571578-1930-Marine-Court-of-Enquiry-into-the-circumstances-attending-the-collision-between-the-British-Steamship-Anking-and-the-British-steamship-Tanda — Page 2

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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MARCH 21, 1930.

We find that the Anking, being on a voyage from Hong Kong to Swatow, was on course N. 75 E. True, speed slow at 1.32 a.m. At 1.34 hearing a long blast from a steamer about one point on her port bow she altered course to N. 86 E. (True). At 135 hearing a second blast, the Compass bearing of the fog signal not having altered, engines were stopped. Ship then proceeded to lose her way and to fall off to star- board. At 1.39 am. the lights of the Tanda were sighted about 100 feet 6 points on the Port Bow.

We find that the S.S. Tanda proceeding on a voyage from Moji (Japan) to Hong Kong at 1.20 (local time) on February 26th, 1930, was on a course S. 74 W. True pro- ceeding at four knots having another steamer, name unknown, in position on her star- board beam. Both ships were sounding Regulation fog signals.

CC

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At 1.27 Tanda heard a further fog signal (one long blast) four points on her star- board bow and at 1.35 received Two long blasts from this ship. At 138 Tanda stopped. At 1.38 Starboarded her helm to avoid the ship whose lights had just been sighted on the Starboard bow and which ship from her fog signal was deemed to be stopped and making no way through the water.

At 1.39 a.m. both ships went Full Astern.

At 1.40 a.m. they came into collision.

We are of the opinion that the causes of the collision were as follows:-

(a.) Anking on hearing long blasts in the first instance thought she heard Tanda whereas she actually heard the ship on Tanda's beam. She then rightly ported and had the misfortune to close Tanda.

(b.) When approaching one another both vessels had slight headway causing Anking to strike Tanda on the Starboard bow abreast No. 2 hatch.

(c.) That Anking's headway was such that going astern overcame it just too

late to avoid impact.

We find that both Masters handled their ships with caution and in a seaman like manner and we further compliment the Master of the Tanda for his prompt manoeuvre immediately after the moment of impact.

Given under our hands at Victoria, in the Colony of Hong Kong, this 13th day of March, 1930.

(Signed)

G. F. HOLE,

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Stipendiary Magistrate and President of the Court.

L. G. ADDINGTON,

Lieut.-Comdr., R.N., H.M.S. Tamar.

A. H. STEWART,

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Master, British S.S. Hai Ning.

J. E. LEFEVRE,

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Master, British S.S. Benreoch.

A. M. FRAME,

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Master, British S.S. Taiping.