140
CHARGES AGAINST SHIP'S
OFFICERS,
MARINE COURT OF INQUIRY.
MATE'S CERTIFICATE SUSPENDED FOR
TWO YEARS,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
What happened at Wongmoon?-He told the pilot not to anchor, and made sneering remarks about me.
P
Did you again order the mate to his room ?- I ordered him half a dozen times.
How long did you remain on the bridge after you anchored ?—I turned in then.
Witness added that the mate followed him to his room and continued to abuse him, saying A Marine Court to inquire into charges of that he would "do" for him. The mate went
in and out from his cabin to the bridge until! misconduct on the part of the master and mate
two o'clock. Then he remained in his of the British steamer Shiu On assembled at
cabin till seven in the morning. They the Harbour Office on Aug. 10. Lieut. Beckwith,
5.30 a.m. left Wongmoon at
At seven R.N., Acting Harbour-Master, presided, and the
o'clock the mate came out and commenced Court was composed of Lieut. Henry Butter- worth, R.N., of the Tamar; Capt P. H. Rolfe, abusing witness, who was on the bridge then.
Did this continued abuso impede you in Master of the British steamer Yuen Sany; Capt. A. R. W. Hodgins, Master of the British your duty as master?-It did not impede me in steamer Haiyang; and Capt. C. V. Lloyd, my duty on the ship.
Master of the British steamer Fatshan.
At the outset the President read the notes of evidence taken by the Marine Magistrate when the hearing of a charge preferred by Alexander Seaton, the master of the steamer, against William James O'Hanlon, the mate, of disorderly. conduct came before the Court. On the strength of this the Harbour-Master applied to the Governor for a Court of Inquiry, and His Excellency's warrant for holding the Court was afterwards read.
Mr. Shenton, from the office of Messrs. Dea- con, Looker and Deacon, appeared for the master, the mate not being legally represented.
In reply to Mr. Shenton, the President indicated that they would proceed with the charges against the mate first.
Mr. Shenton stated that the charges preferred against the mate were disregarding and refusing to obey the lawful orders of the master, drunken- ness while on duty, and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline on board. At present they were only dealing with of the charges of gross misconduct and drunkenness.
Alexander Nelson Seaton, the master of the Shiu On, then went into the witness-box. He stated that he had been thirty-two years at se8, and not once during that period had there been any question as to his conduct. The crew of the Shiu On numbered 50, there being three European officers, the captain, the mate and the chief engineer. On the night of July 19th when on the voyage from Kongmoon to Hongkong there were about 250 passengers on board. They stopped at Wongmoon for the customs examination and left again shortly after five o'clock.
What in your opinion was Hanlon's condition up to that time? He looked as if he had been drinking
The President-Was he flushed? - Yes. What was peculiar about him?—He was very Barcastic.
me.
Very sarcastic-In other words he snubbed
You did not think he was incapable then?—I did not. I was in my room about an hour when we overtook the Shun Lee and I stood in my doorway to see how we would get on.
The President-How get on?-To see that there was no racing neck and neck.
What happened? The pilot slowed down, according to my orders, and let the Shun Lee get ahead. Ir. Hanlon commenced to make sarcastic remarks about the pilot slowing down. Some time later when I came on deck the chief officer used very abusive language towards me.
What did he say -He used all the language in the sailor's vocabulary.
In your opinio what was his condition then? -He was drunk. No man in his senses would use such language to his chief officer.
What was your opinion about his being able to carry on the ship?-I ordered him off the bridge because I did not think he was in a fit condition to take charge.
What did he say then?-He said he would see me in
first. He would not go to his room,
but remained on deck and abused me. About this time did you say anything to the pilot anchoring at Wongmoon-Yes, I gave him orders to anchor there and wait for the upcoming steamer.
Was the mate present?-He was. What did he say?-He still abused me. followed me from one side to the other.
He
1
This continued until you got to Wongmoon? -Yes:
But it annoyed you?—Yes.
What was the condition of this man åt 7 a.m.?-He had sobered up.
What happened when you reached Hong. kong ?-He went ashore immediately the ship
was made fast.
officer to ask your leave before he goes ?—No.
The President-Is it customary for the chief
In reply to Mr. Shenton, witness said that when his duties were done the mate could go ashore. The mate came back about noon under the influence.
看着
He
What made you think so ?-His actions. was creating a disturbance on the wharf.
Examination continued-He come on board and used abusive language to the assistant manager and the compradore. Hanlon became the Harbour Office for protection. He was so threatening after tiffin that witness came to advised to get rid of the mate, to discharge him. Ultimately the mate was removed from the ship by the Water Police.
believe you did, sir.
The President-Who gave the order?-I
The President-Well, I want you to tell me. Examination continued-He was very excited when the Water Police took him away.
It was possible to have drinks brought up to the bridge when on duty there by calling the boy.
