CO129-619-3 Marine Court of Inquiry to investigate stranding of S.S. HONG KHENG- proceedings 1-7-1947 - 31-7-1947 — Page 26

(7).

EVIDENCE OF ALFRED HEREDRT WARD

2ND ENGINEER OF THE "HONG KHENG " Swarn.

26

My name is Alfred Herbert Ward and I

was 2nd Engineer of the "Hong Kheng" at the time of

the stranding. I hold a 2nd Class B.0.T. Engineers

Certificate of Competency. We felt nothing in the

Our

engine room when the "Hong Kheng" stranded.

first knowledge of the casualty was when the Chief

Engineer spoke by voicepipe to instruct us to put

the general service pump on Nos. 1 and 2 holds.

At 0353 we got "stop" immediately

followed by "Full Astern". We received "Stop" again

around 4.0 A.M. The entire engine room crew remained

calm and carried out all orders.

We were able to supply light right up to

about 1.30 P.M. on the 19th July, 1947, when the

engine room became flooded.

The "Hong Kheng" had reciprocating

engines, and reversal time would take about a minute.

foregoing

The following is a true

record of the evidence I have given.

sa. A.H. Ward.