THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, JANUARY 16, 1931.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT.
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No. 31. The following Finding of the Marine Court of Enquiry held on the 7th January, 1931, to enquire into the circumstances attending the stranding of the British Steamship Kutsang, is published for general information.
16th January, 1931.
FINDING.
E. R. HALLIFAX,
Colonial Secretary.
We find that the S.S. Kutsang (Official No. 146223 of Hong Kong) of which Mr. Valentine McClymond Liddell, (Certificate of Competency No. 1764 of Hong Kong) was Master, whilst on a voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong grounded at the Eastern Entrance to the Fu Tau Mun Pass at 8.2 p.m. on December 17th, 1930.
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We find that the ship proceeded at 7.12 p.m. from a position about 3' S. 85 E. (true) from Waglan at 10 knots under the personal direction of the Master on a course N. 34 W. true. Owing to the obstruction caused by Fishing Craft it was necessary for the ship to be constantly under helm and at one point had to complete a full turn of 32 points. A further difficulty to navigation was experienced owing to the glare of bright light" fishing lights to the Eastward of Taithong Point. The Master appears to have been fully confident of his capabilities, due to many years of local experience, to navigate his ship" by eye" from Waglan to Hong Kong. As Taithong Point Light was not sighted by 7.50 p.m. we are of the opinion that the Master should have realised that he was not in the position that he estimated himself to be and should have reduced speed and checked his position by taking a bearing of Waglau Light House. This he failed to do. Further we are of opinion that when Cape Collinson Light House was sighted at 7.55 p.m. a bearing should have been taken. This would have shown at once that the ship was running into danger.
We are therefore of opinion that Mr. Valentine McClymond Liddell, due to not taking any bearings between 7.12 p.m. and 8.1 p.m. stranded his ship by default and we therefore adjudge him to be Severely Reprimanded.
The Court would like to take this opportunity of expressing their appreciation of the very straight-forward and honest manner in which Captain Liddell has given his
evidence.
Given under our hands at Victoria, in the Colony of Hong Kong, this 7th day of January, 1931.
(Signed)
G. F. HOLE,
"
Stipendiary Magistrate and President of the Court
L. G. ADDINGTON,
Lieut.-Comdr, R.N., H.M S. Tamar, Hong Kong.
JOHN A. STEWART,
Master, British S.S. Ixion,
Master, British S S. Paludina.
C. HOWE,
"
A. HALL.
"
Master, British SS. Telemachus..