SUI TAI VENEZIA COLLISION.
COURT FINDS MASTER OF SUI TAI ACTED IN CORRECT MANNER.
NO JURISDICTION OVER VENEZIA
The collision of March 12 between the an. Voneria and the a Sui. Tai had a sequel in the Harbour Office yesterday when Hon. Commander G. F. Hole, RN. (Retired) presided over a Marins Court of Inquiry which But to investigate the collision.
The President announced at the outset that the Court had no Jurisdiction uyer the Chinese-owned Vonesia and it must not ex- press any opinion on the conduct of the Venezia or her master.
After bearing the evidence, the finding of the Court was as follows: Wo. And that the sis Sui Tai, of which Commander Pritchard, "R.M. (retired) was master, left Macao at 3 pm on March 12, 1932, on" a voyage to Hong Kong: When at a point north east, three quarters of a mile from the northern extremity of Choung Chan Island, she sighted tha as, Venezia at least one paint on her starboard bow, the Venezia being on an opposite course, the visibility was about one cable. Under the circumstances, we consider the master of the Bui. Tai acted in correct fuanner by putting his helm to starboard and going astern on his port engine. and we therefore adjudgo him to be entirely free of blame for the collision which occurred
"MASTER IN NAME ONLY.”.
The Hon. Cominander G. F. Hole, R.N., presided over the Court, the other members being 16-Cdr. L. G. Addington, D.S.C R.N., of H... Tamar, Capt. J. H. Ferguson, master of the Kamsang. Capt. W. G. Erwin master "of the, a.ş. Haiyang, unil
Capt. T. R. Ireland, master of the
8.8. Tyndareus.
Mr. Eldon Potter, K. C., and Mr. F. Jenkin, K.C., instructed by Mr. R. A. Wadeson, appeared for the master of the Sui Tai.
Mr, Potter-What exactly did you mean by aaying you were.mas- ter in name only 1-Well, it is un- der a Chinese flag.
Who is the virtual master-Well I don't know that I have rouilly found that out myself.
Will you explain what you mean by the phrase-If I give a com- mand, no notice is taken of it.
i
The Chinese pilot is really the virtual master?-Yes, I should say he was.
And I think that the less you in-
navigation the better pleased will Be the Company -I think I am right in saying that, I can get no protection from my owners. have reported those things many times, but get ho redress,
1
In opening the court, Comman, terfere with the Chinese pilot's der Hole said that before proceed ing with the case he wished to bring to the notice of those con- cerned that although a warrant had been issued for the inquiry into the circumstances of the collision, the Court had jurisdiction only over the a. Sui Tai Tho Venezia was a Calnese ship and therefore beyond the Court's jurisdiction..
As it was possible for the Court to find the Bui Tai, and thereford
Captain Fisher, in reply to Mr. Potter, said he could not recollect whether the Sui Tai sounded two short blasts before the Yoneria sounded a blast, Es could not say whether the Venezia's one blast was
CORRESPONDENCE.
All letters intended for public "dation" must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, not Jor publication, unless so desired, but an evidence of good faith--ED]
THE SITUATION IN
FOOCHOW
-¿ro Tú» EDITOR OF THE ♬ KONG "KONG" DAILY FREE."]
YMCA ANNUAL MEETING
PRESIDENT REVIEWS SUCCESSFUL YEAR.
POPULARITY OF THE WOMEN'S SECTION.
HONG KONG PEACE GROUP
ELOQUENT DENUNCIATIONS AGAINST WAR.
