CO129-619-3 Marine Court of Inquiry to investigate stranding of S.S. HONG KHENG- proceedings 1-7-1947 - 31-7-1947 — Page 23

(6).

EVIDENCE OR ROBERT CHARLES BARKER

ACTING CHIEF OFFICER OF S.S.

"HONG KHENG"

Sworn.

23

My name is Robert Charles Barker and I was

acting chief officer of the "Hong Khong" at the time

of the casualty.

I took over the middle watch at midnight on the

18th July, 1947.

bility was fair.

The weather was clear and the visi-

Apart from passing rain storms the weather remained as described right up to the time of the stranding.

No soundings were taken on my watch. There were two vessels on our Starboard beam at midnight distant

approximately 4 miles. I last saw these 2 vessels at 3.0 A.M. when they were first on the starboard bow say 1 to 1 points. I was on the bridge at the time of the stranding and at 3.40 A.M. the Master came up

A.M.

We

part poft estimated position on to the bridge, and together wo discussed the present <probent

bf8bèht 88ur88 until°¤affïght bearings could be ob-

tained. The Master then informed me that he would

take over the watch and instructed me to write up the log. After I had completed writing up the log the Master called ne over to the starboard side of the bridge and asked me what I thought of the object in the water on our starboard bow. At firs it appeared to be a patch of oil, or discoloured water, and then I realised that it was a rock. the Master's approval I gave the helm order "hard to port" end stood by the helmsman as he put his helm over. The Master reng 'stop" on both engines at the "full aster". At 0357 the vessel struck, and I left the bridge and went forward to ascertain the damage.

With