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THE CHEUNG CHAU FERRY LAUNCH DISASTER.
INQUIRY RESUMED YESTERDAY, CAPT, LOŠSIUS'S EXPERIENCE ON A VOYAGE FROM CHEUNG CHAU",
The most intresting evidence given yesterday afternoon at the resumed sitting of the Government Commission Inquiry into the capsizing of the ferry launch, Fet Din Yuf, was that of Cap tain John Jacob Lossius, who described what must have been a rather exciting trip on the ill-fated launch from Cheung Chau to Hongkong during February or March of this year.
The launch capsized on July 8th at the conclusion of a voyage from Namtau to Hongkong. She had a large number al passangers on board and most of these were thrown into the water, between 20 and 30 being drowned. Commander C. W. Beckwith, B.N. (Marine Magistrate and Harbour Master), is Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, the other members being Mr. W. Davidson (Marino | Superintendent of the C.P.S.S, in Hong. kong) and Mr. F. V. James (cornful and
Engineer of
Swire),
At the commencement of his evidence" yesterday, Captain Lossius, who is resident of Cheung Chan, was asked by the Chairman if he had often travelled by the 'ee Din Yat. he did not know the name of the launch He replied that but he had certainly travelled by the launch which wunde the scheduled "even- ing trip to and from Cheung Chad.
The Chairman: In your opinion · was she safe?
Was
The Witness: 1 she had not many
abe on board passengers
safe enough.
"Now she is allowed to carry 131 vas: sengers. Would she have had that pum ber on board when you travelled by ber-Net when I travelled by her.
Under ordinary circumstances she was a good launch She was all right; quite an ordinary launch.
"THE BOXEKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST - 181, 1988.
Were people going ashore at the same time Yes, they were trying to do so at the same time."
Were they taking their baggage with theur at the same time-their goods and their laichess—Yes.
QUARTERMASTERS
HANDCUFFED...
NORTHERN - GUNBOATS ATTACK AMOY,
OFFICER'S ACTION THAT » MIGHT - SOUTHERN TROOPS OCCUPY
HAVE CAUSED MUTINY.".
Why did they not go from the other TROUBLE ON THE “HANG SANG,” ride of the launch - ordered the sen- men to tell the passengers to go to the other side, hut they took no notice.
Trouble' on board the as. Hung Sany
BRITISH SETTLEMENT,
· Cable advices reached the Colony from
gunboats had attacked Amoy on Monday; Amoy yesterday stating that Northern
How long was it before she sank/betweenthe second mate and a Chineo that Southers troops were occupying the
Two or three minutes. She went on one side and the wind blew and she capsized. Did the launch seem lighter than usual on that day -She was as usual:
How much coal did she carry 1 don't know the engineer will tell you.
How much cost did you have in at that time. Have you asked the engineer -
did not know.
Had the launch any ballast Yes, hold and nit hold.
quartermaster found a sequel at the Marine Court yesterday morning, before Commander C. W. Beckwith, when the officer concerned was found guilty of assaulting the Chinese. It was stated that the quartermaster came aboard bis vessel after being away without live The officer called him on to the bridgo,
British settlement and not allowing any
had been fired on in attempting to land one to land, and that the British Consul,
It is stated that the British. Naval Authorities have been asked to despatch gunboats for the protection of the settle iebt.
there was stone and cast iron in the fore in company with another quartermaster THE SOOKUMPO STABBING
About how much --I do not know how much, but I know there was sufficient
Have you seen it1-Yes.
Where were you when the launch.ent sized 1-I was at the wheel.
25
Do you remember the occasion coming from Cheung Chau when Captain Loasius took charge whilst the coxswain wu quarrelling with the second coxswain and they were both very frightened and the quartermaster was steering anywhere I ennnot remember.
who committed a similar offence, näd immediately clapped, both men into irons.
It was only on the remonstrance of the TWO third mate that he let the two men out, The complainant in the case struggled, and it was then that the assault took
OUTRAGE. CHINESE · MOTOR
CHARGED.
