(2).
EVIDENCE OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM GUTHRIE
/ERWIN - Sworn.
18
My name is William Guthrie Erwin
and I am Master of the "Haiyang".
I have been on the China Coast
trade 32 years, and of these I have been 23 years
in command.
I left Hong Kong at 5.15 P.M. 18th
July, 1947. I took my departure from the East
Ninepin bearing (N) True 31 mile.
I set the course
N73° E (True). No fixes throughout the night.
The first thing I saw was Turtle Rocks at 6.10 A.M.
on the 19th July.
distant mile.
They were close on the part bow
I was set in 5 miles in the 102
miles steamed. I estimated the set to be N.N.W.
The wind up to midnight was about E.N.E. from 5 - 6
There was a
and after midnight veered to the East.
heavy 8.E.ly swell after midnight.
Soundings between the Ninepin and
Chilang Point would give indications of an inshore
set.
I have never experienced an abnormal
set following the passing of a Revolving Tropical
storm.
The normal set is parallel to the
coast and at this time of the year would be week.
I cannot give any reason for the set
and drift which I experienced, and I have neither
heard of it nor experienced it before.
I consider Chilang Point Light Bo be
of great importance to navigation.