June 27, 1908.]
Dollars ($745) in aid of the vote, Observatory, Personal Emoluments, for
items:-
the following
5th Grade Computer, ($480 to $360 by $60
annually)...
1 T
Allowances for night duty to 2 5th Grade
Computers
Tota!...
THE LOSS OF THE "POWAN
OFFICIAL INQUIRY.
$505
11
240
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Witness said he sighted Lantao on the port bow and there was nothing on the starboard bow. They were close in when they sighted Lantao and he did not hear the captain say anything He could not tell what the pilot or the captain said. The ship struck about half a minute after the belm was put hard aport. It WAS grinding noise. The engines were not $745 stopped until at least a minute afterwards. Witness left the bridge to look after the boats as the vessel was making water very hard. It was still raining. He could not see land and he had no idea where they were.
He returned
The official inquiry into the circumstances of the disaster which befel the steamer"
Powan" was opened at the Marine Court on June 23rd before the Hon. Commander Basil Taylor, R.N., and Lieut. Henry Butterworth, R.N., of H.M.8. "Tamar," Captain J. Page, of the 8.8 "Ying Ping," Mr. E. S. Crowe, master of the
8.8.
"Kwong Sai," and Mr. T. A. Mitohell, master of the 'Fook Sang," assessors,
to the bridge and afterwards assisted the crew to lower the boats, but there was no time to do 80.
You and three or four Chinese went on to the bridge when the captain hailed you ?—Yes.
What happened then? We remained there. Mr. E. E. Rodrigues, the chief engineer, stated be remained in the engine room until
just tefore the vessel groundedȚ
Captain Black, master of the "Powan," was the first witness called. He described the events of the fateful night. On the night of the 8th June be left Hongkong for Canton shortly after nine o'clock. The steamer went at half speed until she got clear of the shipping and then the order full speed was given. When he left the wharf he could see for over a mile distant. Some fifteen minutes afterwards he left the bridge to consult the chart and returned as quickly as possible. Rain began to fall when the vessel was off Chung Hue, He consulted the pilot, in whom he had every confidence, with regard to the course and the latter told him they were making for Capsimun Pass. Witness could not see any land at that time, but some minutes later he could see, by the light of the moon, some black objects on the "port bow. At first be thought they were sam- pans as they were often to be seen at that part of the Pass but he found that he was wrong. Immediately he realized the position he ported the helm. The pilot became very excited and when the vessel had turned some two and a half points there was a grinding noise. Thiuk- ing ba could clear the rocks he steered ahead and gave orders to sound the well, The engines were slopped and the chief officer told him there were three and a half feet of water in the fore hold, the en zineer also telling him they were making water very rapidly in the stokehold. He decided to head the steamer at full speed for land on the starboard side of the boat. This was very difficult to do as it would not cant ander the helm alone. In order that he might carry out his purpose he went astern and got a point on the beach towards which to steam. He ordered the boats to be got ready and soon the plates began to buckle both fore and aft, and the engineer told him it was impossible to hoist the boats. He had boat drill once a week. The passengers, none of whom were Europeans, became exoited. Witness signalled for assistance and the steamship
Shum,"
8.8 well 88 some fishing junks immediately came to their aid. Every thing moveable was then thrown overboard and arrangements made for a raft. Many of the passengers were saved by the steamers which were proceding to Canton and by fishing junks.
Kan
Lieut. Butterworth-What was the time between the Fairway Buoy and grounding ?- Twenty-three minutes.
What do you estimate your full speed at -- Ten and a half knots an bour. Continuing. witness said he was not in the habit of slowing down when he could see land,
You are aware that under the new regulations heavy rain is mentioned as a case in which you must slow down ?—Yes.
Was that after you had put on full speed?-- Yes.
Where did you go then?-To my room on deck.
Was it raining then ?—Yes.
You were on the starboard side?—Yes, Could you see any land ?-No, the night was too dark.
When you got to the engine room were the cagines working ?—Yes.
How many minutes did your seз land before you struck P-About three minutes.
Captain Crowe also questioned the witness whose reply could not be heard.
Ahead or astern?- Full speed ahead. Did you keep a register? Yes, but it was lost.
Mr. E M. Evans, second officer of the "Powan," stated that it was raising a little when they left the wharf, otherwise it was a pretty fair night After leaving Fairway Buoy the wind came up from the west.
Which side did the junks pass you ?-On the star board side,
You returned to your course, N. W. W?—Yes,
How long were the engines going full speed ahead ?-About three quarters of an hour.
Then the engines were stopped?—Yes. You left the engine room when the water came in Yes. I also sent the men up on deck.
How long were you in the engine room after you felt the ship bump?-About five or six minutes.
by
The order was given to go full speed again?
