104
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 27, 1920.
No. 111. His Majesty the KING has not been advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to the following Ordinances :-
Ordinance No. 21 of 1919.-An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Eleven million one hundred and seventy-three thousand two hundred and twenty-six Dollars to the Public Service of the year 1920.
Ordinance No. 22 of 1919.-An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the law
relating to Places of Public Entertainment.
COUNCIL CHAMBER,
26th February, 1920.
NOTICES.
A. G. M. FLETCHER,
Clerk of Councils.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT.
No. 112. The following Finding of the Marine Court of Enquiry held on the 19th February, 1920, to enquire into the circumstances in connection with the stranding of the Steamship Hong Wan I, is published for general information.
FINDING.
We find that the British S.S. Hong Wan 1, Official Number 73866 of Singapore, Master HAROLD PERCY ROBINSON, the number of whose certificate of competency as master is 3701 (Singapore), left Kulangsu Harbour, Amoy, at 6.20 p.m. on 9th January, 1920, on a voyage to Swatow, with a general cargo, and 1,113 Chinese passengers. That the weather was foggy, and though at the time the pilot was dropped the light on Tsing Seu Island was visible at a distance of 5 miles, nothing was visible shortly afterwards. That the ship struck on the rocks to N.W. of Hwanghwa Island at 7.20 p.m.
We consider that the cause of the casualty was an unexpected Easterly set, which carried ship one mile out of her course.
We are of opinion that, although the master was justified in relying upon the arrows, indicating the set of the tides, marked on Admiralty Chart No. 1767, he was ill-advised in continuing on his course under the circumstances, which included the fact that the fog obscured all marks: and in proceeding at full speed in such narrow waters, after losing sight of the light which he was approaching.
There being no evidence of negligence or incompetence or misconduct on the part of the master or other officer of the ship, and all necessary steps for the safety of the ship, cargo, and passengers having been taken after the stranding, we do not consider it necessary to deal with certificates of competency.
Given under our hands at Victoria, in the Colony of Hongkong, this Nineteenth day of February, 1920.
(Signed)
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BASIL TAYLOUR, Captain, R.N.,
Stipendiary Magistrate and President of the Court.
H. F. CURRY,
H.M.S. Alacrity.
S. ROBINSON,
Master, British S.S. Empress of Russia.
E. WALKER,
Master, British S.S. Morialta.
F. MOONEY,
Master, British S.S. Laisang.
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