Yingking *. Wingchai.
C.O
41467
593
Yesterday morning at the Marine Court the Hon. L. A. W. Barnes Lawrence (Harbour Master) gave judgment in the case which was heard on Wednesday in which Captain E. J. Page of the S.S. Yingking brought an action against Captain S. Bell Smith of the S.S. Wingchai for alleged obstruction on the high seas, and wilful disregard of the rules of the road.
His Worship said: From the evidence given for the prosecution that of the three witnesses examined, viz., the Master, the chief officer and a passenger on board the Yingking were all substantially in agreement. They affirm that their vessel was bearing about one point on the Yingking's port bow and distant some three hundred to four hundred yards; one short blast was blown on the Yingking to indicate that she would pass the Wingchai on her starboard side and her helm was ported accordingly. The witnesses were also agreed in their statements that on this whistle being blown the Wingchai deliberately attempted to cross the bows of their ship which had to give way by porting in consequence.
The point that governs this case lies in the fact as to whether on hearing the Yingking's whistle sounded the helm of the Wingchai, bearing in mind Article 21 of the Regulations, moved. The evidence given on behalf of the defence was somewhat conflicting. The first witness called, a passenger on board the Wingchai, who was seated on the port side of that vessel's bridge, affirmed that when he heard the whistle of the Yingking blown, on the port quarter of the vessel he was in, i.e. in reply to the question put, she was on his right hand looking aft with water between her and a continuation of the taffrail of the Wingchai. The evidence of the Master and Chief Officer of the Wingchai was that the Yingking was on the starboard quarter and she was ...