gall, H. Gidley, H. Miler T. James, W. Me Lean, C. Paul, J. Roy, and R. Lovel. Coach, Sergeant Robertson. The Americans were:-P. Hendrick, G. Mavin, C. Witt, C. R. Brownley, P. Donoughue., P. Willams, F. B. Raeburg, Brien, T. Murray, and Fitzgerald; Coach, S. cGinnity.
PRESENTATION TO MR. C. V. CREAGH.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1883.
By Lieut. Balliston -I understood from the third officer that I was to keep the island right ahead; and if I could not do that by the course the vessel was then steering I would have called the Capinin 1 put out the chart in the chart room which was open for inspection. By Captain Thomsett-I have run down to the chart-room to lack at the chatt when in open water but not when near the land.
By Lieut. Balliston--A watch or look-out could be kept from the lower bridge.
By.
the members of the Court against Captain Skinner, When you were here giving your evi- dence, you ought to have given it correctly. I dare say you did what you did in ignorance; but it was nevertheless highly improper, You can go now.
before the Captain I was about twenty-five THE NORTH CHINA INSURANCE
minutes at breakfast,
COMPANY.
The following Report was presented at the meeting of shareholders held in Shanghai on the
16th instant:-
The Directors have now the pleasure to present the Report and Accounts for the half-year ending 31st December 188a,
+881-[ho balance ne the credit of this Account on the abova data was Ta:61,056.54 which sump has since bees allposed of ank 215, 20, 400 being neklest to the Reservs Fund.
A large number of theofficers and men of the had an accident before and have been "Tyear--ARNET, REPÁn:-The time between the and saw the Captain stepping from the ladder the ship had set in a little. I was on the bridge a fuai dividend of 4 per cent paid to contribusing Shareholders,
to
to
ол
When
damage, being hardly covered with water. The Afinard Castle was drawing about 15 feet 6 inches aft, and 12 fect forward when she left the harbour. The only things saved were the articles, ship's register and a tin box. No soundings were being taken at the time she struck or from the time she left the harbour. I had all the Admiralty charts and China pilots instructions on board, and they were lost with the ship, I had always found the third officer very careful in his duties and remarkably steady; I had every confidence in him. I have never European police force waited this morning (April with my present employers. I have never pre- 23rd) upon Mr. C. V. Cragh, the deputy super-viously left the bridge while my ship was in intendent, who leaves by the steamship Ban-pilotage waters. Have had several testimonials galore to-morrow for l'enk, where he has been presented to me by various employers. The course given was from the chart which was on a table appointed Assistant Refdent--for the purpose of presenting him with a silver tea and coffee right under the bridge. The ship hart to go about five miles from the point of departure to service as a token of their esteem and regard.
Chief Inspector Horspel in making the pre-be abreast of Cheung Chow Island.
John Mullens, stated-I was thinl officer of the sentation said :—Sir,---I has been my plea-
Minard Castle and joined the vessel in Shang- sant duty a very pleasant one-to ask you to meet us here to day, on the eve hai last January. I hold a master's certificate numbered 98,688, which I obtained in 1879 at of your departure for Perak to take up the important duties of Assistant Resident, a became an officer, in 1871. I have never com Greenock. I have been at sea since 1867, and post to which H.M. Government have been
the pleased to promote yo-to thank you for the manded a ship; have been trading great courtesy, kindnessand consideration with China coast between Swatow and Shang- which you have always treated us, in what- hai since 1871. I made two voyages ever position you have led-as Acting Police the south in the Minard Castle previous Magistrate, Captain Superintendent of this last trip, I kept the usual officers' watch o Police, Superintendent of Fire costco board. On the morning of the roth instant or Deputy Superintendent of Police and also shortly after 8 o'clock the ship was got under for your condial and willing assistance both weigh. I was then standing on the bridge in in respect to our duties and also our pastimes company with the captain and the Chinese
pilot, attending to the telegraph. and I have now, the ame of the European force, to beg your acceptance of this small set of about a mile to the southward of Green Silver as a token of our regard and esteem for Island the ship stopped to allow the pilot to The caplain then came on the bridge you, and as a mark of our appreciation of the get off.
and the steamer was put on full speed a-head. many kindnesses we have received from you The ship's head was brought to bear on the during your long service of 16 years with us.
centre of the Aichau Island, bearing S.W. The We wish you and Mrs. Creagh a very pleasant Captain gave me orders twice to keep her head passage to your new home and every success in straight on to that island and keep a good look your new appointment.