DRIVERS
In connection with the stabbing outrage at Sookumpo. Valley on July 26th when Indian watchinab, employed by
Tell the Court what happened just before the harsh carish are many Butterfield stopped at Salt Lane
squali craft came alongside and several place. dozens of coolies came on board. I real" There were two defendants. Mr. A. A ised the danger and shouted to them not B. Osmund, the second officer, and Mr. Mrs. A. S. Watson & Co., was stabbed to come on board, but they did and when they came I then shouted immediately K. D. Fairfax, the third officer. The in the chest by one of three Chinese who side so as to keep the stean launch plainant was Ng Kee Sui. to the passengers to go over to the over latter was found not guilty. The com.had engaged him in conversation, the police have arrested two Chinese," They steady. They also did not take any notice and a little while later the ship Complainant stated that he returned were brought before Mr. J. R. Wood, yes! listed and some, wind came and the to the ship at about three o'clock on terday; and charged with attempted Flannch went over.
Have you ever been frightened that Sunday afternoon last. The two officers murder, or, in the alternative, with the launch was not a good onel-1 know were standing on the bridge deck, and maliciously assaulting the Indian that the launch is quite safe,
Hub-Inspector Cockle, in outlining the the prcond officer called him up. With witness WIL another quartermaster, Line, said it was alleged that the two Kum Ling. He also was called on to defendants and another man," not in the bridge deck. On arrival there the enstody, met the Indian watchman at second mate told, them that they had com- about the function of the Shaukiwan mitted an offence in geing shore without Road, but the exact locality could not be Did the launch roll slowly and came Did you consider she was all right back slowly, or did she roll quickly and
leave and he would have to take them stated at the moment as the complainant was still in the French Hospital in ä In fine weather and with a moderate come back quickly She rolled very both to the captain. He thereupon number of passengers on board she quickly.
serious conditio.... fetched out handcuffs and clapped them
It was alleged that would he all rights
What life saving appliances did the What do you mean by a moderate num-launch have-She had two dozen life on to both of the quartermasters. The during the conversation which took place later the first defendant struck the Indian belts and four life buoyi. They were other 13:1221 he eventually let go, stored on the deck, some on the bridge bar kept the complainant. The third
on the clear with a dagger, and from and some on the forehold.
How many boats had she -None. officer held him still, and the second quiries made by the policw it was found that this man owed the Indian the sum Doesn't carry a boat of any sort1-No. officer assaul him. He
given. Mr. Davison: Did she have any cargo black eye, his face was cut and he was of 37. Inspector Cockle said that they in the holds --No, there were only pas-bruised all over the body. The handcuffs dagger, which was produced in Court, sengers there.
were then taken off him and he was taken was taken from the Indian's chest after Were any passengers in the bold before the exptain. Yes, in the forehold, and suine baggage.
Did any passengers go down" aftdence. He stated that he did not see the "A formal remand was asked for, the None if there were there were only two third officer strike the complainant, but Inspector informing the Magistrate that he did see the second officer strike him the Crown Solicitor would appear for the The Chairman; One of the passengers
Osmund wont into the witnessbox and next hearing of the case, has given evidence to the effect that admitted putting them both into ina, Mr. AE. Hall, appeared for the when she was on her last trip it was He stated that they were only handcuffed defence, said that his case was quite a very rough and the launch rolled heavily. for about two minutes, and then, on the simple one; it would be that of all. The passengers got frightened and the advice of the third officer, he took the 'He asked if the defendants might be. Wan that the occasion then you took men started running from one side to the handcuffs of. Li Kam Ling had had no allowed out on bail charge of the launch?
other whilst the women were kept amithing formerly against him and so wit Witness replied that he did take ship. Is that right? The launch did ness allowed him to go. But the com-bail would have to be referred to the Mr. Wood said that the question of charge of the launch on one occasion rull a little and I had to order the menplainant had previously caused a good Captain "Superintendent of Police during the month of February or March to keep steady."
deal of trouble and so he took him along the meantime, he would grant a week's of this your. There was a rough sea and Where was that at Castle Peak to the captain's cabin. On the way, the formal remand. the coxswains were quarrelling and no- Yes, about Castle Peak.
handcuffs being off, the quartermaster body appeared to be in charge, The
attacked defendant, and so he hit him engineer came up on the deck and said there was something wrong with the
more or less in self-defence. boilers. The coxswains were frightened and the quartermaster was steering in the wrong direction.
ber of passengers he is allowed 131.
The witness made no reply and the question was rejected, the Chairman ask ing the witness what he considered to be a safe number of passengers, pointing out again that the launch was allowed 131.
The Witness: About half that number of passengers would be quite enough.
The Chairman: Was she in your opin jon a tender launch It was blow" ing hard when I came across and she healed over to the helm, but the was assisted by the sea...
Had you many passengers on that ores- sion-Down below there were quite number, but there were only two on the top deck.
no.
