The Peking-Fushwn Collision, The hearing of the arbitration in connection with the collision between the king wud the Fushun was continued today before Mr. N. J. Hannen, sitting as Arbitrator, The parties were represented as on the previous occasion, Mr. Stokes appearing for the owners of the Peking, and Mr, W. V. Drummond for the owners of the Fushun, whiler Mr. C. Dowdall watched the case on behalf of the Union Insurance Svciety of Canton.
Upon the Arbitrator taking his seat, Berne Stroetzel, Chief Engineer of the Peking, was called. He said the Peking came to anchor on 6th May at about half: past four, and the fires were then banked, At that time there wasa thick fog. Witness was on deck when the ship anchored and remained until the collision. The fog bell was kept ringing from the time the vessel anchored, at intervals of about twenty seconds, Whilst they were at anchor he lueatd the short blasts of a whistle which he thought came from a fishing bout, After time he heard another whistle which he knew came fromasteamer, He was standing on the starboard side, when he noticed Ateanwer. Then he saw the bows of the the water being thrown up ws if by a
Fushwn, which ut that time was about 1 feot,—ttom three to four ships' lengths away. She was on the starboard side at an angle of about 70 degrees with the bows of the Peking. She was coming on at the rate of from nine to ten knots an hour. He knew the Fushun and would call that her half speed." She came on and he heard Captain Schultz cry vut starboard your helm." He thought at first she would clear, But the Fushun came on and cut into the Peking for some five or six foet. After that Captain Schultz asked Captain Crvad to keep a little way on whilst the officers and crew clambered on to the Stokes—Do. you remember you were on the Jushin a conversation taking place in the saloon Witness—Yes.
Me. Stokes—'Tell us about it, please.
Witness—I was in the cabin with Capt Schultz, Captain Croad, and some others. Captain Croad said, 'Tam very sorry for you, Lknow Tam to blame, I wae rather let in for it.'
Mr. Stokes: Was there more couversation than that Witness—He said his office wanted him to make quick passages.
Mr. Stokes—Do you remember the engineers of the Fushun speaking with you?
Witness—Yes; the Chief Engineer and Mate spoke to me about "driving" the ship. He said that on the last voyage they were "driving" her, Mr. Stokes—Was that the same day or after?
Witness—Ido not remember which.
Cross-examined by Mr. Drummond—He had been at sea as an engineer since 1875. On the day of the collision he went off duty at non, He had been running on the China coast for 12 yours. He was not familiar with the various sounds made
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