222
No. 100.
1
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 22ND MAY, 1875.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Report of the Marine Court of Inquiry into the grounding of the British Steamer Viking, Official Number 71,662, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 20th May, 1875.
FINDING.
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
1. We find, that the British Steamer Viking, Official Number 71,662, of Glasgow, 1,685 tons register, while on a voyage from Glasgow and London to Hongkong with about 3,000 tons of Cargo on board, grounded at 2.30 A.M. of the 14th April, 1875, on the East side of the Bombay Shoal in the Paracels Group, China Sea, remaining there about 57 hours; when, after jettisoning about 500 tons of Cargo the vessel floated off the Shoal, and proceeded on her voyage, arriving at Hongkong on the 18th ultimo, with but a small portion of the remaining Cargo damaged. 2.-We find, that shaping a course to pass 20 miles Eastward of the Paracels Group was an error of
judgment.
3. We find, that the evidence shews the Captain left the deck at about 10 P.M. of the 13th, the Chief Officer being at that time Officer of the Watch. There is conflicting evidence as to the perfect clearness of the horizon during the night of the 13th, but it is certain that no attempt was. made to get a star observation, nor was any reference made to the subject when the Master and First Mate consulted the Chart between the hours of 9 and 10 P.M. The Court are of opinion that an effort should have been made to correct the uncertain position of the ship.
4. We find, that the Master, Officers and Crew behaved in a seamanlike and energetic manner to get the ship afloat, and the Court express their approval of their conduct after the vessel had grounded.
After a due consideration of the circumstances, the Court hereby adjudge that the Certificate of Competency of ROBERT STEWART TANNOCK, Number 19,481, be suspended for Three Months from this date.
Given under our hands at Hongkong, this 17th day of May, 1875.
Confirmed,
C. MAY,
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N. H. L. DALRYMPLE, R. H. CAIRNS,
N. W. HASELWOOD,
J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
First Police Magistrate. Ilarbor Master, &c.
Un-Official Justice of the Peace. Government Marine Surveyor.
Commanding P. & O. Steam-
ship "Gwalior."
No. 101.
Administrator and Commander-in-Chief.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Notices to Mariners are published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 20th May, 1875.
NOTICE TO MARINERS.
No. 44.
CHINA SEA,
YANGTSZE RIVER.-SHANGHAI DISTRICT.
1.—Lismore Wreck Light.
CECIL C. SMITH,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Notice is hereby given that a wrought-iron screw-pile Lighthouse will shortly be erected near the Lismore wreck on the port side of the channel at the entrance to the Woosung River.
The illuminating apparatus will be fixed Dioptric, of the Sixth Order, showing a red light visible all round.
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