HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER
Another Naval Court Martial Court Martial
"Peterfield's"
Commander
ין
28, 1931.
0.-in-C, and the Charts..........
I went in as the starboard doer and said to-the-Commander-in Chief, "Yon asked me to bring you down the charts." Lady Kelly then got up and said to the Admiral, Parhaps you would like to dis
Gives he asked to be called either cuss this together and made as
His Version Of Stranding
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AS WITNESS.
A steand court-martial, arising out of the loss of H.M.S. Peters- field, was held on board H.M.S. Tamir yesterday, when Comdr." 1. Lang, Captain of the Petersfield, wan charged with:-
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(a) Taşi negligently or by default he did cause H.M.S. Petorsfold to be lost,
(0) That negligently or by default he did strand E.M.S. Petersfield,, and
(a) That negligentyy or by desault hè did hazard H.M.S. Potorsfield.'
Condr. Lang pleaded not guilty to all three charges, und gop- ducted his own defence, with the assistance of his "Friend," Lt.- Comdr. Dowse.
The hearing of the cake proceeded throughout the lay, and after this summing up of the case for the prosecution "by Capt. Godfrey, the Court adjourned until 9,30 this morning,
BY WHOSE ORDERS?
H.
The Court was compesing of the
Lines of Soundings. following: Commodore, A, What soundings were taken und Walker (President), Capt. E. J. Q. why 1-Soundings were taken- be MacKinnon (II.M.S. Hermes) twech about 16.13 and 19.12. They Capt. G. H
were taken then because there were Knowles (H..., three distinct lines of soundings Cornwall), Capt. C. N.. Rayna parallel to our truck. One of our (H.M.S. Berwick) G. P. Bowen track was about 10 fathoms in (H.M.S. Kent),
dopth. There was a line closer in shore of about 12 fathoms and an har line closer in shore of about sight fathoms. As we got soal ings of 10-17 fathoms 1 considered that we had established the one ship was no closer in-store, that we supposed. After 19:15 1 sidered that soundings would be of no value in the navigation of the ship.
Paymaster Licul Commander -Wheeler (H.M.S.-Medway) was the Judge Advocate, while Capt. J. H: Godfrey (H.M.S. Suffolk) prosecut. ed. Accused's "friend" was Limut Commander Dows (H.M.S. Berwick.
Lieut. GLA.. Pract, who, вля severely reprimanded at his own Court Martial yerday gave svi dence of certain books having been lost in the wreck, and was cross. examined by "defendant.
"Do as I ChooNG.""
do it in your considered opinion that if I had taken soundings from 2200 until the time the ship struck, ho indication would have been ar rived at thereafter as to my posi tion --That is my opinion.
in-Chief reading the Sailing Dire
Did you ever see the Commander- tions I saw him reading a yellow bound book in the Chant House Shortly after he left the Chart House I went in and found on the desk, where he had been standing, a copy of the Chinn Pilot volume
Asked the nature of the reply of the Commander-in-Chief to defen- dant, on the occasion of assistanes rendered to a junk crew, when he stated he did not want to go to close to the wrecked junk in case the Petersfield was swept onto the rocks, witness said the Commander five, opened at the page dealing in-Chief replied
that defendant with tidal streams. was not there to do as he wished p but to do as he chose. This incisidal streams ca the coast, witnes After saying that there wure dent pecurred a day or so before said he saw thes of the Petersfield:
the Commander-in Chief reading the book sometime.
At 14.00 when high land was after 14.00. sighted over the mast what did the Commander-in-Chief say -He said
he thought the land sighted was
"Damn Well Got to."
Then it was after reading this
one of the large islands of the Tai-yellow book which, presumably, was cho group and that we had had the Sailing Directions, that the the tidal stream against us all the Commander-in-Chief told you he way and not with un.
considered it was safe to go antil
discussion in the
Did we not clearly establish by 03.00 1-Yes. Axes that the side had been definite During our ly with ust-We had established Chart House at about 02.40 you that we were making about 13.3 said to me, "Do you think knots over the ground while doing safe to go on" What was my re revolutions for a little under twelve, ply-You said you had to go on When Coin Island was not sight because the Commander-in-Chief ed and we wished to alter course said ao.
was to be called This is what from his own observations,
or seen of Tung Yung by this he
I understood is to mean.
