30
W
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Accused. I estimated my distance from Half way Point by transits
on the Chart. We had no compass on board. I was
steering the yacht at the time. I was in charge of
the yacht at the time.
(sa). G. F. Hole,
Marine Magistrate.
29. 7. 31.
Thomas Pritchard.
Sworn.
I am the accused in this case and am the master of the
Sui Tai. I was in charge on the bridge at the time.
I have had several years experience in sail and in the
Royal Navy and hold the rank of Commander R.N.R. On Sunday morning 26th July at about 11.5 A.M. I sighted what I thought was a yacht about 4 to 5 points on my port bow. The wind was S.S.E. and the yacht seemed to
be standing to the north and so far as I could judge She had the wind right aft. I could not make out her
rig very clearly but thought she was fore and aft with
one square sail. I watched her bearings and made up my mind that it was quite safe to cross ahead. Later the
yacht appeared to alter her course to the westward
until she appeared to be steering on an almost parallel
This delayed me from putting the helm over as there appeared to be no danger and about two minutes
later she came back on her original course. I then ordered the helm hard aport to pass ahead of her. This was dore at once. The ship then refused to answer her helm as she should have on account of the strong ebb
tide setting against her starboard bow. We were in a
whirl pool which are usual there at spring tides. At
the time I had no doubt but that I should be able to
clear the yacht. My ship started to reply to the nelm and to swing to starboard. The yacht was still standing
course.
on