Mr. Creagh in reply, sid-Mr. Horspool and out, pointing out the island with his hand. The comrades, I have very geat pleasure in accept Captain then left the bridge and said he was ing your very kind testimonial, and can assure you going down to breakfast. There was only one that it is with some feelings of regret that I leave quarter-master on the bridge at this time, the man who was steering the ship. The weather this force after 16 you service with you. It is, however, a great saisfaction to me to know was clear and I could ace a distance of that I leave you with the assurance that I have
seven or eight miles. The Captain did not gained the good wishes of the whole force. Al- say anything about any rocks he wished to though I shall be absent, can assure you I pass cicar of, I kept my watch on the bridge put the helm starboard wished shall not forget you. hall ever have the in- terests of the force at bout, and shall always-be- to clear the point of Chung Chow a little pleased to hear of yourselfare and prosperity. further off the fand I had no local knowledge and thought 'could do no harm by clearing must also thank, yet in the namic of Mrs. Creagh for your very handsome present and the point by a greater distance and afterwards the good wishes you have so warmly expressed bring the other island ahead. I starboarded twice, about half a point in, all, after which for our future welfare.
I looked at the compass and found the ship's head pointing S.W. half 5. I was then relieved by the second officer who had finished his breakfast.
This would be about fifteen minutes after the captain lind left the bridge. told the second officer to keep the island ahead, A Marine Court of Inquiry into the circum as it then was, though not quite in the centre of stances attending the los of the steam-ship Aff the island, being a little to the castward. The Hard Castle was opened at the Harbour Mas vessel was going about ten knots. I told the ter's Office on the muning of the 18th inst.
second officer that i had starboarded half a point, The Court BAN. (Prezidised Captain H. G. Themsett, and left the bridge and went to my room and. Lieut. W. Balliston, H:M.S. afterwards to breakfast. While having break. Victor Emanuel, Captain Hassall of the P. & fast I felt the vessel strike the first time, and S. N. Co's steamer Bangalore and Captain thought she had gone ashore, as she did Turpin of the O, & O. S.S. Co.'s steamer Gaelic
Richard Skinner, late captain of the Afinard not appear to have struck very heavily. The second time of striking she struck heavily, Castle, gave the following evidence -I am a
the second shock appearing to be a con- master mariner, certificate numbered. 31,134;tinuation of the first as though the ship was 1 have been a master for about 15 years, and running alongside something. I at once ran have held command of a steamer for the past forward to the bridge and found everybody get- fourteen months. The Afinard Castle was
ting the boats out, and the ship listing over to starboard. The steamer was going down head first and listing over to starboard at the same time. Her bows were not then under water, and she did not appear to be going forward. The second officer and I swung out the starboard life boat which was stowed inboard., The second and third officers and four quarter-masters re- mained by the ship, the rest going on board the Hungarian
THE LOSS OF THE "MINARD CASTLE.
1596 tons net register, 350 h..p. nominal, and carried a crew of 46, al told. On the morning of the 10th instant, we let Hongkong at about ten minutes past 8 o'chick, bound for Saigon in ballast. We had the Company's pilot, Mr. Robert Jack, on board. The third officer, John Mullens, who holds a master's certi ficate, was on the bridge from the time we got under weight. He was there to attend to the telegraph, that being a proper station. I was also on the bridge at his time superintending the navigation of the ship. At 8.30, Green Is land bore N. by E. disant one mile, magnetic bearing. The pilot the left the ship, I shaped for the S. E. point of the Aichau Island, intending to pass between that leland and land
chau,
which is the passge I have generally taken when bound to the soghward from Hongkong I had previously made three trips to the south- ward if the finard Castle. Having brought the S.E, point of Hakchau island right ahead, I
and
13.3
By Lieut. Balliston :—The island pointed out was to be distinctly sean, but I could not say how was clear and I could see seven or eight miles, I far it was off. When I said before that the day meant small objects. From the time I left the bridge until the steamer struck, would be about twelve minutes. I never saw the captain from the time he went to his breakfast until after the vessel struck. I did not think it necessary to put over the lead and take soundings as I altered the course so slightly.
By Captain Hassall had not seen the
and steadying of the vessel would be about from three to four minutes.
By Captain Skinner-1 first anw you on the lower bridge when you waved me to starboard. You afterwards called out "starboard, starboard," and the helmi was put hard-a-starboard. From the time of relieving the third officerto the time of striking would be about six minutes, Hnd I had any doubts about the safety of the ship or wanted to change the course during your absence, I would have called or sent for you at remember passing between the islands once. on the last voyage to Saigon but did not notice the course the ship was steering I have seen the charts and had the rock pointed out to me on which it is said we struck; but it could not be the one on which we actually struck.