What did he actually any-He
first gave instructions as to how
11
Observations of Currants.
将
time we
ין.
on sighting Tung Yang Island or if to leave the saloon,' I am not
at three o'clock."
Those instrucquite sure whether she stayed or
tions, said witness, wore to be turn-
ed over to his rulior.
Was the Captain on the bridgo after that No.
not,
1 showed the Commander-in-Chief this chart and explained to him my
Licas. Commander Chichester. hours, although the north-east mon said he was the Officer of the Mid-proposals as worded in my report. anon drift could have been assistin dle Watch. At midnight the wen-He most definitely agreed to these it had it been running. I therefore ther was clear, visibility was good, proposals with the only possible ex- thought that in 12 hours, frem 14.00 the sen was calm and wind forceception of that. about the anchor. hours until 02.00 hours, we could
was 2.3. Fog came down at 00.00 As I turned to go out of the saloon, experionen more, sat up the const
but at 1.50 the, weather cleared. No he said, "But I would like to see than down, but as a precantion extra look-out was placed when the the Navigator with estimated at 12 knots although I fog descended and no lcok-out was inter."
the charts considered that the speed by revola-put forrard, in the bows. Also no tions should be 11.8 knots.
soundings were taken,
#
At what time did you have the
Cross-examined, accused said he interview with the Commander-in-tain at 00.50 and he remained on in-Chief personally on receiving He said that he called the Cap-did not go to nen the Commander.. Chief in the Chart House concern- the bridge until he went into the the message from Lieut. Pratt. ing whether the ship should "stand Chart House shortly before the
Capt. Godfrgoy-Why That is on safely until 03.007-Immedi-grounding. The navigator was call
very embarrassing question to ately after the alteration of led at 02.20, coming up shortly after, course at 18.30 when he also gave wards and going to the Captain in instructions ns to how we were to the Chart House, proceed after sighting Tung Yung.
About 18,35-Yon.
The Groanding."
Answer.
Orders by Prox},"
Accused stated: I think by thon- I was gasting, shall I say apprehen- sive of discussing with the Com- mander-in-Chief my plans or his Wish, Opinion or Order?
Witness said he saw a ling of message was correctly delivered 1—- What guarantee had you that the In what way did you interpret breakers on the port bow and crNone, except is was brought to m the Commander-in-Chief's remaries dered the engines astern and called by a Lientebant. at that time--I thought he meant
to the Captain that there was a to Bay to stand on unil three
rock the port beam. He came c'clock and not stop at 02.00.
on to the bridge and said,
Ta it custoinary for you to receive Did you interpret his remarks aaee nothing. Carry on," About the Commander's wishes by proxy? wish, as al opinion, or as a
this time witness said he saw aYes, on many occasions; der I took it to be an order te
rock ahead, the ship still had reads the Captain.
way and was swinging to starboard, portant matter of deciding your Do you not think that in this im- Did it occur to you that that or hitting on the port side, The navi-navigational policy, it would have der should be carried out trespec- gator called out that there was better to have sought a persoonl tive of fog or close proximity to water astern and as, by that time, interview with the Commander-in- and --After the orter was given the ship had lost hundway witness Chief rather than have accepted asked the Commander-in-Chier if stopped the port engine and revers words which, after all, were only he considered it safe to stand on "ed the helm. A roport came hearsay evidenen E was not Je- and he replied that he thought through that ย propellor had ciding my course of action. 1 had was safe unless it was very Toggy.
struck.
would have been much better if I been decided for me. Of course, ib had gone down, as things turned out.
11
From that bime an did you're Capt. Godfrey-Looking back on gard yourself and the Captain as do you consider the ship might free agents I considered. I wa,have been saved if you had acted personally, a free agent and my
in any other manner than you did? Captain's authority.
-No.
Witness added he could not any how Commander Lang interpreted the message from the Commander in-Chief, nor whether or not. Com manden Lang sought corroboration
of the order.
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At what tiho did the Captain ase the words "We have damn well go to go on "-Before 02.37.
My point is you say it appeared Cross-examined. withoms said that given to you by the Commander-in- to you that an order" was being between midnight and 00.30 visibil Chief, an order which was in dire ty was good and it was quite crear confict with your better judgment being clear to the horizon. By dead and which you took no steps t reckoning be considered that the ahip was within the range of Tungstances would it not have been bet question. Lader these cireuzn Yang light, which had a range of tor to have seen him and stated 25 miles, at 00.15.
your views Yay.
