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Cenclosure Mr. 2 in Governor Sir Arthur I Connedy's Despatch No 268 of 25th November 1873.
V
No. 180.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
472
The following Report of the Marine Court of Inquiry into the Loss of Life arising from the Casualty to the British Steamer Glenlyon, Official Number 68,010, off the South Coast of China, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 20th November, 1873.
FINDING OF THE COURT.
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
1-We find that the British Steamer Glenlyon, Official Number 68,010; 1,373 registered tons; JOHN TEMPLETON, No. of whose Certificate of Competency is 20,767, Master, left Singapore with from 2,500 to 3,000 tons of cargo, and about 280 Chinese Passengers, bound to Hongkong. 2.--We find that there were no spaces below appropriated to the Passengers or their baggage. 3.-We find that the Glenlyon was licensed at Singapore to carry three hundred Passengers, the
accommodation for whom, according to the License, was the Upper Deck.
-We find that the Glenlyon met with a very violent storm on the 30th ultimo, at about noon, in Latitude 15.46 North, and Longitude 112.36 East. The storm lasted until 6 A.M. of the 1st instant. During this interval of time the ship was, from being very deeply laden, and from her peculiar construction-one of great length and disproportionate breadth-in great peril of foundering.
5.We find that during the storm three Chinese met their death from exhaustion or from injuries received from the washing about of the baggage; one Chinese jumped overboard; and one Seaman, GEORGE KAY, was washed overboard when at his duty at the relieving tackles.
It is in evidence that one Chinese, after the vessel's arrival at this Port, stabbed another Passenger and then made his escape by jumping overboard.
In the Chinese evidence it is stated that some of the Passengers were washed overboard, but their number is not known. This evidence is, however, of so uncertain a nature, that no reliable conclusion could be come to on this point.
6.We find that the Master and Chief Officer, under the circumstances, did all they could to secure the safety of their Passengers by ordering them to be provided for in the Saloon, Ship's Fore- castle, Chart Room, Engine Room, and similar places; and that the majority of the Passengers were provided for in this way.
7.-We find that the Crew received compensation from some of the Chinese for the accommodation their Forecastle offered, but it does not appear that this had any influence on the alleged Loss of Life, as many went into this space without paying anything.
8.We find that the Chief Engineer most improperly permitted the Engineers and Firemen to receive
compensation for sheltering Passengers in the Engine Room.
The Court regret having been unable to ascertain with more exactness than they have, the number of Chinese that were actually lost on the voyage. Had the Passengers been counted on going on board at Singapore, the Court's finding on this head would have been more satisfactory.
The License issued at Singapore is attached to the Minutes. It is unsigned and has an erasure changing Two hundred into Three hundred Passengers as licensed to proceed. The Master in his evidence states that the License is in the same condition as when he received it.
The Court thinks it their duty to state that it is to be regretted that any deeply laden ships proceeding on similar voyages should be allowed to carry uusheltered or deck passengers. Given under our Hands at Hongkong, this Fourteenth day of November, 1873.
Confirmed,
C. May, First Police Magistrate.
H. G. THOMSETT, Nay-Lieutenant, R.N., Harbour Master, &c.
H. Lowcock, Un-Official Justice of the Peace.
R. H. CAIRNS, Government Marine Surveyor.
SETH DOANE, Commanding British Steam-ship " Mikado.”
A. E. KENNEDY, Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
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