94
No. 40.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 2ND MARCH, 1872.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Decision of the Marine Court of Inquiry into the Loss of the British Steamer Chu Kiang, Official Number 63,541, on Reef Island, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 29th February, 1872.
FINDING OF THE COURT.
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
1st.—That the British Steamer Chu Kiang, Official No. 63,541, sailed from Shanghai, bound for Hongkong at 5 A.M. on the 4th February, 1872, having a cargo of Rice and Sundries, and a total Crew of 40 hands (including the Supercargo and his staff); of which the Master, two Officers, three Engineers and Carpenter were Europeans, also one European and sixteen Chinese Passengers.
2nd. That at 8 A.M. on the 5th February, Hea Chu was distinctly sighted and the ship's position known; the weather was hazy, increasing to thick fog during the afternoon of the 5th February. 3rd. That the fog was dense during the night of the 5th February, continuing so on the morning of the 6th at about 8 A.M. land was seen, believed to be the Scattered Yits, but it is clear that this was a mistake, and even if so the vessel was known to be out of position as expected from the course and distance run.
4th. That at about 10 A.M., breakers were seen ahead not five hundred yards from the vessel, and at this juncture from the wheel being put hard a-starboard the port wheel rope broke, the vessel striking on the rocks of Reef Island, Lat. 25° 17′ 45" North, Long. 119° 47′ 45′′ East, becoming a total wreck in a short time.
5th. During the whole of the dense fog the vessel was kept at full speed, and when unexpected and uncertain land was seen, soundings were not taken, and no effort made to find out the true position. 6th. The Court finds that there was an absence of prudent precaution which demands a marked expression of condemnation, and therefore suspends the Certificate of the Master for Six Months from this date.
7th. The Court further finds that the Mate is deserving of a reprimand for the careless and insufficient manner in which he kept the Ship's Log, and that he offered no suggestion to the Master to take necessary precautions.
Confirmed,
No. 41.
Given under our hands at Hongkong, this 27th day of February, 1872.
RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL,
Governor.
29th February, 1872.
C. MAY,
..First Police Magistrate.
R. H. CAIRNS, ...Acting Harbour Master. J. McDOUALL,................Un-official Justice of the Peace. W. M. GILLSON, Masters, Mercantile Marine. W. H. G. HOCKIN,
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Notices to Mariners received from the Admiralty, are published for general information.
By Command,
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 29th February, 1872.
The substance of this Notice, as soon as it is received on board, is to be inserted in red ink on the Charts affected by it; and introduced into the margin, or otherwise in the page, of the Sailing Directions to which it relates. See Instructions, Navigation and Pilotage, p. 172.
NOTICE TO MARINERS.
[No. 89.] JAPAN--KIUSIU-NAGASAKI, Iwo Sima Light.
With reference to Notice to Mariners No. 76, dated 28th July 1870, respecting the establishment of a temporary light on the North point of Iwosima, at the entrance of Nagasaki harbour, until the completion of a lighthouse for a permanent light.
The Japanese Government has given further Notice, that the lighthouse for the permanent light is now completed, and the light exhibited from it.