Hongkong, 15th May, 1872. Before the Hon. H. J. Bart, Judge, and Gepte. "Hewierr, BIN., and Basser, M,, Aasessors.
The Ava, Cross-actions for Damages The Rona, Sor Collision.
Mr, Davatwoxp, who was instructed by Mr. Francis, opened the case on behalf of the ona, merely mentioning that that steamer was on her voyage down the coast, when on the 14th Aprillast, at about a quarter to eight p.m., she was run into by the Ava, and sank in 40 minutes.
The Actixe Quzes's-ApvocaTR, who was instructed by Messrs, Caldwell and Brereton appeared on behalf of the owners of the Ava.
fe thought it might be desirable that he should state the case of the Ava briefly, before the evidence was called. The Avw was carrying the French mails from Hongkong to Shanghai, and was at 20 minutes to eight (or alittle before) about 20 miles N.E. of Ocksen, and five miles off the land. Tt was a dark, but clear night; the wind was N.N.E., ea heavy. They distinguished two Points on the port bow, and or 5 miles distant, a cloud, which approached the Ava. The officer of the watch thought at first that it was rain, but shortly afterwards he smelt smoke, and put the helm to port, the effect being to bring the cloud still moreton the port of the ea. Subsequently a bright light sppeared from the cloud, about 1,500 yards off, and this was known to be the bright light of a steamer, the officer of the watch immediately put the helm hard-a-port. The other steamer appeared to be running before the wind, sailing in her own smoke, her sails holding the smoke, and the smoke and sails concealing the side-lights, Some time afterwards a green ight was seen, and the steamer was soon desenibing a segment of a circle under a.starboard. helm. The Ava's officer ordered the engines to stop and reverse full speed, and the Zona came into collision with the Ava's port side near the stem. The Rona sank afterwards, under circumstances wh would. be detailed in the evidence, H. A. Maclsxes, sworn, stated—I was Captain of the str. Rona, and had been in command of her about two months, I had been trading on the China coast for about. six years. I joined the Glengyle as third. officer, and was chief-officer when I left her. The crow of the Rona consisted of 14 Ningpo seamen, 2 Manila, and 2 Malay quarterniasters, first, second, and third officers, one steward, one cook, one baker, two saloon-boys, one saloon topaz; chief, second, third, and fourth engineers, 21 firemen, 4 compradores, and 10 stevedores. There were also a few cooks and boys not on the articles, and not paid Ly the ship, two Buropean passengers, one European Pilot, and about 22 oF. 23 Chinese passengers The tonnage of the Rona was 784, the engines, T believe, 150 horse-power; the ship was built of iron, and about 9 or 10 years old; paddle-wheel,'two masts, draught leaving Shanghai 13 feet 6 inches." The wheel is right amidships, on the bridge between the two paddle Vexes. There were also on the bridge a signal-box, a binnacle with two compasses, and two of four hen-coops. The bridge was 1G or 18 foet fore and aft, and about 38 fect between paddle-box and paddle-box, The platform of the bridge was about 8 or 9 feet low the top of the paddle-box. There were three ladders from the main deck to the bridge, on the starboard side aft, and two amid: ships, one on each side. The bridge was about Sect above the main-deck. There was a ladder from the bridge to the top of each paddies box. The signal-box was about 6 feet long and feet broad, containing all the flags, The en-ne room skylight was right under the bridge, Communication from the bridge to the engiuieroom was effected by means of a gong and jingle-bell. The breadth of the paddle-box where the platform of the bridge met it was about 18 feet. The platform projected a little beyond the paddle-box forward. We hada cargo of rice, cotton, and sundries,—about 10,000 piculs of rice. It was not quite a fall cargo. The Rona was the property of the Union Steam Navigation Company, Shanghai, and sailed under the British flag. We left us out of Shanghai. had a dense fog for hai on the 11th April The pilot tok the first day or two. It continued very thick until we sighted Tung-yang, on Sunday morning the 14th, The weather was fine. We passed many fishing-junks with lights dori Bie three nights before Sunday. The ouster was, when a light was sighted, to give one blow on the steam-Wwhistle. "This was given by the officer of the watch on the bridge, and was for the purpose of giving me notice. That whistle had been used regularly on the three nights whenever a light was visible. I came down by soundings (in about 36 to 38 fathoms) in consequence of the dense fog. We sighted Tung-yang at 10 or 1 am. on Sunday. The
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.