At H. M. Supreme Court last Friday, the hearing was continued of the action in which damages are claimed in connexion with a collision between two vessels outside the Taku Bar on the night of March 16. The owners of the str. Cheng Lee claim Y.19,915 and; $8,775, from the owners of the Nancy Moller in respect of the damage done.
Mr. R. Evans and Mr. E. L. Hartopp appear for plaintiffs, and Mr. H. P. Wilkinson and Mr. 8. H, MeKean for defendants.
The case for plaintiffs closed with evidence by the chief engineer and the second mate of the Cheng Lee, both of whom stated that their vessel was at anchor at the time of the collision.
Mr. Evans intimated that an important witness whom he wished to call was at present sick and unable to attend.
Captain Edward Forsyth, the pilot in charge of the Nancy Moller at the time of the accident, was then called. In answer to Mr. McKean, he stated that on the night in question he went on board at 10.30. The Nancy Moller was then lying northeast of the customs hulk outside the Taku Bar. "He reported to the Captain that he thought they might be able to get under way at 11.30, and at 11.38 they proceeded at full speed towards the entrance buoy. He came in between the Cheng Lee and the Tong Lee, passing the Cheng Lee port side to port side, and being then in a straight line for the entrance buoy. Before reaching the Cheng Lee, witness saw her red navigation lights and drew the Captain's attention to it. He was not surprised to see these lights, knowing that the Cheng Leo was expected to leave at about that time. Approaching the entrance, witness saw 11 ft. of water signal-Jed on the bar and told the captain they would have to turn and wait for 10 or 15 minutes.
His vessel was then about a cable or a cable and a half away from the entrance, and anchored about two cables away from the Cheng Lee, which was lying slightly on the port bow, about ONE and heading E. by N. From this position witness could only see her stern light. Shortly afterwards, whilst on the look out for the tide signals, the chief officer on the foc'sle called out that a steamer was rapidly drifting on top of the Nancy Moller. The }atter was put full speed astern, but it was impossible to avoid the accident. The engines of the Cheng Lee were working, and witness saw the wash of her propellers. Witness hailed the captain and asked him to go ahead. Had he done so, he might
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.