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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12TH MAY, 1883.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 174.
The following finding of a Marine Court appointed to enquire into the loss of the British Steamer Minard Castle, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 12th May, 1883.
W. H. MARSII,
Colonial Secretary.
FINDING.
1. We find that on the 10th April, 1883, at about 9.15 A.M., the British Steam-ship Minard Castle, Official No. 85,115 of London, 1,596 tons register, Master, RICHARD SKINNER, No. of Certificate of Competency 31,134, struck on a sunken rock 600 yards East of the Island of Cheung Chau in the West Lamma Channel, and that the vessel sank shortly afterwards in 8 fathoms water about 600 yards South of that Rock.
2. From a survey made by Lieutenant BELAM of H.M.S. Magpie, we find the rock marked "Dries at low water" in Admiralty Chart No. 1,466 is placed 115 yards N. 66° 41′ W. of its proper position. That a sunken rock with 6 feet on it at Low water springs has been found bearing S. 38° 35′ E., 75 feet, from the proper position of the rock marked "Dries at low water," on which the Minard Castle struck.
3. We find that while the Ship was in Pilotage waters the Master placed the Third Mate, Mr. MULLEN, No. of whose Certificate of Competency is 98,688 (Master Ordinary), in charge of the Ship at 8.35 A.M. giving a course, but omitting to point out any dangers which the vessel was likely to pass. The Master then went below to his breakfast, and returned to the Bridge at or about 9.10 A.M. A few minutes afterwards the Ship struck on the sunken rock referred to.
4. We find that the course ordered to be steered by the Master before he left the Bridge was a prudent one, had there been no set of the tide.
5. We find that the Officer left in charge of the deck shewed great want of attention to his duties in not having it reported to the Master that the ship was being set to the North West, and that he had altered the ship's course.
6. The Court having considered the whole of the circumstances connected with the loss of this ship are of opinion, that the Master, RICHARD SKINNER, was not justified in leaving the deck while the vessel was in Pilotage waters.
7. The Court hereby suspend the Certificate of Competency of RICHARD SKINNER No. 31,134 for a period of nine months; and the Certificate of Competency of JOHN MULLEN No. 98,688 is suspended for a period of three months. We recommend that these Officers be furnished with a First Mate's Certificate.
Given under our hands at Victoria, Hongkong, this Twenty-first day of April, 1883.
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Stipendiary Magistrate, &c.
Approved,
G. W. BALLISTON,
JNO. P. HASSALL,
W. A. TURPIN,
G. F. BOWEN,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
A Commissioned Officer in the Royal Navy.
Master, Brit. S.S. “Bangalore.”
Master, Brit. S.S. "Gaelic."