538
No. 218.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 9TH DECEMBER, 1876.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Report of the Marine Court of Enquiry into the cause of a collision between the British steamer Leonor, Official No. 64,129, and the American brigantine Frances Lewy, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 8th December, 1876.
FINDING.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
The British Steam-ship Leonor, Official No. 64,129, MATTHEW YOUNG, Master, holding Certificate of Competency No. 32,637, left the White Dogs Anchorage, outside Foochow, in China, at about eight o'clock P.M. of the 19th November, bound to Tamsui, in Formosa. There was a fresh breeze at N. E. by E. with a moderate sea. The night was dark, but starlight. The Third Mate, HARRY THOMas Wavell, holding a Certificate of Competency as First Mate, obtained in Hongkong in July, 1872, was in charge of the deck from 8 P.M. to midnight. Mr. WAVELL had been in the Leonor about seven weeks, but was not on the Articles of Agreement of the ship when the collision occurred-in contravention of Section 157 of the "Merchant Shipping Act, 1854," and of Section V of Ordinance No. 6 of 1852. Mr. WAVELL was serving on probation, with a promise that, if he gave satisfaction, he would be regularly entered on the ship as part of the crew. Mr. WAVELL was entered on the Articles of the Leonor, on the 21st November, on the ship's arrival at Tamsui, after the collision.
The Leonor had a part of a general cargo, one European passenger, and eight or ten Chinese pas- sengers, in addition to her crew on board.
The Master, after setting the course for Tamsui, retired to his cabin at about to 11 P.M., and laid down on his bed. The ship was then going about eight knots an hour.
Soon after the Captain had retired, the Third Mate saw a bright white light being waved. He saw it for a few seconds at about 5 points on the port or weather bow. About four minutes later he saw a green light 5 points on the bow, in the same position in which the bright light had been seen. The Third Mate thought that the green light was 3 to 4 miles distant. He then left the bridge and called the Master, and, according to the latter's statement, the Third Mate reported that the light was on the port beam. The Master immediately came out of his cabin and went to the port side of the quarter deck, and he also saw the green light, but bearing 3 to 4 points on the port bow. The Master did not use glasses, but he thought the light was farther off than it proved to be. The Master at once gave orders to put the helm hard to starboard; which was done, and, when the Master, who hurried forward, reached the bridge ladder, he gave orders to stop the engines, and go astern full speed, which was also done. A few seconds after the latter orders were given, the Leonor struck the American brigantine Frances Lewy on the starboard quarter just abaft the main rigging, and the vessel gradually sank. The boats of the Leonor were instantly lowered, and the Master, Second Mate, four Seamen and Chinese Carpenter of the Frances Lewy were rescued, and taken to the Leonor. Two boats were kept searching for about three hours, but no one else was picked up. The Captains of the Leonor and Frances Lewy consulted, and concluded that it would be of no use to remain longer; and the Leonor, at about 1.40 A.M., proceeded on her voyage to Tamsui, where she arrived at 10 A.M. of the 20th November. The Chief Mate and Steward (Europeans), with three Chinese and a Japanese of the Frances Lewy were missing.
The Court is of opinion, that the Third Mate, Mr. HARRY THOMAS WAVELL, Officer of the watch of the Leonor, is guilty of great negligence in leaving the bridge, and in not adopting the proper means to avoid the collision, when first he saw the Frances Lewy's light. The Court directs that Mr. Wavell's Certificate of Competency (No. 441 Hongkong) be suspended for 12 months from this date.
The Court is also of opinion, that the Master, MATTHEW YOUNG (No. of Certificate of Competency 32,637), although not called until a collision was unavoidable, did not evince that readiness to meet the emergency, which he should have shown, but the Court sees no reason for suspending Captain YOUNG'S Certificate.
After the collision, the Master and Officers of the Leonor did all in their power to rescue the Officers and crew of the sunken vessel.
Given under our hands at Hongkong, this 4th day of December, 1876.
C. MAY,
First Police Magistrate.
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Harbour Master, &c.
EDWARD TOBIN,
R. H. CAIRNS,
H. E. SMITH,
Un-official Justice of the Peace. Government Marine Surveyor.
Commanding P. & O. S. N. Co.'s
Ship "Bombay."
Confirmed,
A. E. KENNEDY, Governor and Commander-in-Chief.