Sharp—Tam extra second officer on the Empress of India, f have been in the ploy of the Company for two and a-half years, and have held an extra master's certificate since 1897. Tam at present a sub-ant in the R.N. R., and T have been 1 officer in the R.N. R, for ten years. On the night of the collision T was in charge of the watch from 8 to 12. The third officer was also on watch, It was a clear dark night and the stars were shining woul night for seeing lights, T first saw the storm light of the Quanstai at 9.45, with night glasses. She was right ahead, a distance of about mizht miles. At 9.86 red course to 8, G4 W. by compass, We continued on this contre until 1138. Until 20 to 25 minutes slightly on the starboard but never on the Gore the Tight was still practically ahead, yas. About. twenty: nutes before Quangtai broaden out on the starb Bow, When at 11.38 we altered our course to 8. 69 W. true the stern light of the Quangtai was a little over a point on the starhoanl bow. should say' a little over emile away. From the revolutions our speed through the water was 14 knots. estimated the speed of the Quanstai to be from 9 to 1 knots The Captain on the bridge several times during my watch. He came out) to change the course at 11.38. About se" votes afterwards at 11.45 T observed a showing no light between 1 and 2 points on one star-Taard bow, between the courses of the two ships. At that time the position of the Quangiai's stern light was about 3 points on our starboard bow. The junk was about 3} miles away when T first Sighted her. At first I could not see which way'she was healing, and T was uncertain Of ber direction and speed. T therefore gave the order starboard, and that order was carried ow. We starboarded about haifa point. The Captain was not on the bridge at that time. He was in his room and almost immediately afterwards he came out to see what was the matter. [pointed out-the position of the junk, and_ for about minutes we continued la that direction. Then we clearly saw that the junk was going 8.W. and moving very slowly. When I saw all was clear I gave the order
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