6
Having committed that error of judgment he was subsequently guilty of laxity in navigating the vessel, inasmuch as that when she took the ground she was considerably to the Westward of the course she was supposed to follow, also in not making any allowance for any possible Westward set of the ebbing tide, which he ought to have known would cause the vessel to come into shoal water; and also knowing that there was shoal water at each side of a narrow passage he was endeavouring to get through, that he did not take all possibie precautions, such as heaving the lead, to see that he was in that passage.
The Certificate of the Master, Walter John Snadden, No. 574, is therefore suspended for two months from 17th September, 1910.
(Signed) E. P. DOWLEY,
Magistrate.
We concur,
JJ. MCCONNACHY,
(Signed)
J. H. FOXWORTHY,
}
Assessors.
THE NAVIGATION ACT, 1904.
Harbour and Light Department,
FREMANTLE, 28th November, 1910.
The following Report and Finding of the Chief Harbour Master into the circumstances attending the loss of the schooner "Hugh Norman," in the vicinity of Cervantes Island, on or about the 28th October, 1910, has been approved by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary.
G. J. SINCLAIR,
Secretary.
The Under Treasurer.
I beg to report, for the information of the Hon. the Minister, having held a Preliminary Inquiry, on the 15th inst., into the circumstances attending the reported total loss of the schooner "Hugh Norman," in the vicinity of Cervantes Island, on or about the 28th Octo-
"in ber, 1910.
The schooner " Hugh Norman" is a pearling vessel owned by Messrs. Robinson and Norman, of Broome, and registered in Fremantle, official number 125030.
After taking the evidence of the crew, T. E. Anderson the survivor, D. McDonald who deserted at Fremantle, Mr. A. E, Brown, the builder of the vessel and agent for the owners; Captain R. E. Arundel, the Underwriters' Surveyor; J. F. Morrison, Shipping Inspector to the Department; H. J. Clark, Assistant Wharf Manager, I have to report that the schooner "Hugh Norman was recently built at Fremantle, and was on her maiden trip to Broome to enter into the Pearl Fishing industry.
The vessel was in charge of Captain W. Dundee, a duly qualified Master Mariner, and who has had a most extensive experience of the coast, more particularly in taking vessels of this description from Fremantle to Broome.
The day before the vessel sailed, viz., the 20th October, the Master was under the influence of intoxicating liquor, in consequence of which the vessel was detained.
On the morning of the 21st, the Master was sober, and the vessel was fully manned and equipped, having as crew McDonald, an experienced sailorman, and Anderson, with a fair knowledge of seamanship, and being in every respect seaworthy to the satisfaction of the Surveyor, who granted an Insurance Certificate. I might here mention that a casual search was made by the agent for any liquor, and about one-third of a bottle only was found.
The vessel left Victoria Quay about 10 a.m., and in beating out of the river by some means got foul of the North Mole wharf; here the seaman McDonald slipped ashore (deserted), alleging that he did so because he noticed that the foremast was sprung by coming into contact with the wharf. His action was not noticed by those on shore, but the agent seeing the boat in difficulties went to her assistance in a launch and towed him clear of the Mole.