207611-1934-Finding-of-the-Marine-Court-of-Enquiry-to-enquire-into-the-circumstances-attending-the-stranding-of-the-British-M-V-Svale — Page 1

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MAY 11, 1934.

371

NOTICES.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT.

No. 380.-The following Finding of the Marine Court of Enquiry held on the 26th April, 1934, to enquire into the circumstances attending the stranding of the British Motor Vessel Svale, is published for general information.

11th May, 1934.

W. T. SOUTHORN,

Colonial Secretary.

FINDING.

We find that the M/V Svale, Official No. 121210 of Hong Kong, whilst on a voyage from Foochow to Amoy, grounded on the rocks near Breakwater Rock to the eastward of Tung Sha Island, at about 8.10 p.m. on the night of the 11th March, 1934.

We find that:

1. The Master of the vessel, Mr. Griffith Hughes Wilkins, Certificate of Com- pentency as Master No. 3096 of Hong Kong, was to blame in that he set a course to pass too close to Breakwater Rock on a dark night without having made allowance for leeway due to south-westerly winds or for any set of tide, and in our opinion he should have been on the bridge himself when making a land-fall.

2. Mr. Daniel Thomas Edwards, Second Officer of the ship, Certificate of Com- pentency as Master No. 2519 of Hong Kong, was at fault in that he did not pay sufficient attention, nor draw the obvious conclusions from the bearing he took on White Dog Light South 67° East, which should have shown him. that he was (three quarters) mile to the South and East of his D. R. position.

We therefore judge the aforesaid Mr. G. H. Wilkins and Mr. T. D. Edwards to be severely reprimanded. We find that Mr. John Rennie, Certificate of Compentency as Master No. 041552 of Liverpool, who was Chief Officer of the ship and Officer of the Watch at the time of grounding, did all that he could to avert grounding and we exonerate him of all blame.

Given under our hands at Victoria, in the Colony of Hong Kong, this 26th day of April, 1934.

(Signed)

G. F. HOLE, Comdr.,

Stipendiary Magistrate and President of the Court.

Lieut.-Commdr., R.N., H.M. Dockyard.

""

E. H. C. BRANSON,

F. N. BOOTH,

Master, British S.S. Nanning.

A. D. KELMAN,

Master, British S.S. Hinsang.

F. H. W. GRAYBROOK,

Master, British S.S. Kweiyang,