ere, " KIANG-CHANG."
Shanghai, 16th Feb., 1878. Before G. B, Grover, Esq., Commissioner of Customs, President.
Captain A.M. Brsoxe, Harbour Master of Lieut. G. J. Wruxrss, U.S. gun-vessel Ashiuelot, Nautical Captain 0., Srowons, ate. (Assrors long-foo, Finding of the Court, fally considered and weighed all the ought before us, we are of opinion that the steamer Kiang-chang was lost on the Porpoise Rock on the morning of the 4th February, 1878, owing to two errors of judg-mont on the part of Pilot B. P. Clough; first, in hauling off the starboard bank of the River too soon; and secondly, and backing the steamer when, by bisown evidence, he was in such a narrow place that there was room to cant her safely as ho was trying to do, Wo are of opinion that no Hame attaches to Captain Friend in any degree, the whole idence tending to slow that with a com-tent Pilot on board, it is not necessary for pptains to be on deck when passing that or other particular part of the river in clear weather.
Much stress has been laid on the change in the lead of the steering gear, and the temporary character of thr arrangement of the block on theportaide, We are of opinion that although is possible that the Kiang-charly steered more assily with the ch attached to the post on the after-and of the rudder, (as was done from time she commenced running until two was lost,) and that the change
intended by the builder of the steamer) may fo the tiller pointing forward (the ars have caused a little additional difficulty moving the helm, that this difficulty could in no way have contributed to the loss of the steamer; and that the snatch-block on tthe port quarter, and the whole of the
slthongh of a temporary nature, was strong ing gear ae arranged at the time of ber lo enough and in every way qualified to do the work required of We consider that the Pilot was justified in not calling the Captain whea about to pass the place where the wreck occurred, his own and of! ty to other excep: tional circumstances rendered the passage than usually difficult, which does not appear to have been the case on the preseat occasion, (Gigued) Geo, B. Grover, Commissioner of Customs, Guo, J. Witxrss,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.