CO129-619-3 Marine Court of Inquiry to investigate stranding of S.S. HONG KHENG- proceedings 1-7-1947 - 31-7-1947 — Page 2

Quartermaster, 8.3. "HONG KHENG"

(11)

Tok Ah Chuan

(12)

Teo Keong Khim

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體

(13) - Lee Teng Joo

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(14)

Miam Chin Chua

(15)

-

Mr. William )).

5.

Jer)-

Richard Hillyer

Lookout Man

n

Deputy Shipping Master of Hong Kong.

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE ATTACHED;

(A) - Warrant convening the Court.

Minutes of the proceedings.

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(B)

(c)

Evidence of witnesses.

(D)

(E)

#1

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(F) Statement

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Affidavit made by Captain G.D. Dodman of the

/8.3. "ORIENT CITY". Captain S. Schofield of the

/8.8. "WING SANG".

Captain "Kalin" of the /U.S.S.R. S.S. "NAHODKA".

6.

FINDING OF THE COURT

We find that the British vessel "Hong Khong"

registered at the Port of Singapore and owned by the Ho Hong Steamship Company, (1932), Limited, of Singapore left

the Port of Victoria, Hong Kong at about 1850 hours on

Friday the 18th day of July, 1947, and that Captain Douglas

Ronald Bannerman was Master of the vessel and had cleared

her for Swatow with 1,620 Asiatic passengers and a crew of

181 but carrying no cargo.

2.

At 2042 hours on the same day and when in a

position 173 degrees distant 2.0 miles from the island known

as the South Nine-pin the course was set 075 degrees to pass

approximately 8.0 miles off Chilang Point. The wind was

E.N.E. with a force of from 5 to 6 on the Beaufort Scale

and the visibility was fair with occasional rain storms.

3.

No alterations in the course vere made, and at

0357 hours on Saturday the 19th day of July, 1947, the "Hc

Kheng" stranded on the Reef Island rocks and subsequently

became a total los38.