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1

THE "KOCHOW" ENQUIRY: COURT'S FINDING.

every

"

The Finding as it appears to ma (with the exception, of course, of that portion referring to the master and the recommendation for a Cov- ernment Commission) could have been gleaned by anyone from the It is merely n ship's logbooks. summary of the happenings on the ill-fated passage; that and no more. have already in two or three previous references drawn the composition attention to

of

I

the Court; but I must now call in question, if not the fogni the inappropriate character of its constitution, and the validity of its judgment.

On all those grounds Captain

single exception of one local Comtioning of the witnesses; and the pany, I believe, is still the usualį neglect of such an obvious duty by practice with all the others. That the Court, quite apart from its It should be so can be shown by failure to secure the best local examples far too numerous and in advice in these affairs, is an omis- valved to be herein illustrated; arsion which depriving Ita "Finding". (To the Editor of the "China Mail"]

also, in the case of West River of many recommendations to its Sir, The primary object, of steamers, should the present says usefulness, is inexcusable.

Marine Enquiry now-a-tem ever bo changed, by possible dnya is, or ought to be "enquirios" of quite another nature, the determination of the causes with a dearth of ships, and officers of the casualty under investigation and crews to muh them. All the and what recommendations are con- more surprising is it then that the sidered necessary in order to avoid Court was seemingly unaware of a recurrence under similar condi- these facts, as is evinced by the tons. This procedure in the above "note" recording it.. cuse cited has been, with but minor Further was it atated that "The reservations and exceptfons, almost Court is satisfied that the itability wholly overlooked in a revival of of the ship is satisfactory with the that pernicious and now generally cargo properly stowed;" and that no discredited practice of finding a vic-evidence had yet been added that tim which, in this instance, is again the cargo was improperly towed.

But in the indictment against the that poor, unfortunate scapegaat," the over-burdened shipmaster. master, particular empipals was To those of his ilk familiar with lald on the fact of his preceding the locality, and who, like myself on to sen with the ship ove loaded, one or two occasions, have so nar-thla being the principal.inpeach-Morgan would be well advised rowly escaped the fate which befell ment, presumably, for which he was through the medium of the local the master of the "Kochow," its found in default. This thing ad-Guild or other representative body dangers and difliculties are all too mitted by the master, I shill make to appeal to the Board of Trade for well known; and had the Court in no attempt to defend or blittle its an annulment of the Court's find- its composition secured the services importance in a question of this ing and the return of his certificate. of those men, I venture to think its kind, but only draw attenton to the For one thing, however, all British deliberations would have been pro-frequency with which it was per- Merchant Navy officers out here ductive of more good as well as mitted in the near past and its per will be. thankful to the Court, and fairness to those involved in them, tinency to all in the river trade that is the gratifying announcement For, in my opinion, based on the which only they can apprelate and of its recommendation: "that a com- mission will be appointed by the knowledge of ten years experience understand.

I think it can, not Government of Hong Kong to en on the Wang Mun Bar, the chief shown, as

тоге expert opinion quire into the general conditiona enuse of the disaster investigated only by by the Court was undoubtedly owing than was available at the lime, but under which British ships operate to the inadequate and now mislead by inferences drawn from he evid-in this (the West River) trade." ing method of marking the tortuous, ence submitted to the Cart, that This is a measure which has long changing channel, which crosses it, this offence for which th master been needed, giving rise to the live- and which makes its navigation so has so dearly paid did ng in fact llest feelings of satisfaction and difficult and uncertain; all other contribute to the mishap fr which confident hope that his, the officer's reasons, such an overloading, ab- he was arraigned, it shuld not position and prestige which since sence from the bridge, currents and have influenced the Cour in the the pitiful surrenders of 1922-1925 the prevailing conditions, for which major matter it was converd to de- have been so precarious and re- the master was held in default, have efde, but been separately tied when duced may be regained and his 'fu- His position in their extenuating and relative ag- a nominal fine would, I thik, have ture made secure.

all West River steamers vis-a-vis pects, and if at all contributory to met the case. the immediate result of the original

the pilot's is a very anomalous one cause, are but subsidiary to it.

which, I trust, the proposed cam- malasion will endeavour to more par- ticularly define.

This is demonstrably evident in the numerous groundings, on both

But if can

With regard to the third and last fault for which the master as held to blame an assumed Fror of judgment "In attempting o cross

the bar under the prevaiḥg con- ditions," I cannot find inthe de- position of any one of the winesses, a title of evidence in supprt of it. Personally, I cannot conceit of any weather, conditions othe than strong winds with a roughsea and a

atmisphere

state of the

It is partly in support of this that some allusions in my letter have been penned. For the rest I claim the privilege of fair and honest criticism in the individual and pub- lic good. If in my review of the Court's proceedings and finding my remarks savour too much of the hypercritical, I can only plead tho right of every honest seaman to sneak his mind in the defence of another; and that if I have of neces sity, though unintentionally, hurt the susceptibilities of any aingle member of the Court, I beg of him na one brother sailor to another to take it in the spirit it was meant.

Yours, etc.,

G. J. SPINK.

Master

"3.8. Taj Ming".

