hartlepool history logo
close button

Mars - inquiry

Owners: 1898 Venus Shipping Co Ltd (J Lockie) Newcastle-on-Tyne: 1904 Cornhill Shipping Co (Harris & Dixon) London

Masters: 1899-1903 WM Curtis: 1904 G Russell: 1905 S Shirley.

On a voyage from Barry for Vladivostok with a cargo of coal Mars was wrecked off Rurui, La Perouse Straits. The Court of Inquiry at Yokohama held in July 1905 found that the loss was caused by her being surprised by ice on the night 27 January 1905 & drifting first in a southern direction and then east along the coast for a period of seven weeks, until at 11 50am on 17 March she was carried on to rocks near Cape Miomoto & was wrecked in 44.28 N 146.35E. The vessel appears to have been in good condition & free from any defect which could have contributed to the casualty. The master was absolved from blame because the advent of the ice was exceptionally early that year & it was recognized that first appearances at Kunashiri Strait were deceptive. When the evening of 27 January closed in the master had reason to believe he had passed the ice & was in clear water & when the floe descended upon the vessel during the night it was too late to turn back as the ice had already hemmed the ship in. A boat with five men was picked up some days later so it appears they were the only survivors.

 

Related items :