1930-03-14 — Page 7

NO ONE TO BLAME IN TANDA-ANKING

COLLISION.

BOTH MASTERS COMPLIMENTED BY THE COURT OF INQUIRY.

CAPTAIN PILCHER'S MANŒUVRE" AFTER THE IMPACT APPROVED.

FULL REPORT OF YESTERDAY'S

HEARING.

At the Marine Court yesterday the inquiry into the circum- stances of the collision between the s.s. Tanda and the s.s. Anking. "off Pedro Blanco on the morning of February 26, was concluded.

The Court found that both masters handled their ships with cution and in a seamanlike manner, and we further compliment the master of the Tanda for his prompt manoeuvre immediately after the moment of impact.”*

FULL TEXT OF FINDING.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS,

The Court's finding was as folhad been in command of the s.s. Tanda for five years, and at thể love:-

time of the collision the ship was We find that the British 3.8. on her way from Moji to Hon Anking official No. 148303 of Lon-Kong. At 7 pm on February 23 dow of which Mr. Robert Ritchie (Certifiente of Competency as Extra Master No. 0316st of Dundee) was Master came into collision in derisa fog with the British s.s. Tanda No.

be was steering S. 74 W true and steaming 10 knots. At 7.30 p.m. the engines were rung to stand by," owing to the fog, and from this time on fog signals were" sounded very minute. Witness said that he was on the bridge from 7.30 p.m. u 120250 of Glasgow of which Mr.till the time of the collision and the Elias Tomlin Pilcher (Certificate frourse was maintained until 1.30.30 a.m.; two minutes before the colli sion.

Competency as Extra Master No. 031623 of London) was Master in an approximate position Lat. 2.20 N.

and Long 13.13 E. al: 140 am, *(local time?ray February 26, 1930.

Captain Pilcher said that two ships were in company with the Tanda during the whole night. The first one was about two points bes We find that the Anking, being fore the starboard beam and they ma voyage from Hong Kong to gradually overtook her. When she Swatow was on course N. 73 E. was about two points abalt the true, speed slow at 1.32 a.m. At starboard beam the Tanda slowed down and the vessel passed them 1.31 hearing a long blast from n steamer about one point on her port again and drew ahend to the star- how she altered course to N. 66 Eboard beam where she was at the (true). At 1.35 hearing a second time of the collision. Witness said Blast, the compass bearing of the that the Tanda ensed down her for signal not having altered en sped to 4 knots at 0.55 a.m.

The second ship was right natera ines were stopped. Ship then pro- i creded to lose her weigh and to fall and was overtaking them gradually. ff to starboard. At 139 a.m. the At the time of the collision it was, lights of the Tanda were sighted on their port bow. Both these ves- alent 100 feet 6 points in the portsels were blowing the regulation

signals throughout.

hen,

We find that the as. Tanda pro ceeding en her voynge from "Moji (Japan) to Hong Kong at 1.20 ocal time) on February 26, 1930, was on a course S. 74 W (tre) proceeding at four knots "having another steamer, Dame unknown, in her starboard beam, position on Both ships were sounding regula tinn fog signals.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1930.

Force of the Impact.

In answer to Mr. Davidson, wit- ness said that the Tanda's way

ROUND THE COURTS.

was getting less and less just prior HON. MR. BRAGA'S OFFICES to the collision. The Arking bad way on her when the impact occur.

President: But did you cross, her bows -Witness replied, that the Tanda did, but at the time she was stationary. He attributed her cross- ing the Anking's bows to the fact that he put his port engine full ahead to counteract a swing to star-red. board.

The Anking Halled. Captain Pilcher said that just after the collision he hailed the Anking twice but received no reply. Witness anid that the Tanda was 443 feet long and that his half speed was 4 knots

The vessel could pull up from half speed and go astern within one and half minutes. The ship`ear- ried two wireless officers, and mesi 30ges were sent out continuously to find the name of the other ship. It was not nati! 10,35 5.m. that they got in touch with the s.3, Anking.

Iaunediately after the collision the bonts and crew were ordered to their stations and a general muster of the passengers was held in the saloon.

