THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 8TH DECEMBER, 1894.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 471.
1059
The following Finding of the Marine Court appointed to enquire into the circumstances connected with the grounding of the British steamer Zafiro, Official No. 88,829, is published.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 8th December, 1894.
FINDING.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
We find that the British Steam-ship Zafiro, Official No. 88,829 of Hongkong, of which ALEXANDER WILLIAM ROSS COBBAN, number of whose Certificate of Competency is 017,422, was Master, left. Victoria Harbour, Hongkong, at 1.45 P.M., on the 14th November, 1894, bound for Amoy and Manila.
The ship was fully laden and had on board a proper complement of men and officers.
That after passing the North Point of Hongkong the ship proceeding at a speed of 10 knots and steering by the land under the orders of the Master, certain junks were met with. The number of these is not clearly before the Court in the evidence, but it appears more than probable that there were several, and that some of them were standing in towards the Hongkong shore.
That after "porting" to avoid collision with one of these junks, the helm was suddenly starboarded
and that almost directly afterwards the ship touched the ground.
The necessary steps were taken to ascertain if any material damage had been done, and the Master, having satisfied himself on this point, proceeded on his voyage to Amoy.
That temporary repairs were made at Amoy and the ship returned to Hongkong to be thoroughly overhauled and repaired.
We are of opinion that the cause of the casualty was that the master relying too much on his local knowledge suffered himself to be "cdged off" by a Junk standing in on his port bow until he had got too close to the Hongkong shore, and that when realizing this, he put the helm "hard a starboard" it was too late to avoid stranding.
The exact position of the ship cannot be verified but there is little doubt that she was on or about the edge of the 3-fathom line marked on the latest chart, but the chart in use by the Master not being one bearing the most recent corrections did not so clearly point out his danger.
The Court is unanimously of opinion that the Master would have displayed more seamanlike caution if he had starboarded or stopped in the first instance of encountering the Junks and had not allowed himself to be forced in towards the shore, also if he had steered a course somewhat further off the land. They are of opinion however by a majority of three to two that this want of caution did not amount to a wrongful act or default, and the Master's Certificate is therefore not dealt with.
Given under our hands at Hongkong, this 7th day of December, 1894.
R. MURRAY RUMSEY, Retd. Comdr. R.N.,
President of Court.
A. W. MILLER, R.N.,
Master Attendant, H. M. Dockyard.
GEORGE A. LEE,
Master, "Empress of Japan.”
ROBERT INNES,
Master, S.S. "Chingtu.”
J. A. MORRIS,
Master, S.S." Phra C. C. Klao.”
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.- No. 472.
Information has been received from the Military Authorities that Artillery Practice will take place between the hours of 8 A.M. and 5.30 P.M. as under:-
On 10th, 11th and 12th December from Stone Cutter's Island in a South-Westerly
direction.
All Ships, Junks and other vessels are cautioned to keep clear of the range.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 5th December, 1894.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Acting Colonial Secretary,