djvu/8

 gale with rain squalls Barometer 29.80 and falling. Noon ditto weather heavy sea running ship taking seas over all. Weather continued same until 7 P.M. when it fell calm with heavy rain for about 20 minutes when the wind came suddenly with hurricane violence at 7.30 Chain parted immediately at 90 starboard Bower paid out to about 45 fathoms when it parted ship canted to the north West Hoisted the F.T. Mast staysail & set main lower top sail Ship stuck aft first on account of drawing 2 feet more than forward kept the topsail set; 8.30 sounded the well and found 9 inches ship lying on the port bilge not striking heavily 9 P.M. very heavy squall with rain and fell calm. Barometer 29.40 She continued t move toward shore till about 11 P.M  There were 90 fathoms of chain out side the hawse  the riding tackle was composed of two 3 fold blocks and 4 ½ inch manilla rope. We had the second anchor ready to let go the ship was in shore 4 fathoms The first chain was an 1¼ inch one and nearly new when I joined the ship 2½ years ago  I consider the chain quite sufficient to hold the ship during the winter gales on this coast had it been good. I found on the piece of chain recovered an opening in the weld in one of the links sufficiently large to admit the blade of a small pen knife I saw no other defect I do not consider the weather was bad enough for a second anchor to be down thinking the first chain fit to hold the ship  It is a matter of opinion as to a second anchor being down, it would have helped had there been 2 anchors down & 90 fathoms on each in each case there would have been danger in fouling and also difficulty in recovering