Anking's Signals Criticised. Captain Pilcher was cross ex- amined by Mr. Davidson and said that the maxium speed of the ship vessel could do one knot. Witness was 14 knots. At slow speed" the

remarked that he always had trouble with the pilots over this statement, as they would never be lieve it. Witness also said that he was sure that the sound of the whistle which he first heard at 1.25 am was the same as the one which blew three blasts just before the impact, and that it was the whistle of the Anking. All ship's whistles had their own note and witness, could always tell then apart. He agreed with Mr. Davidson that the same would apply to his whistle.

own

Mr. Davidson suggested that hav. ing heard a whistle on his star- board bow it was dangerous to pro- cred. Witness'replied that it would be dangerous anywhere, except on the south coast of China where there was no cross traffic'apart from jinks, and on this night the sea was very free "from" these craft.

Mr. Davidson: I suggest thut the two short blasts which you heard at 1.36 n.m. were not from the Anking but another vessel.- Witness:No, they were from the Anking.

Mr. Davidson: Don't you think you should have ported your helm on hearing the two blasts.-They were only sound signals. You have to see something first. The other ship gave every signal that she should not hare given.

į

BURGLED..

A Chinese youth of 15 was ordered Mr. Davidson: Why do you say Mr. A. W. G. H., Grantham to that I saw her bow approaching receive 13 strokes of the care for Mr. Davidson: Is that your only stealing a number of articles, in reason. My point as that the move- ment of your own ship may have deceived you and made you think the Anking was approaching.

Witness agreed that this was possible.

Did you see the whole length of the Anking, 1 did not netice, Witness heard an engine-room telegraph sounded, but could not tell what the signal was

The President: No, there would

be no indication.

Lacut, Coudr. Addington; Was there any "pumping of the tele- graph to indicate

-urgency --1 didn't hear any.

Mr. Davidson: Did you hear the Auking's captain hail you, and say What Ship" heard someone hail, but did not catch what it was. My own captain hailed just about the same time. There was a lot of noise-Chinese shouting from the

king's fo'cas'le. There were 600 coolies on board. Mr. Davidson I don't wonder.

There would be noise! (Laughter.)

Witness agreed that the Tanda might have lost her swing after the collision. fle could not say if the ship was answering her helm just. betore the impact. There was only one, impact.

bave come apart like that if the Jr. Davidson: Would the ships Anking had had any way on her

I can't say.

Mr. Davidsen: You, think that slight impact would have taken the way off the Anking if she had been going ahead --She must have had some way on her. And it wasn't such a slight impacti

cluding a table clock, pencils and n napkin from the offices of the Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga at No. Ia, Chater Road.

Detective-Inspector. Shannon said that the defendant was arrested on leaving the building. At the Police Station he admitted that he had stolen the things from Mr. Braga's offices. The police found the boards of a partition at the office had been broken down and several other things moved." 15 was thought pos sible that the defendant was respon- sible for other larcenies from offices in the same part of the city within the last two months, although no evidence of this could be brought against him.

The Magistrate in imposing an- tence pointed out that had the de- fendant been two years older he would have sentenced him to "six

was being lightly dealt with. months' hard labour; as it was he

SEDITIOUS' PAPERS.

surety for her son, who was charged The refusal of a mother to stand

with distributing seditious pam- resulted in the young man being phlets at the Races, Happy Valley, sent to prison: Mr. Lindsell had previously indicated that ho would discharge the boy if a guarantee was. forthcoming but on the mother's ro- fusal the Magistrate remarked that the defendant must be a person of bad character and imposed a sen- tence of six weeks' imprisonment. The youth had been given an oppor tunity to get his father-in-law to furnish a bond, but the latter could not be found.

In anewer to L-Comdr. Adding. too, witness said that they had en the bridge a quartermaster on one side, himself on the other and the Captain moving about." There was a man on the forecastle hend and another quartermaster at the FIREMAN WHO" BORROWED." wheel. He was himself in charge of the sounding party, and the depth at I am. was 17 fathims.

A fireman attached to the Central Fire Station who was charged with possession of three opium pipes, was sentenced to six weeks' hard labour by Mr. Lindall yesterday...