A
The Chairman Were you frightened ↑ .. The Witness (most emphatically): No!
You took charge of the ship, and brought her into Hongkong?-Yes, she leaves Cheung Chau at 7 o'clock in the evoning after having done a trip from: Hongkong.
Did she roll about -Yes, but I kept her, head to the wind. She was quite reasonable when I kept her head up, but nearly all the passengers travelled on the leo side for shelter which made it rather awkward.
This was all the evidence offered by Capt Lossius
THE COXSWAIN'S EVIDENCE. The Coxswain (Chan Kun) was next valled. He said he had been coxawain
The Chairman: Was there much cargo ou bourd besides the passengers 7-About 50 piculs of cargo.
Asked us to the route, the witness said
or three.
Were the passengers frightened-They did not fear much, but when they went from one side to the other and the ship gave a little list. I had to caution them to keep steady.
Did the passengers run from one side to the other-They did not rug; they | walked. They went from the windward side to the leeward side and I told the crew to tell them to keep steady.
ENGINEER'S EVIDENCE.
Ng Hoi, engineer in charge of the launch, said he had been on the launch for over five years. She carried, as a rule, about 8 to tons of coal. In Sum- mer weather she burned on the voyage from Namtau to Hongkong, of a ton of coal. On this occasion she had one ton on board on arrival in Hongkong, The ashes were carried in the engine room on both sides. These are dropped into deep water on the Cheung Chan trip.
Li Kam Ling gave corroborative evi- he had been admitted to hospital..
The Magistrate: Would not these men come with you to the captain without all You were not this formality of irons? dealing with pirates you know?
Defendant stated that he let the men out of the irons after a very short time.
The Magistrate: Did it not seem to you a very silly and a very stupid thing to do to put me in irons for the offence of staying ashore without leave?
Defendant replied that it might have bien so...
The Magistrate: Did they let you put them in irons!
-Defendant: Yes, sir.
"
The Magistrate (sarenstically): They sccrued to like it?
Defendant: They came quite quietly, The Magistrate: Did you strike the plaintiff when he was in irons ?
Defendant: No, sir: His Worship asked the defendant whe.
The Chairman: Was the hull dry at the time of the disaster 1-There was nother he had ever been on a ship before water in the bilges.
the bilges I use the donkey pump.
What means have you of pumping out Hnd the launch any ballast Yes, there were stones and cast iron. I don't
Have you ever had any fear that the launch was unsafe-No, I felt it to be quite sale.
No.
|
"
$1
A QUIET LITTLE GAME OF PAIKÄU.
In
Three men at the Magistracy yesterday ploaded "guilty" to a charge of gambling stating that they were having a 'quiet little gamo of paikan." Another man appeared in the same case but in addition to being charged with gambling he was charged with keeping a gambling house,"
The Magistrate pointed out to the defondants that they had the benefit of the advice of Mr. Huss who was appar ently retained for the dofence.
Mr. Russ intervened with the remark They have not the benefit of my advice. I only appear for the first defondant,"
The Magistrate: Does your client plead guilty."1
Mr. Russ: If my client had been
of putku only, I think he would have. charged with playing a quiet little gaine pleaded guilty, but a charge of keep- nga gambling house is much more serious.
The three men, who pleaded guilty to and at the request of Mr. Russ the case charge of gambling, were fined $2 each against the first defendant (Mr. Russ client) was adjourned.
Mr. C. Webb, chief officer of the liang Sung, stated that he was ashore at the time the incident happened. It was the duty of the second officer to regulate the comings and goings of the quarter wasters. Osmund appeared to him to be a very capable officer, and bis bundling of the men had always been all that could be desired. Witness went on to say that the complainant had caused a good deal of minor trouble one way
or another while his was on the ship, and on the day of the assault he came on board and asked to be paid up and allowed, to" go, Witness told him that this was ridiculous since his articles did not expire, for su other month. He believed Osmund had laen with the firm for about three years
of the launch for seven or eight months.' He had been engaged on the several runs
where the Chinese quartermasters did not between Hongkong and Hauhoi (near
stag ashore without leave if they had Namtuo) and between Cheung Chau and
no particular work to do. Is it cus Hongkong daily. He carried a "crew of
tomary
the Heng Sang," he asked, 12 There was a quartermaster on board know how much, but the ballast has been quartermasters for uflences of this sort, for the officers to start ironing their but no other certificated coxswaio.
there since the launch was bought Coming to the day of the disastor the
Had the launch a bad list on the voy-men of some sea knowledge and experi witness said the launch left Namtau at
деп who are your petty 0 am, and arrived at Hongkong about That day there was a little list, but
age from Namtau-worse than usualence, and
officers? 12.30 p.n. He had between 70 and 80 nothing unusual. There was some wind
Defendant's reply was unintelligible. passengers on board. The accountant and rain and the people would go to
The Magistrato: How do you account issued tickets to them. There were about 10 passengers on the bridge. They fresh water in the two tanks in the aft
one side. There were about two tous of for the complainant's black eye?