That in spite of all that has been done during the last few years war, is still a very real and a FY torrible manage, waa the theme of an addross by Dr. Allen at a peace meeting on Tuesday, in Lane, Craw-
The annual general meeting of the European YMCA was hold in S18,In your leading article" of the new West Lounge of the Kowford's restaurant. March 17 it is stated that: "The Joon building last evening, whạn the The speaker urged that way people of Foochow lived in hourly Hon. Mr. W E. L. Shenton pre- under modern conditions was expectation of a descent both upon sided, supported by Mr. J. H hateful that nothing could be held the town and province of Fukion Hunt, O.B.E., and M. P. Sto justify in He appealed for in
The above statement is totally in. Cassidy. Apologies for non-atten-dividuals to arrive at the decision correut. Since the local authorities,dince were received from Com- no ho take part in war under at the beginning of January pro modors A. H. Walker, O.B.E., EN any sircumstances and to accept hibited Illegal anti-Japanese action Colonel R. B. Coussos, DiS.0, Mr. the consequences of such a decision. and inflammatory agitation there C. Hickling, Mr. F. W. James Pacifism was not a dogma that has been no fear of trouble here,-I and Mr. J. Ploming
force was always wrong, it did not am-Sir,-Your obedient servant, Among those present wero Major sit in judgment on the past and
General J. W. Sandilanda, Mr.the men who had fought in Justies J. R. Wood, Mr. L C F. adfirmed simply that there was it; it Bellamy, the Very Rev. Alfred always an honourable alternative We are glad to be able to publish Swann, Dean of the Cathedral, Mr.to war and that the individual had. this onini denial of a statement. G. Maunder, Treasurer, Mr. J. the right to refuse to kill, even based upon information direct from
H. I HARDING, H.B.M. Consul
Foochow, March 24.
a most reliable source in Fouchow,M. McPherson, General Secretary, at the state's command. Possibly H.B.M. Consul alightly Mr. A. W. Ingram, Assistant Seors- misunderstood the sentence. in que8- tion. At one time it looked as iftary, and Mr. E. F. Selk, Sportsurged the necessity of a positive
a formal declaration of war between China and Japan were imminent, with, in all probability, grave con- sequences to the coastal ports in China-Editor H.K.DP3
Sui Tai altered her Holm after sighting the Venezia. He said that after the impact, the Venezia becure stationary. It took about two or three seconds to become stationary and witness said that the ship was brought to a standstill so. rapidly because she had been holed and bad shipped water.
p.m.
Sub Tai Master's Evidence. Captain Thomas Pritchard, mine- tey of the Bai. Tai, then gave evi dence in which he said that the ship left Macao at
and that at 230 he handed over charge of the bridge to the chief officer At 2.48, the "stand by was put witness went to the bridge and saw on the engine foom telograph and that the weather was becoming in- termittently foggy and misty with visibility of about 1 milo. Tho ship started to sound the fog signal at intervals of about one blast per minute.
Secretary,
Dr. K. L. Reichelt, whe followed,
approach to the whole question of PRESIDENT'S SPEECH,
jaternational relations. He pointed out the strategien character of Bon, Mr. Shenton id-It will Hong Kong for work for world- be seen from the annual report that peace. Each nationality had a con the various activities of the asso tribution of its own to the total life diation have been well maintained of humanity, but it must shed during the past year. In the sports whatever in it did not at into that section the Tonnis Club has had a whole. He welcomed the rising good sonson showing an increase of spirit of nationalism in the youth members, a clean balance sheet and of Chins but he longed to see it better result in the Tennis turned into the channels of that League The Hockey Cluti also re-universalism and internationalism porte progress and we are grateful which expressed the true genius of to the Government for greating us the Chinese people. the use of the ground at King's Park for a term of five years..
Is was decided to form an organi sation, to be known as the Hong
The Literary and Debating ace-Kong Padoo Group. Membership is tion carried out a full programma of two classes. Full members during the second half of the as- pledge themselves not to take on, the outstanding event being part in or support any war, the debate with the University of international or eivil, and to Oregon debating team.
work for the promotion of goodwill. We would like to so greater between nations. Associate mem- interest taken in the Quiet bers commit themselves definitely. Hour," the devotional meeting held only to the second part of the every Sunday night. This is the pledge but express their readiness
building and it should be better supported by the members.
the master, to blame and as the the first signal given or pot. The the "Stand By was rung off and only religious meating held in the to consider the paqiflat position.
Court must oxpress no opinion on the conduct of the Venezia or her master, he thought it was only right to give the master of the Sui Tai every chance in his favour. He "would therefore ask Mr. Potter to call his witnesses in any order he desired.
thin withomas had been
0.
sub
Chinese pilot was in charge of the bridgo at the time the Venezia gave the blast,
At 3.09 the weather improved and the ship proceeded at full spend again. There was quite a lot of fog and, mist still hanging around In reply to LtCdr. Addington, and witness remained on the bridge| witness said that the Venezia and kept the fog signals going. At passed Cheung Chau Beacon
Chau was abcam the starboard side on 3.43 the northern point. of Cheung
the starboard helm The current
The New Wing.
the Directors proceeded with the At the commencement of the year.
