CO129-619-3 Marine Court of Inquiry to investigate stranding of S.S. HONG KHENG- proceedings 1-7-1947 - 31-7-1947 — Page 18

(2).

EVIDENCE OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM GUTHRIE

/ERWIN - Sworn.

18

My name is William Guthrie Erwin

and I am Master of the "Haiyang".

I have been on the China Coast

trade 32 years, and of these I have been 23 years

in command.

I left Hong Kong at 5.15 P.M. 18th

July, 1947. I took my departure from the East

Ninepin bearing (N) True 31 mile.

I set the course

N73° E (True). No fixes throughout the night.

The first thing I saw was Turtle Rocks at 6.10 A.M.

on the 19th July.

distant mile.

They were close on the part bow

I was set in 5 miles in the 102

miles steamed. I estimated the set to be N.N.W.

The wind up to midnight was about E.N.E. from 5 - 6

There was a

and after midnight veered to the East.

heavy 8.E.ly swell after midnight.

Soundings between the Ninepin and

Chilang Point would give indications of an inshore

set.

I have never experienced an abnormal

set following the passing of a Revolving Tropical

storm.

The normal set is parallel to the

coast and at this time of the year would be week.

I cannot give any reason for the set

and drift which I experienced, and I have neither

heard of it nor experienced it before.

I consider Chilang Point Light Bo be

of great importance to navigation.