714062-1866-GOVERNMENT-NOTIFICATION-NO-168 — Page 2

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 10TH NOVEMBER, 1866.

FINDING.

The Court having considered the evidence adduced conclude:--

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FIRST. That the T. E. Boyd (Official Number 45,716) was lost on the Tortoise Reef near the Pescadores Islands in the Formosa Channel, on the 9th September, 1866, at 4.30 A.M.

SECOND. From the Log Book and Chart produced, shewing the ship's position on Saturday at Noon and the courses steered, it appears that the ship was steering a mid-channel course; we are consequently unable to account for her having got on shore where she did.

THIRD. That no blame is to be attached to the Captain, Officers, or Crew for their conduct subsequent to the wreck of the ship.

The Court adjudicates that the Certificate of the Master be returned.

The Court wishes to express its opinion that the Master cannot be correct in the position given by him as that of the T. E. Boyd at Noon on Saturday, because he does not appear to have experienced any current from the time of taking his departure off Turnabout Island at 4 PM. on Friday until Noon on Saturday, though between then and 4.30 A.M. of Sunday, when the ship struck, she must have been carried 42 miles in an East North Easterly direction, no similar current during the North East Monsoon having been known in the Formosa Channel.

The Court wishes also to express its dissatisfaction with the contradictory evidence given by the Master and Chief Mate with regard to the manner in which the Log Book of the T. E. Boyd was kept, and the place where it was written up after the wreck.

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Given under our hands at Hongkong, this Thirtieth of October, 1866.

(Signed,)

"

"".

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JOHN C. WHYTE, 1st Police Magistrate. H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Harbor Master, &c. ROB. S. WALKER, Justice of the Perce. CHAS. VINCENT, Govt Marine Surveyor. A. OVERBURY, Master Mercantile Marine.

approve the finding, but cannot avoid expressing my regret at the evident error of the Master in the position assigned to the T. E. Boyd at Noon before the wreck, as it throws an unsatisfactory and suspicious character over the occurence which, if undeserved, is very unfortunate.

No. 169.

30th October, 1866.

(Signed,)

RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL,

Governor.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

By Order of His Excellency the GOVERNOR, the following Letter from the Acting Dutch Consul at this Port is published for the information of Mariners, and others whom it may concern.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 10th November, 1866.

W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.

CONSULATE OF THE NETHERLANDS, HONGKONG, November 9th, 1866. SIR-At the request of the Director of Ways and Means, I have the honor to hand you enclosed translation of a notification, referring to the beacon on the Frederick Hendrik rocks.--I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant,

C. H. M. BOSMAN, Acting Consul,

The Honorable W. T. MERCER, Esq.,

Colonial Secretary. Fe., &c., &c.

"TRANSLATION.”

"The Director of Ways and Means makes known, that the Resident of Banca has informed him, that the Herbert's "beacon on the Frederik Hendrik rocks is missing.

"The necessary measures are being taken to replace same."

Batavia, 5th October, 1860."

"The Director of Ways and Means,

(Signed) "C. CASTENS.”