i instances atmehip Minard Castle was concluded this afternoon (21st inst.) The Court vas composed of Capt. H. G, Thomsett (Harbour Master), Pro-Lieut. Balliston, R.N., Captain W. A. Turpin, Gaelic; and Captain J. P. Hassall, Bangalore The President read the finding, which is as follows 1-—We find that_on the 10th April, 1883, at about 9.15 am., the Brit steamship Afinard Castle, official No. 85, of London, 1,596 tons ro; er, master, Richard Skinner, number of whose certificate of competency is 31,134, struck on asuuken rock 600 yards Exst of the Island of Cheung Chan, in the West Channel, and that the vessel sunk shortly afterwards in 8 fathoms of water, about G00 yards south of that rock.
2.—From a survey made by Lieutenant Belam, of H.MLS. Afagpie, we find the rock marked " Dries at low water " in Admiralty chart No. 1,466, is placed 115 yards N. 66° 41' W, of its proper position, and that a anuken rock with 6 feet on it at low water springs has been found bearing S. 38° 35'E.75 feet from the proper position of the rock marked Dries at low on which the Minard Castle struck,—We find that while the ship was in pilotage waters the master placed the third mate, Mr, Mullen, number of whose certificate of competency is 98,688, (master ordinary) inchargo of the ship at 8.35 a.m., giving a course, but omitting to point out any dangers which the vessel was likely to pass. The master then went below to his breakfast, and returned to the bridge at or about 9.10 a.m. A few minutes aftorwards the ship atruck on the sunken rock referred to.
4.—We find' that the course ordered to be steered by the master before he left the bridge was a prudent one, had there been no set of the tide.
5.—Wo find that the officer loft in charge of the deck showed great want of attention to his duties in not having reported to the master that the ship was being set to the North-west, and that he had altered a course.
—The Court having considered the whole of the circumstances connected with the loss of this ship are of opinion, that the master, Richard Skinner, was not justified in' leaving the deck while the Vessel was in pilolage waters, The Court hereby suspend the cortificate of competency of Richard Skinner, No. 81,184, for a period of nine months and the certificate of competency of John Aullen, 98,688, is suspended for a period of three months. Wo recommend that be furnished with a first ven under our hands at Victoria, Hongkong, this 21at day of April, 1883, Stipendiary Magistrate, &c, Commissioned Officer in the Royal Navy. Joun P. Hassan, Master, British steamer Bangalore, W: A. Torrens, Master, British ateamer Gaelic, China Mait.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.