By the Court-The steward runs the bar, but that was for the passengers. The officers could have as many drinks as they wished. He had power to stop it, but he did not do so because the mate seemed all right when they left. He had never been abused before.
Capt. Rolfe Is it usual for the officer of the watch to have drinks on the bridge when on watch?-Not when on watch.
Capt. Lloyd-What steps did you take with regard to stopping the chief officer's liquor after you saw his condition at Wongmoon?-I told the boy to let him have no more.
The President Is this officer signed off? Yes. Capt. Hodgins-Was this the first complaint against this officer?—No, sir. '
The President-How long has he been with you?-From 16th June to 20th July.
1
The President How long do you keep your chief officers ?-Year in and year out if they behave themselves.
How long did the last one stay?—Three weeks.
And the previous one?- Two weeks. How is that "year in and year out? -The one before stayed six months.
Where did you get this man?—In the Sailors' Home
Cross-examined by the Chief Officer--He did not read the official log to him on board the ship because he was too abusive.
Does that mean you thought he would hit you ? - Yes.
Witness did not enter it in the log at the time because he thought Hanton would be all right again, and he did not wish to get the mun into trouble.
Could you write your name on July 18th and 19th-I don't understand the question.
The President-Auswer yes or no? - Yes. The Mate-You say you were on the bridge when the Shun Lee passed?--Yes, I did not give any
orders then to slow down as I had pre- viously given instructions to the pilot.
Did you see the typhoon signals up on leaving Kongmoon ?—I did.”
Leaving Hongkong on the 18th, why was the ship: kept waiting half an hour for you?—I told them the time I would sail.
[August 16, 1909.
The President-Did she wait thirty minutes ? -She did not; she sailed at the appointed time. The Mate-Did nobody go up to your house to call you during the afternoon P-Yos, but I could not understand why. I was out then.
What state were you in when you came down on Sunday evening about six p.m. ?-The same as I am now in my ordinary condition.
Had the ship left Hongkong several times without your being on the bridge?
The President That has nothing to do with this case.
on John Barr, engineer the Shiu On said that the mate was on the bridge from 8.30 till they reached Wongmoon. He thought Hanlon was under the influence of drink, but was not incapable. On the voyage from Wongmoon to Hongkong the Captain was sober and gave no provocation to the man to abuse
him.
Capt. Lloyd-Did you hear the mate criticis- ing the action of the master during the time they were at anchor?-No.
The President-Has there been any friction between the master and the mate before this?
No.
Was there any delay in sailing on the 18th July? No.
Did you see the master when he arrived on board that night?—Yes.
Was he sober?--Yes.
Anybody can get drinks on board ?—Yes. Officers and passengers can get liquor at any hour by sending down for it?-Yes."
You say the chief officer was under the influ- ence of liquor when you were at anchor at Wongmoon-Yes.
Would you say he was quite safe to go on the bridge?-Yes.
He was just a bit cheerful, eh ?—Yes.
You would have perfect confidence in turning in when the chief officer was in this state- Yes. He was not sufficiently under the influence of liquor to be untrustworthy.
I take it these boats are largely navigated by the pilot ?-What do you mean?
You have a pilot on board ?—Yes. And he takes charge during the intricate navigation ?-I don't know.
There is a difference between a man taking Would nominal charge and complete charge? you say the chief officer was capable of handling any ship from the bridge point of view ?-Yes.
The Secretary of the Shiu On Company spoke to Hanlon creating a disturbance on the steamer at the wharf on July 2 th, and to call- ing witness a coolie.
He
The pilot on the Shiu On said he saw the mate on the bridge on the occasion stated. was "away from his hands and legs," by which witness meant that the mate was ander the Witness also spoke as to influence of liquor. the master and the mate having a quarrel. The captain told witness to anchor at. Wong- moon and the mate told him to go straight on to Hongkong. Witness said he saw the mate threaten the captain, and heard him speak loudly to the captain. As far as witness knew the master was sober all the voyage.
The quartermaster also testified to seing a quarrel between the master and the mate after leaving Kongmoon. He also declared that the captain was sober during the voyage.
Another Chinese member of the crew said the mate was insolent to the Captain and followed him' about the ship. In his opinion the mate was drunk on that occasion and the captain was sober throughout the voyage.
The mate then gave evidence on his own behalf. He said the Shiu On left Kongmoon at twenty minutes to six, and the Captain did not tome on deck again until they were anchored at Wongmoon.
The President-Have you any reason to suggest why he was not on deck?-He was under the influence of liquor.
No.
Have you got any witnesses to that effect?-
You have no one? - No.
No one to substantiate it ? - No. The President-Do you consider it is any use making a statement you cannot substantiate? I should advise you to withdraw it. There is no object in making a statement you cannot substantiate.
The statement made by witness before the Marine Magistrate was read.
0
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.