Any who are in sympathy with this movement are asked to com municate with Dr. Allen.
-00
presidentship which I have had the bonour of holding for the past two
directors for all the assistance and opportunity of thanking my
should at the same time like to support they have given me and I
Mr. Potter pointed out, that or
"peonaed, and he would like the boats with Hong Kong Passenger and the "stand by " was again put since then the building Has been place on record the very valuablu. |
was half a mile against them shout of the boat about a quarter of erection of the new wing. His Ex-years, I should like to bake this a quarter of a mile away from mile off. Almost immediately after. what the regulations required in the shut down thick fog. The ship's formed the ceremony in connection Cheung Chau. He did not know they sighted Choung Chau they cellency the Governor kindly per matter of officers in connexion with speed was reduced to half spoed with the stone laying on May Certificates.
on the telegraph.
master of the Venoxia called first.
Captain's Evidence.....
After the Chief Officer, Mr. J. Einholm, and Mrs. Powell, wife of Rev. E. G. Powell, who was 3 anger on the Sui Tai, had given vidence, the 1st quarter-master and pilot. Chan Yau, was put into the witness box.
Captain Frank Tasman Fisher said he was master of the Venezia in name only. He held a New South Wales certificate, and was # on the articles us master. The vessel left Hongkong at 2 p.m. on Baturday March 12, for Macao and proceeded in the usual way, Passing Groen Island about 2.20 She reduced to half speed either at 2.30 65 235, 18thor who baking the as Chuen Chow the other Macko boat, in a slight fog. They passof Chyon Chow Bancon 15 minutes inter, when they went at full speed, about 19 to 13 knots. The course was then set for half
way, which wan South 82, West.
that
Pilot's Evidence,
3,46 on the starboard bow, and was
The Voneria was first sighted at completed and this year His Ex-hssistance the Association has ra about one or two points to star- board. He knew that the ships were going to pass fairly close Witness thought he would indicate to the Venozis that he was going to keep on the starboard helm and blew two short blasts of the whistle at the same time helming hard to starboard, with the port engine full astern.
The Collision,
ballency declared the building Mr. J. MoPherson, MA, our ceived during the past year from opeñod, This does not come into General Secretary, Mr. John H. my review this evening, but I funt, OBE.; our Secretary in should like to say how pleseed Charge, Mr. A. W. Ingram our Directors are that the extension Assistant Secretary and Mr. E. F. has been appreciated and they feel Selk also Assistant Secretary but that the Association is entering on particularly in charge of sports a new era
by the loyal support of the mem- Organiantion, unless it is backed bers will never make a successful YM.C.A. I am sure that this sup port will be continued and that the future prospects of our Asso
be" in the future of the Hong fidently say that the best is yet to ciation are such that we can con
Kong Y.M.C.A.
I should also mention that Mr E. F. Belk has been appointed an assistant secretary, with special re- ference to the sporte section, and that his appointment has been fully justified.
Vote of Thanks,
Mr. P. S. Cassidy, in proposing a vote of thanks to the retiring Pre- sident, the Hon, Mr, W. E. L. Shen- ton, spoke appreciatively of his ser vices during his two years of pro- aidanoy
He stated that nothing unusual occurred until they had reached Half Way Foint about 3.40 p.m. It was then very foggy ahead, and twelve knots to about six or seven When the operation was com at 2.42 p.m. speed was reduced from knots. About 3.44 pm, he saw the plated," said witness, I walked growing and I am told that it has Our membership is constantly Bui Tai on the port side about half from the port side of the bridge now reached the 500 mark With & point, and gave one short blast. to amidships and as I did so, the the extra facilties now offered, The Sui Tai did not give any blast. Veneria sounded one short binst expecially the swimming bath, we The Captain arrived on the bridge and I could see her altering to may expect a further increase,
Election of Officers. immediately after he had given starboard. "The Bui Tai by that Ono pleasing feature made pos the blast. The Chief Officer was in time just started to swing to port sible by the new wing his been the directors, Mr. J. O. M. Cronbem Then followed the election of three They could soo points of Lantau charge, of the bridge previous to and I replied with two whistles to formation of the Women's Section proposed that the Dean the Vory Island practically all the way, and as they approached hallway, the
Witness said he gave the short her one blast, I knew at once that We originally named this section Rev. A, Swana, Mr. C. O Hickling weather became clearer, and he left blast on his own accord, as the I decided to continue my turning quest of the ladienis will now be The proposal was seconded by Mr. a collision could not be avoided, as the Ladies Section, it at the re- and MP. B. Cassidy be elected. the bridge. He walked down the Chief Officer was engaged in writ to port, with the hope of bringing known as the Women's Section. An A. C. Jeffreys and carried un- deak to where some people were ing something. After the blast be of a glancing blow, or at least re-energetic committee has been panimously. playing a game of cards and watch put the helm to port, Nobody gave during the blow. Two or three se pointed with Mrs. J H. Hunt as od them for about two minutes.
