I hope this makes it through in its entirety. I may have to subdivide it. Part of a Report of an Enquiry into the Wreck of the 'Annie Verdin.' The 'Annie Verdin' was a foreign-built vessel – American – drawing thirteen feet of water, registered at the port of Philadelphia, official No. 105250, and owned by the following:--John W. Hall, ¼; Harlesan Heekman, ¼; H. Verdin, 1/8; H. Verdin, jun., 1/3; George Saulan, 1/8; S. S. G. H. Squire, 1/16; and James H. Hubbard, the master, 1/16. The ship was three years old, having been built in June 1873, and registered A 1 ¼ at the American Shipmasters' Association, New York. The master has a certificate of competency (No. 5687) from the same Association. The vessel carried a crew of eight, all told, including the master, and left the port of Philadelphia on the 9th of October last, with a cargo of coal, bound to Galveston, Texas. Soon after leaving the port the weather is described as becoming blustery, with occasional squalls, and continued so for some days. On the 18th the Abaco Lighthouse is passed, the weather being then fine. At about 10- P.M., however, of the night there was a change of weather, the wind blowing from the east-north-east, strong. Sail was shortened during the night, the vessel steering rather wild. A little while after, however, the weather improved and became again fine. >From the Abaco Light the course up to 5 P.M. was W. ½ N., and at 4 A.M. hauled up a half-point to clear the bank at Sturrup's Cay, the Cay bearing S. by E. A course was also shaped to clear the Great Isaac Cay. At 2 P.M. on the 19th the weather began to be threatening, the wind being at E.S.E., blowing a fresh gale, Gun Cay bearing north twelve miles. It was at this period that the captain decided on running for an anchorage, and making a harbour until the weather moderated. The vessel was consequently veered, and at 7 P.M. the ship was anchored in five fathoms of water, Great Isaac's Light bearing N. by E. ½ E. about four or five miles distant. A strong gale, but steady, was at this time blowing, wind at E. by S. Both anchors were let go, with sixty fathoms of chain on each anchor. At 11 P.M. the wind had increased to a hurricane, and the ship began to drag. The kedge anchor was now let go, which had the effect of bringing her up for about an hour. At 12.30 the starboard cable parted, as also the kedge hawser, and the ship dragged off the bank and out to sea. After dragging for an hour and a half she was laid to under a reefed spanker with her head southward. Between two and three o'clock the rudder head was discovered to be wrung off, and to such an extent that the vessel became unmanageable. No land was at this time in sight, nor could the Great Isaac Light be seen. At ll.30m, however, a three-masted schooner was discovered ashore, on what turned out afterwards to be Settlement Point, the western end of Grand Bahama. The Captain's endeavours were now directed to keep his vessel off if possible, and to effect this set reefed main-sail, fore-staysail, and main-jib, and after shipping the cables tried to fill away. The jib, however, was soon blown away; the ship became unmanageable, the rudder being of no service; and the vessel drifted in until she struck on Wood Cay Bar, near Settlement Point. The captain in his evidence states:-- 'When I saw there was no possibility of saving the ship, I cut the main and mizen halyards away, and let the sails run down on deck. Just before the ship struck I ordered the men in the rigging, as the best place for saving themselves. The ship rolled very heavily, the sea breaking completely over her. After being ashore for about seven hours the ship bilged and filled with water. 'We had one boat – a large yawl boat – quite large enough to have saved myself and crew.' It is much to be regretted that while the men were in the rigging two of them, against the express wish of the captain, left their then place of safety, got into the boat, then tied to the stern, cut her away, and rowed off, with the intention, no doubt, of making for the nearest land. Under these circumstances this was a most dangerous proceeding. After a while the boat was out of sight, and fears are now entertained as to their safety. . . . At 7 A.M. Captain Hannah boarded the wreck in his boat, he having seen her from the shore, and was some time after followed by his vessel. The sails, rigging, and stores were saved by the crew of this vessel. The captain and crew speak highly of the assistance rendered them by Captain Hannah and his crew, as well as of their good behaviour. On the 22nd the captain and his crew left the wreck in the Bahamain schooner 'Matchless,' and arrived at this port on the 24th instant. Vince Summers