XM/6774/19
LETTER: R.D. Brailli and Co., shipowners, 62 and 63 Bute St., Cardiff, to captain John Hughes, Sab [sic] Fransisco replying to his several mails since the loss of the Inverness. They had advised Mrs. Hughes to send his testimonial c/o Messrs Wilsons, Ship Store Merchants, San Fransisco as he had secured command of a barque bound for there. The sender was sorry to lose the ship but were pleased that the recipient was able to save the crew. He never imagined that captain Hughes could have been blamed at the Board of Trade enquiry. They looked forward to hearing from Captain Hughes as at present they were without a big ship. They dealt briefly with some of the enquiries but were unable to proceed further without the accounts from Auckland. They approve of the contention to pay the crew off as per articles as any matter raised could be thoroughly investigated there. They had received the copy of the official log which Captain Hughes had sent from Papeete but as they had not received a protest or declarations required by the underwriters they had cabled Captain Hughes to Auckland to prepare the same and forward it. Messrs. Henderson and Mac Farlane had not yet forwarded the disbursements and the sender hoped that they would separate the accounts, these were recoverable from the Protection Insurance Society; who would also cover Captain Hughes’ expenses attending the enquiry. They had written to reassure relatives of the crew who had enquired, most enquiries coming from near Captain Hughes’ home. They hoped that the crew were well and had joined other employment at Auckland. They knew that Captain Hughes had done his best to save the ship. They were continuing the allotments to Mrs. Hughes until told differently.
Cyngor Gwynedd