Did you see the light -No.
41
Tung Yung Light..
As you did not see it by 00:15 did you think we were then within 25 miles, which is its normal range
I thought we should be outside 25 miles
Do you consider between 02,00 and the time when we struck that if we had been within five miles of Tung Yung we should have seen it? Yes.
Do you consider there was any indication of a heavier mist or fog higher up than it was at the level cf our mast head-No.
Witness said, in reply to further questions, that he did not entertain any doubts as to the safety or the ahip. The wind was about 9-3 north
west.
What were your resans for tront- ing this as a hard and fast order ?~-~- when the message was given. 1 gathered that it was no order
that creep into verbal mewuges-
You are aware of the ambiguities. with every good wish, in the world? -Yox.
to be a remarkable order natural Receiving what appoured to you prudence, should, I suggest, have made you seek an interview and clear it up. Do you agree Yes..
must be adhered to until 03.00 ut Did you consider that that order all costs, irrespective of decreasing If the weather had been very joggy visibility and proximity of land 1- I should have certainly disobeyed the order and stopped before three o'clock, but as the weather was not at least two and a half miles I con- foggy and there was visibility of widered that this order was stil binding.
"Evidence was given by two Navi- gating Officers, who had worked out the ship's courae and, in reply to accused's Friend, they said that in- formation of currents on the Chluaramark you rande, about 2.30 to your Then how do you account for the coast was most unreliable.
Evidends by seamen as to weather and orders delivered was given.
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2
he was to be eailed on any lights why it was being blown 7-I im in his order book and stated that Did you form any opinion as to being sighted or any land being agined it was because visibility was sighted, if the weather become foggy, or if any ship approached This closed the enso for the pro- secution and Commander Lang
near; there was als
a Warning
reduced.
go on because the Commander-in- Navigating Officer, that you must Chief hd said so, and at a time when, hy your own dead reckoning, the ship was within four or five miles from land Because visibility was between two and three miles,
Question of Opinion,
Was
"I Nothing Was Sighted." Following this, Lieut. Pratt was 90 degrees to port to make certain Can you remember my exact Watch Officer and Night Orders.
re-eniled by the Court. He was of clearing some other Islands, words1-1 cannot remember exactly what reply from the Commander We've damn well get to go on, but it was something very like this,
Lieut. Commander Mundy, officer sked what his orders were as to in-Chief did I bring hack on to the
of the first watch, between being called out during the night Do you think that a sane thing bridge-When you came back on boy, becaus
bears and midnight, stated that and in reply said that he left a the Commander-in- at 22.00 the wind was on the part chit to be called at 02.00 if nothing light of high elevation not having to do under those conditions, the to the brides you told me that the Chief said so.' Commander-in-Chief had said it,
side, aproximately 8.E., force 3-3 had been sighted, He was called Replying to accused, witness, said Sea was 3-4. Visibility was about about 2.20, and, was told that the you, yourself, considered it, neces been sighted and at a time when was unnecessary to alter course so that although the Sailing Direesix railes. At oven o'clock the Captain had said it was unnecessary to work the siren 1-By this degrees to port but that you were tions stated that there was a dewind veered 18 points, going roundry for him to be called at two time it had been an impressed upon to alter course to south ag 18:30.
finite southerly current down the to north-West. At twelve o'clock
b'clock, Orders for the Night.
conet, if the N.. monsoon really visibility had increased to 12 miles. ness said he heard the siren sound and I was probably beginning to me by the Commander-in-Chief that In reply to the President, wit we were astern of our reckoning. When you discussed the whole current up the coast.
stopped he would expect & ecanter The wind was about force from ing either just before or just after lose faith in my own judgment as question of courate and speeds for
the north-east. the night with the Commander-in the current flowed hack during his watch.
His predecessor had told him that No woundings were taken during went up. He was told it was Chief in the Chart House did he such intervals in the monsoon and
to our position, and imagining that being blown by orders of the Cap his opinion, backed up with all his tell you that he wished me to go his own opinion was that it was Captain's standing orders regard.
