Before further evidence was taken, the President announced that the Court was dealing only with the circumstances of the collision in respect of the British ship Moon-thine. The action of the Court, he continued, was very limited, but all relevant facts would be considered.
Replying to Mr. Sheldon, for the Leung Kwong, his Worship announced that any action arising from the finding of the Court wai independent. The question of of life by negligence did not come within the jurisdiction of the Court.
Mr. Sheldon expressed himself as satisfied on this point.
Mr, G. K, Hall Bruton questioned the President, on this subject also, If, he said, the Leung Kwong was absolved from blame, the loss of life could nat be considered, but if the ship-was found responsible, then it must certainly come in, Evidence to the present had been only on the matter of a collision without loss.
The question of a master's ticket wa: involved, and the loss. would therefore have to be considered.
The President, replying, stated that the scope of the Court did not include consideration of the eertifcate of competency of the master the Leung Kwong. This, if thought necessary, would be the subject of further Court, called to deal with the actions of a British master of! 4 foreign ship.
Leung Kwong Quartermaster Tam Ko, the quartermaster of the Leung Kwong, wes called in. the absence of the pilot, whom the Cour wished to recall.
Witness stated that he was-in the wheelhouse on the evening of the! crew was not, counsel contended. collision. The ship passed the white Gapsuimun light. about 13. ship's! lengths away. The Moonshine was first sighted when the white light, tne was abeam, in a position close to the Red Cupsuimun Light on the North bank. The Moonshine's green light was to the left of the Red! Light on the shore, and was seen to the right of the Red Light.
After the White Light was passed, witness heard his own ship sound! two blasts, but these, so far as he Knew, were not answered by th Moonshine.
The Leung Kwong's! course was altered a little towards the South bank, and two blasts were again sounded. "On this occasion the Moonshine replied with two blasts, and course was again altered towards the South bank. The red light of] the Moonshine was first seen only for a short time before the collision.
Cross-examined by Mr. Bennett, witness stated that he had been a coxswain for two years, and had been in the Leung Kwong about two months, On the night of the collision, he was not steering by compass, but} received all orders to alter course from the pilot. Witness said duties included keeping a lookout from the wheel house, which was endes From the Fairway it was usual to steer a course direct for the White Light, he added, but later! amended this' to "direct for the Red Light."
Light-Keeper Called Lam Po, the light-keeper at! Capsuinvan, stated that on the night of the collision, the Leung Kwong' had passed his station at correct navigational distance, but he had paid much attention to her and did) not know what lights she was earrying at the time. His view of subsequent events was obstructed.
Li Yat Po, the assistant com pradore of the. Leung Kwong, appeared in place of the compradore, who was not on board at the time, of the collision.
Witness was ynable to say definitely how many passengers were board, as the tickets for steerage Passengers had not been taken out, There were six foreign saloon, 11. or 12 Chinese cabin, 30 second class, and probably about 80 steerage.
Lo Tai, the pilot of the Leung Kwong, recalled, stated that he al ways navigated the Capsuimun channel according to the rule of the were invariably junks on the other side of the channel when the tide! was ebbing, but they used both sides! of the channel. With the tide against them, they tacked to andj fro across the Pass.
Sound Signals Mr. Sheldon requested the Court' permission to ro-call the coxswain of the Moonshine, specifically to question him on the point of sound] signals by the Leong Kwong.
Li Hun, re-called, stated in reply to questions put by the Presi dent, that he heard a signal of two! Blasts on one occasion only, this being made after the Moonshine's signal.
Mr. Sheldon, addressing the Court, admitted that the collision had takea place to the South side of the Chan-_ nel, but the point of contention was) that the Moonshine had been in Ma Wan Bay when the Leung Kwong! entered the South part of the ciannel, showing only her green light.
According to the evidence of the coxswain of the Moonshine, he had} been steering towards Point 25, Proving that he must have been en the Northern side, and the pilot and quartermaster of the Leung Kwong remained unshaken on this point.
Tt appeared then that the Moonshine was crossing over to her right, side of the channel ahead, and the Leung Kwong altered to port.! According to distances given by all!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.