By Lieut. Balliston :-The chart room is open for the inspection of the officer of the watch.
By the third officer:-I have not heard that the third male has been told not to go into the chart room; but I have not seen you go in there and do not remember seeing the previous third
officer do so either.
Joseph Daniel King:-) am chief mate of the Minard Castle. I hold a master's certificate numbered 31,113, and have been at sea for 26 years. have never been in command of a ship. I joined the Mlinarit Castle in Middlesboro in March 1882.
ön
bridge.
On the oth instant at
By the Court: When the ship struck the Captain was on the bridge.
¦
The Second Officer recalled said:-I went down to breakfast with the captain, and left the cabin before the captain and first officer. I was from ten minutes to a quar- Thomas Nevison, late chief engineer of the ter of an hour at breakfast. When I relieved finard Castle, continuing his evidence stated, the third officer he gave me the course and that he walked across the deck from the engine told me he had shifted it from S.W. to 15%, mom hatch, amidships, to the starboard side; also to keep Aichau right ahead. - I cannot re- and as he did so he looked towards the bridge,member if he pointed out the island, but he said
on to the upper bridge. The ship struck almost about six minutes before she struck, but as I immediately afterwards.
was only about two minutes of that time in charge of the ship I did not notice if she drifted in. The captain came on the bridge James Collins, said: I was second engineer of about two minutes after I got there, I saw the Afinard Castle, and was in charge of the the captain go to the telegraph about four
minutes after he came on the bridge. The cap engines when the vessel left the harbour on the atorning of the roth instant. At the time we tain was on the lower bridge when he waved me struck, the ship was going ten and-a-half knots to starboard the heim. As the captain came to an hour, which speed we had gradually worked the chart house he said "starboard" and the helm up to. When the ship started she going about was put hard-a-starboard The Captain then seven or eight knots an hour.. I had no instructooked at the compass and steadied the hehn. tions through the telegmph just before the ship After a time he again gave the order hard-a-star- struck. The ship apparently struck twice; the board, when she struck inmediately. It did not first shock was not very severe, but the second occur to me, that the ship was dangerously one, which I felt about two seconds after near the land. I had no idea that there was a the first, almost knocked me off my feet. rock off Chung Chow island. I have not looked The shock brought the engines up a little; and at the chart. I went road to the starting gear to stop them.
wave your then saw the telegraph was pointing to "stop" Just at that moment the chief engineer caine down from the deck; and together we went down to the platform in the fore part of engine roon, and found the water rushing in from à hatch. I saw no hole in the ship's side; it must have been below where we were standing. The hatch must have been forced open by the rush of water. No onler could have been made through the telegraph without my attention being drawn to it. I am sure no order was given me before the ship struck.
|
|
The total profits for the year 1881 amounted to 136, 466,081.7% And here becs distributed in the following manner, viz : Dividend of Tis. 75 per share.
The 23,000.00 aced to. Reserve Find
9 centon Contributory Premia, 910,681.75
Sho
18Big net Premis warnest from Jafy to Deseraber ingether with Interest, de, amount to 11a 559,71tion, and the Losses and Claims; Charges, &e, to the, 312,576,1), the balance to carried forward being 114, 110,484.79 making a total of Tim, 705, 769.009 at the credit of the Lampang at the and of the year. Since the ist December last further dalms have been settled aggregating "ÍJa gagta.3.
DIVIDENDA
The Directors propose to declare inverim dividends sa 188a ac. Count as follows-Seventy-five Taels per share (174, 75), Twentys five per cent (ag per cent) Bonus ta contributing Sharelokler and to place to this Kiseren Fund 116. 67,000 which will then be fully raised, wizi "Ils, jonona,
DIRECTORS,
Mr. W, H. Dalgliesh having resigned, on his departure from Shanghai, Mr. A. C. Westall has been appointed a member of the Court in his place. The present Directors rotire from albos, but are eligible for re-election and offer themselves accordingly.
AUDITORS,
*The aruminterest of auditors for the current year rests with the Shareholder, Mr., Augustus White presenting himself for re-clée- tiun
By order of the Court of Directors,
HEETS, Mounts, Secretary,
NORTH-CHINA INSURANCE
COMPANY
By the Captain only saw you hand to me when you were about sixty feet distant. When you came on the bridge you immediately starboarded the helm. When you read the statement you had written to me i do not remember saying I would corroborate all that was in it. I told you that I was on the bridge about two minutes before came did. I do not remember being on the bridge when we came from Saigon the last trip. I work at the charts every day when we are at sea. 1 knew of no danger from being close to the land.