Capt. Godfrey-What were the tain, but he did not ask the Cap-experience was, possibly, more ac on until 03.00 instead of 02.00 and probably true.
tain why he had ordered it to be curata than mine. that after nothing had been heard
ing being called at sa ?They were blown. known fact I gathered it was
Accused, said that he had read Would you accept it to be a well
certain paragraphs. of the China Sen Pilot regarding taking sound-
ags even if the weather clear, and moving out into safe water if light was not sighted when it should be seen, and he did not think it was applicable to Commander Lang's Evidence.
the present case because one was in to sight. Tung Yung light and 1 you make of the currents and tidal Officer of the Watch was not to hesi-
shle waters along that pert of the replied it doponded entirely on the cams und what conclusions dia tate to call him if in doubt at any of his report of the grounding in-
He stated that all the contents at until the moment the bows visibility and showed him a position you come to i-Coming down on the time,
hid. course South three West I fixed the
cluding the appendix were, to the
Accused stated that he was uppre- light which was a position 1 ex-
On this particulart night orders best of his belief absolutely correct hensive all the time after two peeted the ship to reach by 02.00.
strong north-westerly set which was to south 47 west at 29.40: also thated to swear to every remark writ conciled that with regulations hold He then said that he did not think about two kuota. I expected the we should be up to the light by stream to be stuck ahent uine he was to be called when Tung ten down there ou oath,
ing the Captain responsible for the 93.00 and said that if nothing had o'clock. When we sighted Taishan Yung, light was sighted at about Replying to his Friend, accused ship, said he understood that he had boen sighted by 03.00 he was to be at about 10.48 I found that from two o'clock, Witness said he did not said, with reference to the Conl been told to do it and that he called. I asked him then if he nine o'clock until 10, 18 we had only member any erders in the book mander-in-Chief's alleged order as was doing his best to carry out the thought it safe to stand on " un-
made about elevon knots, While about calling the navigator.
to "standing on "until
Commander-in-Chief's order. Ho til 03.00. He said be considered we wore passing Taishan Islands
D'clock, his Navigator said these had, only 24 hours previously, told that it was safe unless the weather, therefore assumed that the stream were making good about 13.5. 3
words to him as nearly as possible him that he was not there to de was very thick,
Cupt. Godfrey-Were you satis-you to go on until 03.00 and not
The Commander-in-Chief wishes what he wanted but to do as he What message did you give me about ten o'clock. When we sight-
had turned to the ebb scmewhere find with the position of the ship stop at 02.00. He made no state implies that this incident was the
was told. from the Commander-in-Chief when ad Taieban I assumed that this-la- Yes.
as charted during your watchment about it, being very foggy climax to series of incidents of Capt. Godfrey: Your evidence you came-up to the bridge from land was the furthest south of the that intervigy-Ad for as I re Taicho Islands and even this osti the Captain during the first watch.
Fe continued that he did not son sort to that remark.
and made no qualification of any member I told you that the Commation only gave us a speed of op- The Navigation Officer was asleep Commander-in-Chief earlier in tho
the same natore Yes, that is so," mander-in-Chief did not wish to proximately 12.4 knots since 11.45, in the Chart House when he went evening, accused said: At that what was to be done, since leaving Describing his interview with the The Commander-in-Chief had given stop at 02,00 but to stand on I was, therefore, led to the con-off watch at midnight.
many orders on the bridge' as to until 08.00,
clusion that the stream had turned Did you mention anything about before 14.00 and that the charming his watch the Commander in chair reading a paper. Lady Kelly himself of the machinery open to
Witness went on to say that dur in the saloon, sitting in an arm
time the Commander-in-Chief was Shanghai... very thick weather cannot rehad only been running for about Chief came on the bridge. I told was sitting on the sofa on the star
. He added that he did not avail member specifically doing so. thres or, possibly, three and a half him that the weather was improv board side of the saloon.
a junior officer in such a case.
(Continued on page 12).
the ship was to bo navigated after Usher Island and the
Between the time we weighed of about junks and the rapidity with elected to go into the witness box. Tung Yung had been sighted. He then asked me what time I expected grounded, what observations did which one came upon them after
sighting them and also that the
about six miles from Tung Yung ship frequently, and observed a stated that course was to be altareriin every detail and he was prepar. o'clock and when asked how he re-
0.-in-0. on Bridge.
throo
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