MARINE COURTS, UNDER SECTION 13 OF ORDINANCE No. 8 OF 1879.
33. The following Courts have been held during the year :-
1. On the 30th June, 1887.-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Benledi, Official No. 65,767 of Leith, on the "Boat Rocks" to the South West of the Lammocks Island Lighthouse, on the 18th June, 1887. The Master's (JAMES LAWSON RIDDOCH) Certificate of Competency was returned to him. In this case the Harbour Master (President of the Court) disagreed with the Finding, and under Sub-section 5, Section 13, Ordinance 8 of 1879, reported to the Governor his reason for dissent therefrom. 2. On the 22nd November, 1887.-Inquiry as to the burning and loss of the British Steam- ship Wah Yeung, Official No. 88,834 of Hongkong, near Chuen Pee Point, in the Canton River, on the 15th November, 1887, resulting in great loss of life. The Master's (JOHANNES H. A. WITT) Certificate of Competency was suspended for three months.
3. On the 28th November, 1887.-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Killarney, Official No. 65,876 of Dublin, which was run down and sunk by the British Steam-ship Crusader, Official No. 63,856 of Glasgow, in Iloilo Bay, Philippine Islands, on the 14th November, 1887. The Master of the Killarney's (JAMES O'NEILL) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
4. On the 22nd December, 1887.-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Lorne, Official No. 62,297 of Leith, on the East Coast of Hainan, on the 3rd December, 1887, resulting in loss of life. The only surviving Officers so far as can be ascertained being the Second Mate and the Third Engineer. No blame was attached to the Master (WILLIAM HENTER) or any of the Officers.
SEAMEN.
34. 9,458 Seamen were shipped at the Shipping Office during the year, and 10,378 discharged. this discrepancy is owing to Consuls representing foreign flags not applying as hitherto for permits to ship Seamen on board their respective vessels, consequently no record of such shipping can now be kept.
MARINE SURVEYOR'S SUB-Department.
35. I append a return of the work performed by the Surveyors, since Mr. BREWER's first appointment.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Colonial Secretary,
&c.,
&c.
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Harbour Master, &c.