LIFE SAVING.

sides of the channel, by every ves- sel navigating in the vicinity, which can be proved by the testimony of their several masters. The two lights marking the bar, when first estab- lished. may have indicated the direction acrons it; but that has now changed so much that without other aids, say a lighted buoy near when the lights were obscur the extending split N. E. off Crag ed, which would justify amaster Island, the channel can only be in not attempting to ciss the negotiated and maintained with the Wang Mun Bar in any vessel nicest judgment, local knowldege, now regularly doing so. On the and at times, a large amount of night in question neither these guesswork. In all these qualities conditions prevailed, and he five the Chinese pilot, though uncerti-knot current which it was illeged Acuted and mostly. Ignorant of all was then running transverely to other nautical or navigational the "Kochow's" course Wouldnot be knowledge except the "Rule of the felt nor suspected until thepessel Road," is much superior to his for- was on it. It would be abot neap eign and less experienced colleague, tides too, and the master's know- and having served all his life, ledge of there having been frphlets maybe, in that particular trade or in the river which, in itself, anti- I run in which he has become per- cipatory in its suggestivents of

To the Editor of the "China Mail”) feetly familiar and competent, he strong tides would, both toether,

Sir, The local press has during would be a foolhardy master who, renssure him of the depth ofwater under ordinary circumstances, in the Channel for his draft which the past week paid some consider- would interfere with his specialised the pilot's assertion that t cur- able attention to the subject of dutfes Furthermore, in some rent was stronger than even ie had life-saving, owing to a recent case firms where the pilot is an older and anticipated, and the mate's sound- of drowning. I do not know whe more trusted servant than the masing of twenty-five feet just before ther any interest was taken in life- ter, their relative duties and posi- the vessel struck, both go t provo saving prior to 1927. In that year Coramander Merriman of H.M.S. tions are more confidentially de- him right in his conjectues. fined, any breach of which being must, therefore, In this too, upport Vindictive," who was proceeding detrimental to all concerned would the master in his judgment of home, perauaded me to undertake prove still more disastrous for the crossing the bar under thee cir- the work of Local Representative master than any imaginary risks he cumstances, It is a singur and and Examiner to the Royal Life Saving Society of Great Britain. might run in abserving them. extraordinary commentary upon

Mindful of these reflections, this case which makes one urlous- The Society were pleased to give their approval. Last Summer, therefore, and the fact that an as-ly to think, when in scrutining the King's College and the Hong Kong sistant, or No. 2 pilot, of less ex- "Finding of the Court," onefails to Corps of the St. John Ambulance perience is always carried by all find if we exclude the comfemna-Brigade Overscas became affiliated West River steamers, a master may tion and penalization of he unto the R.LS.S. and classes of be induced to Bo arrange the happy and to-be-pitid maste) one instruction were immediately form- watches that he will always be on single definite result of all its In-ed. In the Autumn the Boy the bridge with him, to attend and bours, or justifications fr its Scouts Association also became la- help with his own knowledge the raison d'etre. Everyone knows terested in the work of the Society. immature experience of the other. that the stability of a ship i satis- In addition I had the pleasure of If this laudable custom was prac-factory when the cargo is poperly examining two Naval Classes and

class, tised by the master of the "Kochow" stowed! And that it was so towed one Military

On which of the It would explain his absence from is proved by the evidence; why not examinations soveral the bridge at the time of the strand- let it go at that? The all pport Society's Bronze Medallions and ing: and considered with reference ant question in a case of strinding Proficiency Certificatos were award- to my previous remarks on is, in my opinion, the navgationed. Service men are invariably Bubject, should exculpate which, in this instance, was solely keen and enthusiastic about work him from all blame on this and authoritatively in the hands of of this nature, spending much time charge. There are many other an uncertificated Chinese pilt. Why and trouble in making themselves equally dangerous places on was he not exhaustively quesioned efficient avery marked contrast to the river where an accident may and examined on his abilites to the apathetic attitude happen at any time; but it would navigate the bar which, in is pre- | average civilian, as has been many be unreasonable and unjust to ex-sent unsatisfactory condition of times exemplified.

This year the South China pect the master's attendance at pilotage aids, requires a high legree them on all occualosa-flesh and of intelligent judgment to so so? Athletic Association has become blood could never stand it. But May the stranding not have been affiliated, and it is confidently ex- supposing, just for the sake of due to his lack of this, or aom other pected that other local. Clubs' wil Illustration, that some impossible fault or mistake on his part for follow the excellent load set by paragon of a master did essay to which he alone should be held res- them.

In order to spread the work of try it, and at the last spot, that hap- ponable? Was the ship out of the

as far as possible, I pened which all hia previous deepest part of the channel when the Society vigilance had helped to bring about she struck? And if so, under what should be only too pleased to give and made him physically powerless combination of circumstances did information to anyone who applies to me. I am particularly anxious to avert. Would a discriminating she get there? What caused her to Court acquit him of what his fool- list and sink? The current alone, to get in Immediate touch with ser- ishness had occasioned, or condemn or even with the water entering the ice men and others who have at him for the action he had striven to main-deck through the cargo parts any time obtained any of the Royal avoid? To concede these points is would not do so with the ship Life Saving Society's awards as I am badly in need of the assistance aground, unless she had swung of instructors and trainers. There A shipmaster (legally) has been round the knuckle of some steep are two Military and several erroneously-regarded as omniscient bank and slipped into deeper water. Chinese classes at present existing, and infallible; is he now to be, sad- when the water might have and more in course of formation, dled with omnipresence as well? It penetrated the hold. Were the Thanking you for the courtesy of seems that he should if he is also hatches tarpaulined and battened publication, and trusting I shall to be held responsible for the load-down? How was her head and the receive the support of the local ing and stowage of the cargo direction of the current just before Press. This duty, as is so well known, has the sunk?A

this

to aurrender all the rest.

always been performed on the All these matters and many Chins coast by the numerous Com- others suggested or embodied in the pradore's staffs carriell in all the contents of this latter could have ships for this purpose, and with the been elicited by a judicious ques-

Ypura, etc,

of tho

LA F. K. MURRELL-EWART, BANDARA BLSS. Examiner.

King's College, dist

Hong Kong, July 9, 1928.

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