him orders to do this. He then conds before I had both engines the Hon. Secretary, and a compre- Just as he was leaving them, he saw the Bui Tai blosing in on the antern. At 8.47 we collided. The hensive programme is being ar hoard a short blast from the Vone-Venezia, and also heard the Sui Tai Veneris tore scross our bow at ranged. We are safident that this Zis. He started to run towards the give two short blasts. Previous high rate of speed, almost at right innovation will enhance the useful Bridge and almost simultaneously to that he had heard a short blast, angles with the Sui Tai The Susness of the Association.. He heard two blasts from another but that was some distance away Tal was heading at that time North
When he arrived at the and he had not done anything, but East by East. The Venezia, assum bridge he saw a vessel coming out had kept to the same couran going ing she was clear of the Bui Tai, of the fog, the visibility being even knots. That was 43.43 wheeled around to starboard in a Aur financial position is satis. It was hardly necessary to say about two ship's lengths. Ho dia.
half circle "until she was going in factory, the excess of income over how much and how wholeheart Hot know what the Venetia's speed
the opposite direction with the expenditure for the year was edly he had worked in the interests was at the time, as he was not on
engines still going A minute later $1.402.66 and after transferring of the Association. During the two I saw her engines had stopped," Officer and himself had been on the off 85,070 from the buildings, 1130 problems had come up and there $90,000′ from the general surplus to | years, he had been. Fresident they Witness said that both the Chief the new promise fund and writings had been by no means olet as four points
on their part bowdence, in that he had said that at bridge from 2.48. He did, not heal from the tennis pavilion, 33,0 had been quite a lot to do, more Their helm at the time was hard 3.42 p.m. the ship was going t sport. As he ran off to the bridge he shouted the order hard aport" twelve knots and at 3.43 pm, it ay 108 sigols from the Venezia, from the furniture and Attings or less in relation to the expdation before he saw anyone on the bridge. He, however, anid that it was im- Asked by the Court how he knew ward 811,169.91.
vs going at six to seven knots the collision.
or from any other pont previous to 31,019.75 from the tennis court and of the Association and in the build- #119 from the garage we carry for- ing of the new lounge. The speaker Who is Captain?
possible for the Venezia to lose five that the engines of the Venozia was
thought they all owed a very doop knots in a minute.
I am glad to welcome back to debt of gratitude to the Hòa, Mr. still going after the collision, wit our Board, the Hon Sir Henry WEL Shenton for what he had Commander Hole:-Surely you Proceeding with his evidenco, he mass said that he assumed the Pollock Sir Henry he bourdone for them. (Applause) Worn taking rather a risk in giving said that Captain Fisher gave him were because the propeller was still strong supporter of our Association Mr. Shenton, if his brief reply, an order like that without seeing the Sui Tai'atws, blasts and a tower evidence in corroboration and has for overal years, lobed as the two years he be ant
orders to reply with onn blast to going
|from its earl," "days in this Colony thanked those present and said that Wifaced I could see the ship aseconds later the collision took of the master story had been given our President am glad to say ident End been extremely pleasant fan on to the bridge and almoet place at once we were struck Had Irs said that he could not say if the Ending which was delivered and I'm about to retire from the and every member of the Assodis. Witness, continuing his evidence the Court adjourned to consider it position and I with him all success received from the officers, directors by the Chief Officer of the vessel, he is again, about to coupy this in the wholehearted support he had mained where I was, I should have been in the wreckage.
Continued on next, column.) given above,
the bridge. He saw the Bui Tai
Time Factor in Breed.
coming from a direction of three to with an irregularity in his evi The witness was here confronted
thing
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