(5).
EVIDENCE OF MR. NORMAN BAIN
OFFICER OF THE "HONG KHENG"
Sworn.
22
My name is Norman Bain, and I was second officer
of the S.S. "HONG KHENG" at the time of the casualty.
I hold a certificate of competency as Mate of
a Home Trade Pas enger Ship Numbered 109607 issued at
Liverpool on the 30th April, 1945.
On the 18th July, 1947, I kept the first watch
(8.0 P.M. to midnight).
I was on watch when we passed
the Ninepins off Hong Kong.
off the Ninepins at 2042
hours we set course N75°E (True). There was no error on
that course. I steadied her on that course, and the
steering compass was N77° by compass. At 9.30 P.M.
I obtained the last fix which placed her on the track. I
took no soundings. At midnight I was relieved by the
acting chief officer. I believed the telegraph awaked
me. I looked out through the forward port of my cabin
went and saw breakers off the port bow, and I wekné up on to
the bridge and found the vessel aground.
At midnight there were two vessels on our starboard
beam distant about 1 to 2 miles.
During the watch we experienced passing sho ers,
and at other times the visibility was fair.
see
I did not sett Single Island.
The foregoing is a true record of the evidence I have given.
Sd. Norman Bain.