Page:Inquiry into the shipwreck of 'Geffrard' 1875-07-07.djvu/9

 recovering. My idea in letting go the second anchor was if the ship struck to keep her head to sea so as to be easily got off if required I am positive that had not the large chain been defective we should have ridden out the gale. We rode out as heavy a gale a week previous. The larger anchor weighed about 20 or 25 cwt since the first enquiry I find the small chain is an inch one I consider there was no chance of holding the vessel after the first chain parted I consider the ship was not sufficiently well found in Chains to ensure her riding safely during the winter months. I consider this port is perfectly safe in the winter months provided a ship is well found in ground tackle. The second anchor was let go within 5 minutes after the first chain parted. The second chain parted as soon as the strain came on it. Had the second anchor been down with 45 fathoms on it I do not think it would have parted as soon as it did There is a buoy on the second anchor. We drifted about a cable's length from the time of parting the second chain to the time of striking. The ship was quite far enough out. There were about 280 loads of timber on board when she came ashore. The wind was about north when the chain parted.

Sd. George Allen Mate Geffrard

Taken and sworn Before us

7 July 1875 Sd. J S Harris

J G Bussell

Charles Elg sworn saith

I am second mate of the Geffrard I am a Swede by birth I have been 20