CO129-619-3 Marine Court of Inquiry to investigate stranding of S.S. HONG KHENG- proceedings 1-7-1947 - 31-7-1947 — Page 12

(1).

EVIDIN CE OF CAPTAIN DOUGLAS RONALD

BANNERMAN Sworn.

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My name is Douglas Ronald Bannerman, and I was

Master of the S.S. "Hong Kheng" at the time of the

casualty.

My certificate is a Master's Foreign Going

(steamship) No. 22725 issued at Liverpool on the 23rd

day of January, 1928.

I left buoy A4 at about 1830 (H.K. Summer Time)

on the evening of the 18th July, 1947, at 1930 hours

we were off Taikoo Doek. At 2042 hours the South Nine-

pin was bearing N7 W (True) distant 2 miles. I gave instruction for the course to be set N75° E (True). I

remained on the bridge until he was placed on that course and I referred to the deviation book and scap log book

for previous errors. On one voyage we had had an error 1°w and on two previous voyages Ml error. I decided

to allow nothing on this occasion as the wind was slightly

on the port bow. I was anxious regarding the weather in

view of the depression which was in the vicinity at the

time. In view of the weather I instructed the officer

of the watch to read the barometer every hour. After

this I went down below and returned to the bridge at

showed

2230 hours. The barometer should a tendency to rise

and the sky was clearer. After giving careful instruc-

tions, to the officer of the watch to call me if the

barometer fell or conditions worsened, I gave instruc-

tions to be called at 4.0 A.M. I went below for a rest.

at 0250 I awoke and returned to the bridge. The baro-

meter was perceptibly rising by this time. I had a

word with the Chief officer, and questioned him regarding

two white lights first on the starboard bow. He replied

that "they were vessels which had overtaken us",