The 10th half-yearly general meeting of this The third officer was recalled at Captain Skin-Company was held at the Head-office, Han By the Captain 1 heard no signal from the ner's request and said he heard the willen state- kow Road, this afternoon (April 16th) at 2.30. telegraph until after the vessel struck; when the ment made, and heard nothing more said about There were present: Mr. E. H. Lavers, (Chair- telegraph signalled to stop I was stopping the it than that he objected to the phrase about the
nian) and Messrs. D. Brand, F. H. Hell, J. A. Hawes, H. R. Hearn, A. G. Wood, and A. C. engines as I knew there was something wrong."Captain's orders having been carried out,"
Frederick Dodwell, resident agent of Messrs. Westall (Directors); R. Francis, P. C. Hubbe, I was stopping the engines before I saw the water rushing in.
Adamson, Bell & Co., stated that he heard the
E. O. Arbuthnot, M. Young, Emil Burnuvister, written statement of Captain Skinner, relating to Walter Pardon, A. Clifton, 1 F. Cheetham,
Daeth, P. Maclean, W, White, H. Rutintann, K. the loss of the ship, read on the morning of the 12th.
Horne Boyd, J. A. Taylor, E. Davis, A. Burman, B. H. Burns, Song-yin, Tal-de, Chin-dah, Koong Chong-tah, Sun-kee, Mukling, J. F. Seaman, 11. J. Such, C. T. Wong, W. S. Bayne, H. S. Morris, P. Arnhold, and J. Kennard Davis, Secretary, representing 573 votes.
Mr. Stokes here said that since the last sitting of the Court, Lieut. Heale, of the Magpie, had Surveyed the place where the vessel was lost, and he was now present to give his evidence,
Mr. Beale was then called.
By permission, Mr. A. I Stokes addressed the court on behalf of Captain Skinner and drew Henry Beale, said I am a Lieutenant of the attention to what he termed discrepancies in the Royal Navy; and at present belong to the evidence given by the second and third officers, Magpie, a surveying ship. I ani a third class and the quarter master who was on the bridge Naval Assistant Survayor. Yesterday afternt the time the ship struck. Mr. Mullen, noon, I visited the rock marked on the Admiralty the third officer, was requested by the Court to chart as being dry at low water and made give his reasons for altering the ship's course and said: "I shifted the course to keep her some observations at the spot with a view to ascertain the correctness of its position, re- more away from the island. When left the latively to the adjacent point of Chung Chow bridge the ship was in a safe enougli position." Island. The result of my observation is that At this stage of the proceedings the Court was the actual position of the rock is 115 yards dis- adjourned ill the following day at noon." tant in S. 66.41 E. true direction from chart. (Chart pro- that marked on the duced showing the difference of the position). I also found another rack, 75 feet 5. 48.35 E. true from the rock that is dry. There is a depth of from 16 to 23 feet between them. and has six feet on it at low water springs There are soundings of seven fathoms to the eastward and five and a half to the north-cast. Another rock about 200 feet
The Secretary, having read the notice calling the meeting, next 'read the minutes of the last general meeting held on the 9th October, 1881, which were confirmed,
about 10 minutes to eight the Minard Castle got ender weigh. I was at that time on the forecastle, getting the anchors up. About twenty five minutes past eight I went on the bridge and told the Captain that the anchors were ready for letting go. I then went down to breakfast with the captain and second mate. After break- fast came on deck and spoke to the carpenter my intention then being to turn the men to; but before I got to the No. 2 hatch the ship struck. I turned round and found the water was coming in over the starboard side. Went room and got an axe out and went to breakfast I noticed land pretty close on Un coming out front. the starboard side. The vessel kept her way on when she struck and canted over a little to the the boals out, assisted in starboard.
getting which took about five or six minutes. After the vessel struck it would be about ten minutes before the water got to the upper deck. The vessel went very gradually down after the main hold was filled. After the boats were clear of the ship about twenty five minutes; she went down The charts by which the ship is Ravi gated are kept in the chart room. The second officer is allowed to see the charts but no one else is allowed access to the chart- room. I keep watch only from 4 till 8 am. The last mentioned rack is about 10 feet square, Castle, Official number, 85,115 of London, 1,596 on all sides, but although, our premiums If during my watch I wanted to see the chart would not be able to see it, as it is generally put away in the drawer. The chart is not generally kept on the table for the use of the officer of the watch, but is put away in one of the drawers.
By Lieut. Balliston -1 do not know if the chart is on the chart table when we are
into or leaving harbour, going tain looks upon the second officer as being the navigating officer and expects that he only will interfere with the charts. There is no order that the officer on watch is not to go and look at the chart if he feels so inclined. I have never been refused access to the chart while on watch. The captain has given me orders not to prick or mark the charts.
