Hongkong, 2st April, 1870.
The following decision has been given, by a Marine Court of Inquiry into the loss of the British barque Renown on the Southernmost Island (Augores) of the Pellew Island Group.
The Court having considered the evidence adduced concluded First.—That the British barque Renown, official number 28,750, 440.35 tons, was total: ly wrecked on the Southernmost Island (An-sores) of the Pellew Island Group, on the 10th February, 1870.
Second.—The course steered by the master from noon of the previous day, when good observations were obtained, was an improper one, as leading the ship far too near to an Island in: completely surveyed, and where the currents are known to be uncertain.
Third.—We find that the ship was deficient of persons competent to take charge of the watches, the crew consisting of the Master, one Mate, one acting Boatswain, one Carpenter and nine others; the consequence of which was that the Master and Mate had to keep alternate watches, an arrangement much to be deprecated.
Fourth.—The Master was in charge of the watch during which the vessel was lost, and that he was asleep, and did not exert himself to ascertain whether a dark-looking place, which was reported to him half an hour before she struck, as being ahead, was land or not.
The Court, therefore, adjudges that the Certificate of Competency No. 16,040 held by George Edward Adams, late Master of the i Kenoten, be suspended for six mouths. The Court cannot separate without expressing its opinion that it would be wiser if those con-"nected with Insurance Companies discountenancedinsuring Cargoes or Vessels c: camstanced as the Renown was as to her Officers.
May, let Police Magistrate.
LIG. Tuonsers, rx. Harbor Marter, &e.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.