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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, NOV. 8, 1906.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT.
No. 944. The following Finding of the Marine Court of Enquiry into the burning of the British steamer Hanko, is published.
8th November, 1906.
T. SERCOMBE SMITH,
Colonial Secretary.
FINDING.
We find that the British steamship Hankou, Official No. 68,528 of London, of which BENJAMIN ROPER BRANCH was the Master, Certificate of Competency No. 011,589 of London, left Canton on the 13th October, 1906, at 6 p.m., and after an uneventful passage made fast to the proper pier. The Hankow's cargo consisted of Raw Silk, Straw Matting and Vegetables. The straw matting was stowed on the passenger deck aft. The Hankow carried 7 Euro- peans, 950 Chinese and 61 Crew. That at 3 a.m. of the 14th, the ship was made fast along- side her pier and then certain passengers went on shore, although the greater part of them were remaining on board, as is customary, until daylight.
That at 3.07 a.m. the alarm of fire was first given aft amongst the straw matting stowed aft on the passenger deck, strenuous efforts were then made by the Master and the Officers to get at it and put it out, using buckets pending the arrival of the fire hose driven off the main boilers, but without success, owing to the tremendous amount of smoke finding itself into the Engine room, making it impossible for any one to remain down there. That the vessel was well found with fire appliances, pumps, &c., which were constantly exercised for washing decks.
That the Master and Officers did all in their power to save life and property, but owing to the rapidity of the fire and fierceness of the flames, without much success. That the Fire Brigade turned out smartly and gave every assistance, supported by a Naval pump under Lieutenant ANDERSON, H.M.S. Flora.
We, the Court, are of strong opinion, that as a precautionary measure, all cargoes of light texture, such as strawbraid or matting when carried, should be so stowed under hatches or blocked off or screened off in such a way as to be impossible of access by any passenger, also we consider that the ordinary fire arrangements and boat stations should be hung up in a printed form in some conspicuous part of the vessel in these River steamers and the fire arrangements should be exercised and logged once a week, so that in the event of fire some successful effort might be made to cope with in on board. This in the opinion of the Court can only be done by constant practice with the crew and would take some 15 minutes weekly if properly organised.
We deplore and regret the immense amount of life lost, but after searching enquiry, we consider that everything was done that could be done by the Master and Officers under the circumstances, therefore the Court absolve the Master and Officers from all blame.
Given under our hands at Victoria, Hongkong, 6th November, 1906.
CHARLES WM. BECKWITH, Lieut., R.N.,
Stipendiary Magistrate, President of the Court.
HENRY BUTTERWORTH, Lieut., R.N.
EDWARD BEETHAM, Lieut., R.N.R.,
British S.S. Empress of India.
COLIN HANNAH,
British S.S. Sierra Morena.
CLEMENT JOHN MATTOCK,
British S.S. Amara,
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