-Yes.
had not time to stop them, because I could not Why did you leave the engines going ?-I close the valves; the water was coming in so rapidly.
Mr. Brown, the Chief Officer on the "Powan" said he went round collecting the tickets.
Does not the purser do that? Yes, with the officer on duty.
405
You thought the land looked liked Mawan ?-
Yes.
You did not see anything on your port side? -No.
You were actually at the wheel ?—Yes. Where was number 2 pilot ?—He was below. Was it the practice on the “Powan sharply to the left after passing Chuug Hue? - Yes.
to go
Questioned by Captain Black witness said he looked at the olook when he passed the rock and it was 9.20 p.m. He thought he still had a mile to run before getting into the l'ass,
No. 1 Quirtermaster stated that about a quarter of an hour before the "Powan" struck the rook he left the wheel to fetch the Captain's raincoat. The wind was blowing from the south at the time.
}
Who was at the wheel ?-The first pilot. The lookout man stated he did not see any land after passing the Fairway Buoy.
What was the first thing you reported -he ship struck the rock,
Did you see a junk ?-No.
You mean to tell me you did not report to the captain that there was a junk there ?-No.
You never saw the junk P-No.
You must have been keeping the lookout very baily.
What were you watching ?-Nothing.
You saw nothing at all that night?--I saw the rain.
The inquiry 188 adjourned until to-day morning for the evidence of the second officer who is at present on a voyage to Manila.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on June 23rd at the Board Room. The Hon. Dr. J. M Atkinson (president), presided, and there were also present Hon. Mr. W. Chatham, (Vice President), Hou, Mr. H. W. Slade, Hon. Mr. Irving, Captain Lyons, Messrs. Shelton Hooper, Fung Wa Chun, Lan Chu Pak, and the following officials - Dr. Pearse, (Medical Officer of Health), Dr. Macfarlane, Assistant Medical Officer of Health), and MoI, Messer, (Secretary).
PUBLIC HEALTH AND BUILDINGS BILL.
A reply from the Government forwarding copy of amendments to the Public Health and Buildings Bill was read as follows:-"Sir. With reference to my letter of the 26th ult. I When witness had just finished collectingam directed to forward the enclosed copy of the tickets he felt the ship bump. He could not amendments to the Public Health and Buildings see any lani.
There was not much disturbance Bill which cover several of the points raised. amongst the passengers when the ship went by you. The words referring to consent of aground.
mortgagee in sections 180 and 265 (b) have been or will be omitted.-I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, F. H. MAY."
Then you went to the assistance of the passengers ?-Yes,
Did you see any of the passengers in the water ?--Yes.
How did they get there ?-Many of them jumped into the water themselves.
When the ship sank was the launch still there ?-No it had left.
Did you see anyone left ? No, I think they all left with the launch.
What became of you when the ship sank? -I went on the raft.
Who picked you up?-A samp The sampan took you to the " San Cheung?" Yes
Lieut Butterworth-Are you told to any particular station when the ship is in danger?
I88.
After the adjournment the pilot, was called. He stated that he was on the bridge at the time, and he indicated the course that was set. From the wheel house he could not see anything outside. The course was slightly altered once or twice. It begin to rain soon after they passed a junk near Mawap. Some twenty minutes elapsed and then witness saw a rock on the port bow. He did not see any land on the starboard bow, but when the captain asked bim if the land on the starboard side was Mawan witness replied that he believed it was, although be did not see it.
You did not see it properly P-No, sir.
Did you form any opinion why you were there? The answer of witness was not very clear and when pressed by the President he said he could give no reason why he thought they were near Mawan.
Is that the usual course N.W. by WP-Yes.
W.C.'S IN KOWLOON.
recent
The following reply from the Government was read: Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 9th June, 1908.-Sir, With reference to your letter of the 14th ultimo and to previous cor- respondence on the subject of the decision of the Sanitary Board to allow water closets in certain buildings in Kowloon I am directed to acquaint you for the information of the Board that in view of the importance of the question of the further introduction of the water closets in the Colony aud of the adverse medical and other expert opinion to such introduction, H. E. the Governor has deemed it prudent to amend section 162 of Ordinance 1 of 1903 by the insertion of the words "
and the consent of the Governor-in-
Council" after the words "without the per- mission of the Board."—I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, F. H. MAY."
Mr. SHELTON HOOPER-Sir I think that individual members of this board would be
wanting in self-respect if they allowed this letter to pass this board without comment. After reading the letter Mr. HOOPER proceeded -It is well that his Excellency should know the history of the action of the Sanitary Board in this matter. An application was made for a water closet in a house in Kowloon. That was the first-applications not having become general. The Board said they would like to go into the whole question sad be advised
од the principle 88 to
whe- ther we should have thoni or not.
A com- mittee was formed composed of the Hon. Director of Public Works, myself, and the
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