Chief Officer's Evidence, Mr. Vincent Charles Lett, Chief Officer of the Tanda, said he woke

Det.-Insp. Shannon stated that up just before the collision, He the man was involved six weeks ago heard one long blast from another in a fight with a Shantung constable ship, which seemed close, then one for which he had been departmeatsl- long last, from the Tanda. Thenly dealt with... two short blasts from the other "There are a few ruffians in the Mr. Davidson: Why on hearing Then he heard three short blasts tinued. They have been victimiz- ship and two from his own ship. Fire Brigade," the officer con- the two long blasts from the other

from the other ship and immediate-ing keepers of aly brothels, and have ship, followed by the two shortly after the same signal from his a habit of "borrowing" things.". blasta, and seeing the mast lights

own ship This was all in the didn't you go astern. Was not that manoeuvre the correct and only Besides the main damage be found space of from 30 to 45 seconds. thing to do in the circumstances -

Adent below the shelter deck, the Anking no one would have" dreamt that she would be in the anchor. The sounding boom, which stuck out 28 feet from the ship's position where I found her.

President: You, felt justified in side, just abaft the bridge was not not going astern because of the damaged. signals the Aaking gave Yes,

Witness said that he also heard the sound of a third ship about four points on his starboard bow. The signal sounded very faint as if a good way away. As it got clearer it shifted towards the beam. A second or two before 1.38 a.m. the third ship gave two long blasts which sounded louder than before and appeared to be bearing on the bow. Witness said that he then At 1.27 Tandu heard a further rangstop " to the engines. A few Eng-signal fore Jong blast four seconds later the other ship gave points on lar starboard bow anel at 4 another two short blasts and witness Having heard the signals given by probably made by the Anking's 183 received two long blaste"

waited for a second or two, until the from the ship. At 1,39 Tanda stop-loom of her lights showed through ped. At 1.35 starboarded her helm the fog, and then gave two short to avoid a ship whose lights had blasts and put the helm to 'star- just been sighted on the starboard board. That was the first time the how and which ship from her fog course was changed. signals was deemed to be stopped and making no way through the water.

At 138 am, both ships went

astern.

sinn.

full

:

The Mast Lights. Captain Pilcher said that the lights were three points on the bow and a second inter he saw her port light. He estimated the lights to At 1.40a.m. they came into collie 150 feet away from the Tanda's bridge. Questioned, witness aid We are of the epinion that the that he saw the mainast, light half causes of the collision were as a second after he spotted the forn- follow:-

| mast light, and, judging the posi- tion of the two lights he throught that the ship was at right angles He did not see the to his course. starboard light until after the collision.

(a) Anking on hearing long blasts in the first instance thought she heard Tanda whereas she nctually heard the ship on Tanda's beam. She then rightly ported and had the misfortune to close Tandit, (b) When approaching one an

ather both vessels had slight headway causing Anking to strike Tanda on the starboard low breast No. 2 hatch. ( That Anking's headway was

such that going stern over came it just too late, to avoid impact.

We find that both masters handled their ships with caution and in seamanlike maner and we further compliment the master of the Tanda for his prompt manouvre immediately after the moment of impact.

THE EVIDENCE.

CAPTAIN PILCHER'S STORY- OF THE MISHAP.

Do you consider that if you had. gone astern the collision would have been avoided 1-Yes, from what has since transpired.

Was

Mr. Davidson: Can you suggest why ?

The witness (drily): I suppose it was not struck.

Engineer and Quartermaster Called.

MISS CHINA ON A BIKE.

A modern Chinese Miss amused herself by describing circles" in Nathan Road on her bicycle. She had an audience of male admirers but when the police came on the scene, they very gallantly dis- appeared!

The girl was. summoned before Mr.. Whyte-Smith yesterday for dangerous riding and was fined $10. A Chinese youth who was before the Magistrate for carrying a pra- senger on his back-step was let of with a caution, as the alleged offence took place in a road where there is not much traffic.

CLUB "BOY" GETS FOUR MONTES..

In the usual course the stand-by man would enter the movement' book,

Cross-examined by Mr.. Davidson, witness said that the collision oc

Pleading guilty to a theft of £1 curred at 1.3744 and at 1.39 he note, Chinese boy" employed at received an order to go "hall the Taikoo Club, was sentenced wo ahead." At half speed the engines four weeks' imprisonment by Mr. would be doing about 40 revolu. R. E. Lindsell at Central Magis tiona.

tracy yesterday..

