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SOIT

DIE

MON

DROIT.

THE HONGKONG

Government Gazette.

Published by Authority.

No. 46.

VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 7TH NOVEMBER, 1874.

VOL. XX.

No. 179.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

His Excellency SIR ARTHUR EDWARD KENNEDY, K.C.M.G., C.B., Governor and Commander-in- Chief, having returned to the Colony, the acting appointments held during His Excellency's absence under Notifications Nos. 163 and 164 of 15th October last, have ceased.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 6th November, 1874.

No. 176.

J. GARDINER AUSTIN,

Colonial Secretary.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

The following Report of the Marine Court of Inquiry into the loss of the British Steamer White Cloud, Official Number 50,651, is published for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 5th November, 1874.

CECIL C. SMITH,

Acting Colonial Secretary.

FINDING.

1.-We find that the British Steamer White Cloud, Official Number 50,651, broke adrift from a Wharf in the inner Harbor of Macao during a Typhoon which passed over that place on the morning of the 23rd ultimo; and was capsized on a bank nearly a mile to the North of the Wharf where she had been lying.

2.--We find that, although at 6 P.M. of the 22nd ultimo, there was reasonable indication that severe weather was to be expected; the White Cloud was kept alongside the Wharf, to which she had been lashed, without steam being up or the fires laid ready for getting steam.

3. We find that no attempt was made to place the White Cloud in a position of greater safety than the Wharf offered; and although there were two Chinese Pilots on board, they were not con- sulted as to the propriety of moving the vessel to a safe anchorage.

4. We find from the evidence of the Master of the British Steamer Poyang, a vessel lying close to where the White Cloud was moored, that he hauled his vessel from her Wharf into the Stream at 6 P.M.; and that the Poyang, with steam up, safely rode out the Storm.

5.-We are of opinion that the Master and First Mate of the White Cloud displayed gross ignorance and neglect in the management of the vessel entrusted to their care; and, although these Officers hold Certificates of Competency they, in this emergency, shewed themselves unfit to fill the posts which they respectively occupied.