An official inquiry into the cireumstances of the disaster which betel the steamer Powan was opened at the Marine Court, Hongkong, on Jane 24, before Commander the Hon. Basil ud Lieut. Henry But H. M. 8, Tamar, Page. of the str. Ying Ping; Mr. E. 8. Crowe, master of the str. Kwong Sai, and Mr. T. A. Mitchell, master of the str. Took Sang, assessors.
The most important evidence was given by Captain Black, master of the Powan, who described what occurred fon the night of the wreck, June 8. He left Hongkong for Canton shortly after nine o'clock. The steamer went. at half speed until she got clear of the shipping and then the order fall speed was given. When he left the wharf he could see for over a mile distant. Some fifteen minutes afterwards he left the bridge to consult the chart and retarned as quickly as possible. Rain began to fall when the vessel was off Chung Hue. He consulted the pilot, in whom he had every confidence, with regard to the course and the latter told hit they were making for Capsimun Pass. Witness could not see any land at that time, hut some minutes Inter he could see, by the light of the monn, some black objects on the port how. At first he thought they were sampans as they were often to be seen at that part of the Pass but he teand that he was wrong. Immediately he realized the position he ported the helm. The pilot became very excited and when the vessel had turned some two and a half points there wax a grinding noise. Thinking he could clear the rocks he steered ahead and gave orders to sound the well. The engines were stopped and the chief officer told him there were three and a half feet of water in the fore hold, the engineer also telling him they were making water very rapidly in the stokehold. He decided to head the steamer at fall speed for land on the starboard side of the boat. This was very difficult to do as it would not cant ander the hein In order that he might carry out his parpose he went astern and got a point lon the beach towards which to steam. He ordered the boats to be got ready fand soon the plates began to buckle both fore and aft, and the engineer told him it was impossible to hoist the boats. He had boat drill once week. The passengers, none of whom were Euro-Peans, became excited. Witness signalled for assistance and the steam-Kan Sham, as well as sone fishing junks immediately came to their sid. "Everything moveable was then thrown overboard and arrangements made for a raft. Many of the passengers were saved by the steamers which were proceeding to Canton and by fishing jucks.
Alter hearing: the evidence of Lieut. Butterworth and the pilot, the hearing was adjourned until Saturday last in 37 order to obtain the evidence of the second officer who was on a voyage to Manila.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.