I
in a south-westerly direction from the rock marked on the chart was pointed out to me, but I did not verify its position. I took no soundings The cap-in the vicinity of the wreck.
By Captain Hassall When I saw the water coming in I looked down the hatchway and saw it was coming in well above the bilge.
By Captain Skinner I was second officer of the ship last yogage. You asked me not to consult them. mark or scratch the charts but said I might
{
By Licut. Balliston - have no reason to think there are rocks outside those described but I took no soundings. From the position of the wreck I think she struck on the sunken rock
having, six feet on it.
John Hopper, late a quarter-master on the Afinard Castle, stated he had been in the ship for twenty-four days. He was on watch on the lower bridge when the steamer got under weigh an the 10th instant. He was waking about durpig his watch. When the ship struck he was securing the aft gangway ladder, and then went on the lower bridge: The Captain was on the upper bridge at this time. There were four quarter-masters in all on board, He did not see where two of them were, it being their watch below. The quarter-masters live together in a house on the forecastle.
The Court re-assembled at noon on the zist when the following verdict was delivered:-
-We find that on the 10th April, 1883 at about 9.15, a.m. the British steam-ship Minard tons register, Master, Richard Skinner, whose certificate of competency is numbered 31,134, struck on a sunken rock 600 yards East of the Island of Cheung Chau in the West Llama Channel, and that the vessel sank shortly after- wards in 8 fathoms of water about 500 yards
The Chairman said-Gentlemen-The Report which we have to-day to submit for your adoption, and which, with your permission, we will take as read, has now been in your hands for somet days, and I think requires little comment on my part beyond congratulations on the very satisfactory position which the Company "con- tinues to enjoy. As you must be aware we are being assailed by very keen competition
earned
cated furing the past six months are less the corresponding period of 1881, the diminution is to a large extent counter- balanced by the increase to which I alluded at our last meeting, our receipts of course, being affected by the particular periods of the year at which produce happens to be going forward, and these necessarily vary somewhat. Look
whole, I think it compares favourably with its predecessor, and after taking into consideration all the losses and claims on the account known up to date, we have every reason to anticipate that the cultura of our underwriting, during 1882 will yield as good results as the business of previous years. You will,. I feel sure, observe with pleasure that on the present occasion we find ourselves able to recommend the carrying to Reserve of 3-We find that while the ship was in pilotage a sum sufficient to raise that fund to the com- waters, the master placed the third mate, Mr.plete amount-contemplated-by-our-Deed-of Mullen, whose certificate of competency as or
Settlement, and I must express our gratifica- dinary master is numbered 98,688, in charge of tion that, while substantial dividends the ship at 8.35, am, giving a course, but omitting your paid up capital have been annually de to point out any dangers which the vessel was clared, the large Reserve of Tis. 400,000 should have been so speedily accumulated, more likely to pass. The master then went below, to his breakfast, and returned to the bridge at or speedily, I dare say, than many of us expected about 9.10 am; a few minutes afterwards the when the present partnership commenced five years ago. These, I believe are the only ship struck on the sunken rock referred to.
4-We find that the course ordered to be steered features in the Report requiring special remark, but I shall of course be glad to answer any
South of that rock.
2.—From a survey made by Lieutenant Belaming at the year as of H.M.S. Martie, we find the reck mark ed" dries at low water" in Admiralty Chart No. 1466 is placed 15 yards N. 66 deg. 41 min, W. of its proper position. That a sunken rock with 6 feet on it at low water springs has been found bearing 5, 38'deg. 35 min. 75 feet, from the proper position of the rock marked "drics at low water" on which the
finard Castle struck,
upon
told the third officer tomark the ship's head by chart at all when left in charge of the bride.officer about four minutes after the captain be about two minutes after the abip struck that I Prudent one, had there been no set of the tide. questions which you may desire to put, Witc
the steering compass, which is right in front of
had
the
course
By Captain Hassall :-The second officer gave me orders to secure the ladder. The pilot used the ladder when going away. I was by myself securing the ladder. It taken from twenty minutes to half an hour to secure the ladder. It would by the master before he left the bridge was a 3-We find that the officer left in charge of the deck shewed great want of attention to his duties in not having it reported to the master that the ship was being set to the north-west and that he had altered the ship's course. the circumstances connected with the loss of 6-The Court having considered the whole of this ship, are of opinion that the master, Richard Skinner, was not justified in leaving the deck while the vessel was in pilotage waters.
she struck, it being hamer left the harbour until coming out of his room when he felt the ship strike. He saw the captain on the upper bridge at the time the vessel struck. He ran aft and saw the water rushing into the ship about
a foot below the 'tween decks.
