687571-1879-Marine-Court-of-Enquiry-Steamer-Amoy- — Page 1

826 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 10TH DECEMBER, 1879.

No. 254.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

The following Finding of the Marine Court appointed to enquire into the circumstances attending the collision between the British Steamship Amoy, Official Number 68,490, and the Hongkong Licensed Fishing Junk No. 1545, is published for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 10th December, 1879.

W. H. MARSH,

Colonial Secretary.

FINDING.

We find that the Hongkong Licensed Fishing Junk, No. 1545, owned by Ho Shun Hoi, was run into and capsized by the British Steamship Amoy, Official No. 68,490, GEORGE HERMANN DREWES, Master, between 11 and 12 P.M. of the 2nd October, 1879, while the said vessels were about 20 miles W.S.W. of Chelang point, causing the total loss of the Junk and also the death by drowning of :—

Ho Shun Hoi,

aged 50 years.

Shek Sz,

Ho Shun Tai,..

Ho I,......

Ho Pat,

Chung Shing,.

48

""

""

6

37

99

39

""

4

22

27

""

The Master is entirely exonerated. The Chief Mate, FRANCIS PHILLIP AUBIN, is at fault for not having lowered a boat and gone to the Junk to see if the persons on board required any assistance, but his not having done so is partially accounted for by the fact of there being other Junks round her.

We are of opinion that the Collision is due to want of proper care and skill on the part of Mr. JAMES JOHN SULLIVAN, Second Mate and Officer of the watch, and we therefore adjudge that the Certificate of Competency of JAMES JOHN SULLIVAN, No. 660 of Hongkong, be suspended for a period of three months from this date.

Given under our hands at Hongkong, this 28th day of October, 1879.

C. V. CREAGH,

Acting Police Magistrate.

H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Harbour Master, &c.

H. L. DALRYMPLE,

E. BURNIE,

E. B. BLAKER,

Un-official Justice of the Peace.

Government Marine Surveyor. Master and Commander of the Brit.

Ship "Star of China."

Minute by His Excellency the Governor.

In this case the Court have found that the Hongkong Fishing Junk No. 1,545 was run into and capsized by the British Steamer Amoy on the 2nd of October last, causing the total loss of the Junk and the death by drowning of three Chinese adults and three Chinese children.

2. The Court entirely exonerate the Master of the Steamer, but think the Chief Mate was at fault in not having lowered a boat.

3. The Court have also found that the Collision was due to want of proper care and skill on the part of the Second Mate and Officer of the Watch of the Steamer Amoy, and they adjudge that his Certificate, No. 660 of Hongkong, be suspended for three months.