Second Officer's Evidence. In the afternoon, Mr. Rälph Harry, the second officer of the s.s.

Mr. F. Baker, Third Engineer, said he was

on watch from mid Tanda was called. He said, that night to 4 a.m. There were also in he held a master's certificate and

the engine-room the sixth and third was on duty on the bridge at the engineers, the latter being a stand- time of the collision. Two vessels followed the Tanda during they man until 2 a.m. night while another pne

in front.

At 1.95 a.m. be heard the first blast from the third vessel, on the Continuing witness said that at starboard bow. She was giving a 1.37 .m. the other ship gave three continuous signal of one blast. "At short blasts and the Tanda also 1.33 a.m. she gave two long blasts replied with three short blasts, and followed by another two at 1.25 put both engines full astern, then.m. From the Inst signal he kagw engines anawering immediately. that the vessel was steering in an The two ships came into collision at 1.33 a.m. It was pointed out- that the clock pa the bridge was two minutes slower than Hong Kong time, and, incidentally, the time recorded by the s... Anking. ...The Impact.

opposita course to themselves and closing in. The "stop" signal was riven to the engines which were at ball speed. Witness heard another two blasts after the order for the engines stop, and almost im- mediately he saw the loom of lights three points on the starboard bow. Witness corroborated the Captain's had little headway on just before the impact, and the other ship was also moving very slowly. After the collision the Captain ordered the port engine "full ahead."

Witness said that the Tanda had very little headway at the time, so little that it was hardly noticeable.version of the collision. The Tanda The ather ship's how struck the Tanda causing her to roll heavily, The ships separated and did not touch again, owing to the part en gine being put full ahead. At 1.38.30 a.m. both engines were stop- ped. Witness added that when the port engine" was put full ahead the helm was also put hard a starboard. Just after the impact the course Was S. 54 W. as reported by the quartermaster. Witness subsequent R.N.

was the as. Anking. acted as President, the other mem

"The Anking struck the Tanda bers of the Court being Lt.-Comdr.

at an angle of approximately 70 L. G. Addington, R.N. (H.M.S. Tamar), Captain Stewart (ss. Hai- degrees and it appeared to us that ning), Captain D. Lefevre (she was swinging under starboard Benreech), and Captain A. M.helm at the time. We were struck juat abreast of No 2 after hitch Frame (s.s. Taiping).

on the starboard side," said Capt.

The Hon. Commander G. F. Hole,

Asked about the maximum speed, witness placed it at 12 koota an hour as against the Captain's esti- mate of 14 knots. He could give no idea of what it would be at slow speed.

Ali Mohamed, quartermaster, stated that he had been on the Tanda for five years. At midnight he took over watch, the compass being set on a course 5.79 W.

Club. When Mr. Muaro, the com- Defendant was a room boy at the plainant, returned on Wednesday night, he found a treasury note "boy" missing and although the denied having stolen ik at first, he owned up as soon as he was told that he would be taken to the police. It was explained to the Magistrate that defendant was the only "boy". who had access to the room.

At 1.36.1-2 a.m. witness received · an order from the Captain "hard TRAFFIC IN BOYS! to starboard." At 1.38 the ships

The case in which. Pun Ching, collided, at the time the Tands being on starboard helm. With married woman, and Lam Sheung, starboard helm and the force of the coolie, both of 100, Apliu Street, impact, the Tanda was put 18 de 2nd floor, are charged with alleged grees out of her course, or 8.54W. traffic in boys, was again before Mr. Mr. W. Harris, wireless operator, Whyte-Smit yesterday, and the gave evidence of sending out five hearing was fixed for Monday, 17th general messages, between 1.44 and instant at 2 p.m.. The S.C.A. asked

out the name of the ship which 2.15 am. for the purpose of finding for the adjournment in order to call

collided with the Tanda. The first retired (Harbour Master)ly discovered that the other ship

Mr. F. C. Jenkin and Mr. H. G Sheldon, instructed by Mr. G. C. N. Tinson, of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Master, appeared on behalf of Capt. Pilcher, of the Tanda, and Mr. E. Davidson, of and Messrs. Hastings, Denny's Bowley, was for Capt. R.. Ritchie, of the Anking.