Edward Robinson, late's quartermaster in the Afinard Castle, stated that he joined the steamer in Shanghai about three months ago. He was not on watch when the steamer left the harbour. He was below from the time of leaving until she
struck.
Louis Raymond, quarter-master of the Minard Castle, stated-1 joined the steamer in Shanghai some three months ago. On the toth instant, was in charge of the wheel on the upper bridge. When the piler left, the course was kept S.W. by order of the captain. The third officer was in charge when the captain went below. The curse was altered by order of the third By Captain Skinner: understood you to 5.W.4S... The the steering gear on the bridge; the steering say I was to keep the ship's head as near the to SW. S. and that
gone away, the course giyen being saw the captain on the bridge.
Course was again altered Frank Nainby, late quarter-master on board Pass was S.W., shering an error of nearly 11
centre of the island as was possible. After you tinued until the captain cane on the
was con- the Minard Castle, stated that he was below westerly, which was about the same as left the bridge it would be about four
the time the steamer the steering compass lias SW. course, organs has always shows one before I altered the course. Mulus minutes when the helm was put to starboard and the ship came round about one eighth of a point. About right for the S.E point of Hakchau island, altering the course was to give the point a wider
five minutes after the captain came on the bridge and to keep a ----—yself, that the od bok-out. I then satisfied berth. You usually stayed such a short time
the course was again altered and the helm star officer thoroughly under away that I did not think it necessary to call stood the orders given him, and the weather being you when I altered the course. I have never boarded. The ship's head again came round one fine, and water smoothand about slack tide with the bridge to go and look into the chart eighth of a point. The captain did not arrive on bridge until about three or fourminutes after all the islands visible, and having every can. room as it did not appear to liave been fidence in the third officer, I went below to
the second mate. After the ship was put hard- customary to do so. The principal reason breakfast with the firstand second officers. The for starboarding was to give the ship a wider a-starboard she struck on the starboard bows. I did not see any rocks about, and left the third officer has been in the ship about four berth off the point, as I had a rough idea that I
wheel about a minute after she struck. The ship months but has been on the coast a long could do no harm by keeping her a little off. time in Messrs. Tillerfield and Swire's On the last voyage the weather was very thick topped her way immediately she struck.
Licut. Balliston The ship's bead was S. steamers, Had the orders given to the when we went out, but as the captain was on the bridge, I did not take much notice
WS when I left the wheel. The second third officer been prowdy attended to, the ship of the course would have cleared Hikchau island to the
steered.
When relieved by mate gave me no orders at all to move the helm. By Captain Skinner :-The second officer ward by three quarter of a mile, and one mile the second officer, I took no bearing of
was on the bridge about two minutes before you and a half off the rockoff Ling Ting island, and the island, which would be about two miles off
'came up and about ten minutes before the ship the small islands off Hikchau about half a mile. It would be about from two to three points on The course given at my departure, was about the starboad bow on the outside point. struck. I am sure you were on the bridge about * mid channel. After breakfast was, finished,'
sight minutes before she struck about fifteen minutes after going down, I went on deck in company with the first and second officers. The time would be shortly after 9 o'clock. On my way to the bidro I observed that the
Charles Le Cras, depored:--I was second mate ship was getting too close to Cheung Chow is of the Minard Castle and joined the ship in land and while going along the deck I mo London about six months ago. I hold a second tioned with my hand to the second officer, who mate's certificate, obtained in London in 1878, had just taken charg on the bridge, to star- and have served in that capacity for more than a board the helm. On reaching the bridge the year. On the toth instant the steamier was holm was ordered to be put- hand-a-starboard
got
under weigh about ten minutes after 8 o'clock at the same time I imagined I saw dark colored was then stationed aft to sea the after part all water on the starboard bow. I went immediately clear; this was my proper station, and duty on to the telegraph w order the engines to leaving harbour. After the pilot left & decunda be stopped. As pot my hand on the tele the boats and went to breakfast with the Captain graph the ship stuck with terrific force and Chief Officer. After breakfast I went on the on what appeared to be a sunken rock, bridge to relieve the third officer. The third offices on the starboard the bilge and also under the engine room. The it from S.W. to S.W. half S. also giving me to un- ilde Bonewhere under gave me the course, remarking that had he altered water rushed in with such great force that in a derstand that I was to steer straight for the short time holds Nos i and a were full, just island which was ahead. There was an giving sufficient time to launch the boats and island on the starboard bow distant about put out the crew. I felt confident that the two miles and bearing about half a point off. ihip did not strike the rock marked on the Ad I saw the captain coming up the starboard gang- miralty chart and made enquiries at fishermen,way waving to me to starboard the helm. IR pilots and other Chinese who frequent that ordered the quartermaster to starboard and saw locality, and was informed by them; that several the ship's head-more but could not say how rocks besides the one marked on the chart much. The captain then came on the bridge
By Lieut. Balliston :-I considered I was in charge of the ship and responsible for her safety during the captain's absence or until relieved by the second officer.
