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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, JULY 12, 1907.
863
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT.
No. 462.-It is hereby notified that information has been received from H.B.M.'s Consul at Newchwang to the effect that quarantine restrictions have been imposed against. arrivals from Hongkong.
6th July, 1907.
A. M. THOMSON,
Colonial Secretary.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT.
No. 463. The following Finding of the Marine Court of Enquiry into the Collision between the S.S. Heung Shan and the Steamlaunch Fook On, is published.
11th July, 1907.
FINDING.
A. M. THOMSON,
Colonial Secretary.
We find that the British S.S. Heung Shan Official Number 95,855 registered at Hong- kong, owners, the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Co. of Hongkong, left Canton at 8 a.m. on the 28th June, on a voyage to Hongkong. That she arrived in Hongkong Harbour at about 3 p.m. on the same day; that according to custom, they began to "burn down" the fires on passing Cap Sui Mun, (a distance of about 5 miles from the Western Harbour Limit). That the average speed on the voyage as far as Cap Sui Mun, was 11 knots, which was gradually reduced after passing that passage. That, on passing the China Merchants' Wharf (situated 4,700 feet from the wharf of destination) the telegraph was put to slow, and engines reduced to 40-45 revolutions which should give her about 4 knots. That, on sighting the steamlaunch Fook On, the helm was put hard a starboard and 2 blasts blown on the whistle. Immediately after this the engines were reversed, but too late to avoid collision. That the steamlaunch Fook On was backing out from her wharf and that until she got clear of a longer wharf to the Westward she could not see the Heung Shan; that, on seeing her, a panic occurred on board the Fook On, which was intensified by the breaking of the bell wire. That, in consequence, everyone on board the launch left their stations, and- no steps were taken to avoid collision.
We consider that it would have been more satisfactory if more accurate note had been taken, in the engine room of the Heung Shan, of the times at which the several signals on the telegraph were made.
We hold that the officers of the Heung Shan are acquitted from all blame, and that the coxswain of the Fook On was guilty of an error of judgment.
Given under our hands at Victoria, Hongkong, this tenth day of July, 1907.
BASIL R. H. TAYLOR, Commander, R.N.,
Stipendiary Magistrate and President of the Court.
HENRY BUTTERWORTHI, Lieut., R.N.,
H.M.S. Tamar.
EDWARD BEETHAM,
Master, British S.S. Empress of India.
ALFRED STOKER,
Master, British S.S. Woolwich.
HENRY WALTER WALKER,
Master, British S.S. Kwong Tung.