THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 10TH DECEMBER, 1879. 827
4. The Proccedings of the Court have come before me in a letter from the Harbour Master in which he says, that as the Certificate of the Second Mate has been suspended, the Proceedings require my confirmation under paragraph 5, Section 242, of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854.
5. I confirm the Finding of the Court, as far as it declares that the Hongkong Junk No. 1,545 was run into and capsized by the Steamer Amoy, that the Junk was totally lost and six persons drowned, and that the collision was due to want of proper care and skill on the part of the Second Mate and Officer of the Watch of the Steamer Amoy; but, looking to the evidence of the Chief Mate, who was on deck at the time, that he did not blow the whistle, nor order a backturn of the Engines, nor lower a boat, I cannot confirm that portion of the Finding of the Court relating to the Chief Mate, which in my opinion deals too leniently with that Officer.
6. It appears from the Master's statement, as herein recorded, that other Proceedings in this case have been settled by the payment of $2,000 by Messrs. SIEMSSEN & Co., the Agents of the Amoy. Looking to the somewhat unprotected position of the parties aggrieved, I cannot, as this matter has come officially before me, refrain from saying that the payment of $2,000 is an inadequate compensa- tion for the loss of the Junk and the six lives, and that I am advised that, if there had been no such settlement, the parties aggrieved would probably recover in our Vice Admiralty Court a larger sum.
J. POPE HENNESSY, Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
19th November, 1879.
No. 255.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Notices to Mariners are published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 10th December, 1879.
Government of Queensland.
NOTICE TO MARINERS.
No. 19 of 1879.
PRINCE OF WALES CHANNEL, TORRES STRAITS.
W. H. MARSH,
Colonial Secretary.
A CAN Buoy, painted black, is now placed off the southern extremity of d. Recf, in 4 fathoms at low-water.
Department of Ports and Harbours, Brisbane, 30th September, 1879.
G. P. HEATH, Commander, R.N.,
Portmaster.
NOTICE TO MARINERS.
No. 20 of 1879.
REVOLVING LIGHT, DENT ISLAND, WHITSUNDAY PASSAGE.
On and after this date a Revolving Dioptric Light, of the 4th order, will be exhibited from the western side of Dent Island, about 8 cables from its southern extremity. The light stands at an elevation of 120 feet above high-water mark, and attains its greatest brilliancy every thirty seconds.
It is visible from the Anchor Islands, west about, until shut in to the northwards by Cid Island, and can be seen from a distance of 16 miles.
The tower, which is circular, is painted white, and is 33 feet in height.
G. P. HEATH, Commander R.N.,
Department of Ports and Harbours, Brisbane, 13th October, 1879.
Portmaster.