Thomas Nevison, chief engineer of the Minard Castle said-The steamer left Hong kong on the roth instant about ten minutes paar 8 o'clock. At the time the vessel struck she was going about ten and a half knots. The second engineer was in charge when she struck, and I had only come up from the engine-room to have a look round. Immediately the vessel struck I went down into the engine room and found the second engineer stopping the engines. I took a lamp and examined the bilges behind the engines, and found a batchway close to the platform burst open by them lite star the force ofthe board bilge. I have since visited the wreck in
which seemed to be coming
Joseph McGee, late carpenter of the Minard Castle, stated that be joined the ship in London in October last. When the ship struck he was looking down the number two hatch and saw a great rush of water come in from the bilge on the starboard side. He went down and ex- amined the damage and found in the "ween decks the water about two feet from there, He then went down into the engine room and found the water was up to number one plat- form above the keel. The water was rushing from the engine room into number three holdi He assisted in getting out the starboard boat. He has charge of the sluice valves which are always kept closed.
Cheang Ahoi, compradore and pilot, stated be has been piloting ships in and out of Hongkong harbour for the past sixteen years. He left the finard Castle when outside Green Island on the morning of the 10th instant. The steamer from Green Island when he left her. was about three quarters of a mile S. by W.
the
-The Court hereby suspend the certificate of competency of Richard Skinner, No. 31,134 for a period of nine months; and the certificate of competency of John Mullen, No, 98,688 is suspended for a period of three months. We recommend that these officers be furnished with a first mate's certificate.
Given under our hands at Victoria, Hongkong, this twenty first day of April, 1893-
H. G. Thomsett, Stipendiary Magistrate, &c., G. W. Balliston, commissioned officer in the Royal Navy: John P. Hassall, master British steamer Bangalore; W. A. Turpin, master British steamer Gaelle.
GROUNDING OF THE STEAMSHIP
"CARNARVONSHIRE”
Intelligence was received here on the agrd inst. by Messrs. Adamson, Dell & Co., that the steamer Carnarvonshire had gone ashore on the coast of Japan. The telegram was very brief and gave no particulars further than above stated. It is presumed the vessel went ashore somewhere between Yokohama and Kobe, The Carnarvonshire was compara-
TIONAL
At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. Stokes company with the Captain, compradore, boatman asked permission to put in a short written and boat's crew; that was on the 13th. We took summary drawing attention to several dis tively a new vessel, and was commanded by steamer struck, and found another rock about statement of Captain Skinner, which was written Captain W, Patrick. soundings in the vicinity of the island where the crepancies in the evidence. He said that ten fathoms from the one on which the vessel out the day after the ship was lost, was more likely t struck.
to be comect as to the time he was on the bridge By Captain Hassall -The order to stop the before the vessel struck than the statements of YANGTSZE INSURANCE ASSOCIA- engines was telegraphed down as I got to the the other witnesses who now only gave their top of the staircase.
Mag evidence & After some conversation between Mr. By Captain
Skinner-From the time of Stokes and the president of the court, Mr. Stokes stopping the engines before I went down to Ice memos were admitted, actress
The following is the annual report of the if there was any water coming into the ship,
The court was then adjourned till two o'clock Board of Directors, to be presented at the would be about half a minute. I did not hear
"full speed, astern."!! PEDALEMANY cuantan di peneral meeting of shareholders, announced to "At this stage ofí
Captain Skinner recalled said →→I cannot tell be held in Shanghai to-day — adjourned till Friday at 10a.m. you the time I went on deck after having break The directors have the pleasure to subenit to the shamholders fast During breakfast I and the chief officer the accounts of the amociation for the year ending December 31st The Court was resumed at the Harbour Mas were conversing about the cargo, but I cannot
The net premia earsor; less re-insurances, naount to Tis. 158, ter's Office on, April, 20th. Mr, A P. Stokes, say how long I stayed at breakfast; when i went 86.69) The losses paid less re bittrance amount to 21416, solicitor was present watching the case on on the bridge I saw, no water breaking over the 395.67, and after deducting El. p.4on for interest on sharthniders behalf of Captain Skipner
rock When I went into the cabin with the capital at the rate of za por cost and transferlag:21. Bo $5.58 of the estimated profit on the underwetting scenest of Tier 68,800.