Defendant: I hit him after he had had no baggage with them.
when hill. hold. The tanks carry six tons of water the irons off.
The Magistrate: What made you attack him
Defendant: He attacked me, sir! The Magistrate: Don't you think be he used the Chia Wan Chunnel. He used this in preference to the Capsuiniun
Have you any shares in the Jaugch was justified in attacking you after you
had put him in irons? Channel as there was some wind and the "After the vessel listed over what hap
Defendant; I don't know, sir; perhaps sea was rough. The launch did not roll one I saw the water pouring down he was...
nuch, but when they left Namtau there was a little wind and rain and the Lunch launch sank......
in the engine room. I got out and the
The Magistrale: How many blows did you deal him! had a light list. The awnings, were
Defendant About half a dozen. aproad and the sidescreens were down on
Osmund told his Worship that the third both aidés, The proper berthage of the Leong Fu Wing, the accountant of me launch was at. Pottinger Street, but launch, said he had been on the launch officer did not strike or hold the com-
plainant at AH: overy day she stopped at Sult Fish Lane for a little over a month. · At Namtau he and then went on to Pottinger street took on board between 70 and 80 passen. as soon as the two men arrived on the had been a good deal af hard lying. Ho Fairfax. the third officer. stated that The Magistrato remarked that there gers. He issued tickets to them. The bridge the second mate put them in believed the complainant had lied with The Chairman: Do passengers Ho ticket book was lost when the launch irons. Witness did not help him in any regard to air. Fairfax's alleged part in ashore in aanpaas from the upch at sank. There were about 70 baskets of way, and ho did not oven touch either the assault on purpose Salt Fish Lano?—Yes.
cargo on board. He did not consider of the men. He turned to the second case stronger. He was satisfied that Mr make his own Have you ever had any trouble before this very much. It was about the usual mate after he had handcuffed the men Fairfax had actually nothing to do with with the launch heeling over to the amount. aide whenkers were being.
The Chairman: Did it strike you as and asked whether he did not think it the assault in any way whatsoever. There. disembarked?
surser that it was a dangerous practice was rather willy ironing them for such fere he diznissed the case against him. The witness did not understand the to have all these people walking about an offence. He suggested that it was not I consider," continued His Worship, question which was sppeated, special the launch, getting on and going off? perhaps he was right and ho removed the and childish manner in putting the worth it. The second mate agreed that that the ccond officer acted in 'a stupid emphasis being laid on the disembarks in former days, the launch did not list irons. The man Li Kam Ling he let go plaintiff and his witness in irons for tion of passengers at Salt Fish Lane, and so bad, but on that day the wind was the witness replied he had aaver expori-blowing hard and the sampans all came and the complainant he took to the capeing absent without leave. By to doing enced any danger of capsizing before. to one side and the passengers rushed tain. On the way witroes saw there was hus night casily bave caused a mutiny in
Witness went on to say that the launch to that side.
a struggle between the two men.
the ship. According to his own statemenl Ind been stopped three or four minutes before capsizing. There were over too
officer's head..
when he was out of the irons. I find the small boats, containing ecveral dozens of people coming out to meet the launch at the titho,
berth.
Dal these people come on bourd ?--Yes;
Sir.
THE ACCOUNTANTS TESTIMONY-
In reply to Mr. James, witness said the thought the quartermaster struck at the he caught the plaintiff and struck at him
pusstugers usually went ashore from both sides of the launch but on this day the wind was blowing hard and the sam. pais went to the leeward sidle,
The Inquiry then adjourned until this Afternoon at 3 p.m.
"Struck at his head," remarked the Magistrate, thinking of the disparity in size between the two men. "Why, he would need a step ladder to reach it,
(Continued at foot of nezl Column.);
second officor guilty and taking into con. sideration hix previous good character
ply order him to pay compensation as the complainant, and $70 fine, with the option of one mouth's hard labour.”
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