Ship "Ocean Mail"

1875 Aug 17	Shipwreck
1877 Mar 21	Shipwreck

AJHR 1876 Section H26 page 13
Return of Wrecks


Date of Casualty	: 17 Aug 1875
Name of Master		: Thomas CAWSE
Age of Vessel		: 6 years, A1 Lloyd's
Rig			: Ship
Register Tonnage	: 1039
Number of Crew		: 38
Number of Passengers	: 175
Nature of Cargo		: General
Nature of Casualty	: Collision with "Partetol"; partial loss
Number of Lives Lost	: 
Place of Accident	: Portland, England, distant about 20
			  miles E by N
Wind Direction		: S by W
Wind Force		: Moderate breeze


Finding of Court of Inquiry
Italian vessel ["Partetol"] ought to have ported her helm 
instead of crossing "Ocean Mail's" bows.

AJHR 1877 Section H29 page 27
Return of Wrecks


Date of Casualty	: 21 Mar 1877
Name of Master		: John WATSON
Age of Vessel		: 7 years, A1 Lloyd's
Rig			: Ship
Register Tonnage	: 1039
Number of Crew		: 31
Number of Passengers	: 3
Nature of Cargo		: General
Nature of Casualty	: Stranded; total loss
Number of Lives Lost	: 
Place of Accident	: French Reef, near Matarakau,
			  Chatham Islands
Wind Direction		: SW
Wind Force		: Strong breeze


Finding of Court of Inquiry
Ship lost through error in her compasses, and through gross
negligence of the master and officers, in not having used any
of the available means to ascertain the position of the vessel;
the master's certificate, Board of Trade No. 90227, was
suspended for nine months; that of George Archibald JOHNSON,
chief officer, No. 303, issued at Singapore, suspended for six
months; and that of Alexander CALMAN, second mate, Board of
Trade No. 99702, for six months; these certificates were
afterwards returned to their owners, as it was proved that the
Court of Enquiry was not legally constituted.