igel
238.
existed thereabouts. On the 13th inst. I took and looked at the compass and sleadied the the telegraph the proceedings the Court was a steam launch and, iccompanied by the chief helm. The captain was walking up and down engineer, Robert Jack, the compradore, and 2n- other, Chinese, went down to the race marked on and looked over the side and ahead and after onwards ordered the helm to be put to starboard. the chart and took soundings. We found a rockThe ship almost immediately afterwards struck. bearing by Government chart about S.E. by E Law a few funks and fishing boats abead of with 11 feet of water it at high water, about the steamer but saw no rocks over which the sixty feet from the muked rock with a depth sea was breaking previous to the vessel's striking. of from five to seven, athome between Uem, 1 The abin seemed to strike very Kard on the On resuming the Presidente ska pilot I stayed there about a minute." "After leave to special reserve find to meet pending claims, the benc have since bened, that other tools, extation both starboard bow but hangay was gonored and sides S.E. and S.W, of the marked rock over the answered her starboard helm after striking which the sea breaks in heavy weather. She began to go down, by the head immediately think the damage done to the steamer is well after sinking and commenced to all forward under the bilge, and in my opinion, the rock rapidly. The boats, were got out, and this crew marked on the chart would not have caused that put into them.
called In
chief necessary to theist-1-want-on-the-bridge to give the Captain Thomsett and · When I arrived, third oficer my orders; I did not stay on the two minutes ago, the chief officer handed me a bridge more than four or five minutes, a letter, in which he makes several statements. The Chief Officer was recalled and said so (Addressing the chief officer.) The letter is a went to breakfast just after the Captain) soms most improper one, sind might have prejudiced three or four minutes after, 1 lei bataklast.
heal, it felt a p
e partidigeling pramine pre raw section 43
of
regard to the present year, I may take this op our business is doing well, and the only casualty unity of stating that, so far as we are aware, any moment of which we have.received advice is the unfortunate loss of the Kenmure Cartis by which there was a line of £3,675 on 1883- into any comparative statement of figures be- account. I think it is unnecessary for me to go cause the report is so clearly drawn up and speaks for itself. Before I put the resolution to the meeting for the confirmation of the report, I should like to ask if you have any questions to put, which I shall be happy to answer.
There being no questions,
The Chairman moved;--
Resolution That the Report of the Direc tors and Accounts for the half-year ending 31st. December, 1887, now presented to this meeting,, be accepted and passed.
Mr. F. H. Bell seconded, and the resolution was carried unanimously.
The Chairman then moved:-
Resolution II—That the following Dividends for the year. 188a be declared, viz, Tis. 75 per share, and 25 per cent bonus on net permia to. contributing shareholders also that the sum of Tls. 67,000 be carried to Reserve Fund..
Mr. D. Brand seconded, and the resolution was also carried unanimously,
The Chairman-The next resolution before the meeting is the election of directors. *
Mr. Francis Mr. Chairman, I have great pleasure in proposing:
Resolution III-That Messri, F. H. Bell,
rand, H. R. Heard, J. A. Hawes, E. H. Lavere, & C. Westall, and A. G. Wood, be elected as the Directors of the Company for the current year!! ay may
Mr. W.-White-I presume none of the Direc- tors you propose are doing, their best to use an Americanism), to run another Company? 2.
Mr. Francis-That is a question I am not pref pared to answer.
Mr. White I think the directors ought to con fine their interest to this Company
Mr. Francis- am afraid all insurance com panies in Clifpa, would have to turn out their directors in that cases han de fire igen Mr. White--I don't think it applies to our own Company.
Mr. Francis There is no objection to the directors of one insurance company being on the board of another
Mr. R H Boyd then seconded the resolution, and it was carried unanimously...
Mr. J. M. Young proposed, and Mr. Arbuth not seconded
Resolution TV,—That Messrs, Augustus White and Peter Maclean De Liccted as Auditors to THE Company for the current year,
Carried unaimously.
„In senordanson with section'sy df de articles of amidonent "the directors have declared an extra dividend na the race of è per cent, as captal, geyale on the with instead and restring fund #900 for Life pampose the balance at cradle of special secure fondThe Chairman Gentlemen, that
by SILKESED CURRAISON DE
the business of this meeting I have merely to
2 Bhaaghal, sy14 Apell, 1885.