Pilcher.

Witness was handed the paper containing the positions of the two ships as worked out by Captain Ritchie at the time of the collision, and agreed that it was about car- rect. He did not, however, agree to the estimate of the position when other. they first sighted each

After the impact we remained stationary and the Anking drew out Captain I. J. Pilcher, master of into the fog. The last we saw of the .. Tanda said that he held her was 100 feet baft of our an extra master's certificate. He bridge," said witness.

Captain Pilcher's Evidence.

an expert witness on Chinese cus toms as to the adoption of children.

Why This Was Done. Continuing witness said that this was done to prevent the stem of the Tanda corning into contact with the Apking. The port engine was kept ahead for about half a minute and the Anking drifted slowly down the starboard side and

time he got in touch with the disappeared in the fog. The helm

Apking was in reply to his message was put to port also at the same time as the order to the port en-anking if they had been in colli. sion at Pedro Blanco. A reply

The Anking wireless operator was recalled and stated in answer purporting to come from the An- gine,

king at 8.55 read "Sorry don't to Mr. Jenkin that he could not ac- know." Immediately after he sent count for not having received the a message requesting the sender to messages alleged to have been sent consult the master, but there was by the Tanda between 8 and 9 a.m. no reply.

He was on duty during that time.

Mr. Jenkin said that that closed the evidence. as far as he was con- cerned. By agreement with his friend (Mr. Davidson) he would relieve the Court of listening to addresses.

Witness was asked if he heard any signal from the Anking and replied that 10 seconds after the collision he heard the gong from the engine room replying to the bridge telegraph. He saw the fore- most mast light first, followed by the mainmast light and then the port side light.

Mr. Sheldon: Was the mainmast light to the left or to the right of the foremost light-Wide open to the right.

L

Before the collision did you see one or both of the side lights.-I saw the port light only. The star- board light was not seen until after the collision.

Mr. F. A.. Kemp, traffic sumerin- tendent of the Hong Kong Radio Office, produced bis office record for February 20. He mid that at 8.59 a.m. the office picked up a message from the Tanda to the Anking asking for certain informa tion. Four minutes later there was another call from the Tanda These were the only messages re- corded. (Continued at foot of next column).

The President: The matter is very technical and the Court has all the evidence necessary for their finding.

The Court retired at 5.15 and gave their decision at 7.40 p.m.

GOLF CLUBS'

A large selection of IRONS aud WOODS, just arrived-all made in the workshops of

Geo. E. Smith

A professional who understands the local conditions of play.

SPECIAL:-

FANCY PUTTERS.

ALUMINIUM SPOONS

RUNNER UPS.

SPALDINGS

Also

MATCHED SETS

OF “KROFLITE " IRONS & WOODS

“ RANGEFINDER ”

STEEL SHAFTED RUSTLESS

IRONS.

SPORTS DEPT.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

Jen

Columbia RECORDS

YOU'LL ENJOY THESE FAMOUS MUSICAL COMEDY AIRS OF THIRTY YEARS AGO,

9881-LIONEL MONCKTON'S MEMORIES DEBROY SOMERS BAND

9883-LIONEL MONCKTON'S MEMORIES VOCAL GEMS

9882-PAUL RUBEN'S MEMORIES

DEBROT SOMERS BAND

The Anderson Music Co., Ld.

46

DAIRY FARM NEWS.

WEEK-END SPECIALTY

THE POPULAR CHOICE

BLACK PUDDINGS

60 Cents Per Lb. On Sale SATURDAY

THE DAIRY FARM, ICE & COLD STORAGE CO., LTD.

NINETY YEARS OLD !

Anniversary Sale.

In Celebration of the 90th Anniversary of our Entering Business, a SPECIAL REDUCTION will be made for Cash Sales from MARCH 15 to 28 inclusive.

Inspection Cordially Invited.

KWONG WOO,

Dealer in Jewellery, Jade

Jade and Gold and Silver Ware, 66, QUEEN'S ROAD, CENTRAL