CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12] — Page 236

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
Series Prev Next

(C O P Y)

Sir,

Enclosure 4931

C.O.

1150

0.5.6. "H.B.M. Consul-General"

Canton, China,

June 11th, 1909.

I beg to bring to your notice a suit brought in a Hong Kong Court against Captain A.S. Gove, Master of the United States Naval Collier "Alexander", and set for trial on July 2nd, next.

2. I have been directed by the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet, to assume charge of the case in his name and therefore respectfully request you to take such action as you may deem proper in view of the following facts.

3. On the 29th of March last the United States Naval Collier "Alexander" in the harbour of Hongkong, collided with the Hongkong Junk No.481 resulting in the sinking of the latter and the loss of the greater part of her cargo. Suit has been brought against the Master of the Collier for recovery of damages.

4. It appears that the Plaintiffs recognize the public character of the ship and are aware that suit may not be brought against the United States as owner, but that knowing that the Master of the Collier is not a commissioned officer of the Navy they hope either to enforce the law of responsibility of masters of merchant-men against him; or else they hope that out of mere compassion the United States will come to his rescue by paying the damages without scrutiny of their propriety.

Neither ground is tenable. The Master of the Collier is a Public Officer of the United States, being a citizen of the United States, having been appointed to his command by the Navy Department, and having taken the oath of allegiance as such officer.

As a duly qualified officer of the United States...

the United States Consul-General,

at Hongkong,

China.

Edit History

2026-06-02 11:15:13 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
(C O P Y) Sir, Enclosure 4931 C.O. 1150 0.5.6. "H.B.M. Consul-General" Canton, China, June 11th, 1909. I beg to bring to your notice a suit brought in a Hong Kong Court against Captain A.S. Gove, Master of the United States Naval Collier "Alexander", and set for trial on July 2nd, next. 2. I have been directed by the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet, to assume charge of the case in his name and therefore respectfully request you to take such action as you may deem proper in view of the following facts. 3. On the 29th of March last the United States Naval Collier "Alexander" in the harbour of Hongkong, collided with the Hongkong Junk No.481 resulting in the sinking of the latter and the loss of the greater part of her cargo. Suit has been brought against the Master of the Collier for recovery of damages. 4. It appears that the Plaintiffs recognize the public character of the ship and are aware that suit may not be brought against the United States as owner, but that knowing that the Master of the Collier is not a commissioned officer of the Navy they hope either to enforce the law of responsibility of masters of merchant-men against him; or else they hope that out of mere compassion the United States will come to his rescue by paying the damages without scrutiny of their propriety. Neither ground is tenable. The Master of the Collier is a Public Officer of the United States, being a citizen of the United States, having been appointed to his command by the Navy Department, and having taken the oath of allegiance as such officer. As a duly qualified officer of the United States... the United States Consul-General, at Hongkong, China.
Baseline (Original)
(C O P Y) Sir, Endssure 4931 C.O. 1150 0.5.6. ^ "hli panzten" Canton, China, June 11th..1909. I beg to bring to your notice a suit, brought in a Hong Kong Court against Captain A.5.Gove, Master of the United States Naval Collier "Alexander", and set for trial on July 2nd, next. 2. i have been directed by the Commvader-in-Chief of the United States Asiatic #leet, to assume charge of the case in his nare and therefore respectfully request you to taxe such action as you way deer proper in view of the following facts. 3. On the 29th. of Farch last the United States Naval Collier "Alexander" in the harbour of Hongkong, collided with the Hongkong Junk No.481 resulting in the sinking of the latter and the loss of the greater part of her cargo. Suit has been brought against the Master of the Collier for recovery of damages. 4. It appears that the Plaintiffs recognize the public character of the ship and are aware that suit may not be brought against the United States as owner, but that knowing that the Master of the Collier is not a commissioned officer of the Navy they hope either to enforce the law of responsibility of masters of merchant- men against hin; or else they hope that out of mere compassion the United States will core to his rescue by paying the damages without scrutiny of their propriety. weither ground is tenable. The Master of the Collier is a Public officor of the United States, being a citizen of the United States, having been appointed to his command by the Navy Department, and having taken the oath of allegiance as such officer. As a july Qualified ufficer of the United States the the United States Consul-General, principles al Hongkong, China.
2026-06-02 11:15:13 · Baseline
View content

(C O P Y)

Sir,

Endssure 4931

C.O.

1150

0.5.6. ^ "hli panzten"

Canton, China,

June 11th..1909.

I beg to bring to your notice a suit, brought in a Hong

Kong Court against Captain A.5.Gove, Master of the United States

Naval Collier "Alexander", and set for trial on July 2nd, next.

2. i have been directed by the Commvader-in-Chief of the

United States Asiatic #leet, to assume charge of the case in his

nare and therefore respectfully request you to taxe such action as

you way deer proper in view of the following facts.

3. On the 29th. of Farch last the United States Naval

Collier "Alexander" in the harbour of Hongkong, collided with the

Hongkong Junk No.481 resulting in the sinking of the latter and the

loss of the greater part of her cargo. Suit has been brought against

the Master of the Collier for recovery of damages.

4. It appears that the Plaintiffs recognize the public

character of the ship and are aware that suit may not be brought

against the United States as owner, but that knowing that the Master

of the Collier is not a commissioned officer of the Navy they hope

either to enforce the law of responsibility of masters of merchant-

men against hin; or else they hope that out of mere compassion the

United States will core to his rescue by paying the damages without

scrutiny of their propriety.

weither ground is tenable. The Master of the Collier

is a Public officor of the United States, being a citizen of the

United States, having been appointed to his command by the Navy

Department, and having taken the oath of allegiance as such officer.

As a july Qualified ufficer of the United States the

the United States Consul-General,

principles

al Hongkong,

China.

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.