Hongkong, July 12.
The jury has returned a verdict of manslaughter against the pilot of the str. Leung Kwong, who is to be changed: It will be recalled that the steam launch Moonshine and the str. Leung Kwong collided in Capsuimun Pass, in which the latter was sunk and more than 100 persons were drowned.
The following are extracts of the [finding of the jury:—"After a review of the evidence that has come before us, we find that "FEA, Martin (Chief Officer) and. many others unknown met their death through drowning ass result of a collision between the steam Munch Moonshine and the Leung Kwong, which took place in the Capsuimun Pass on the night of May 9, 1927, and whereby the latter vessel was sunk, We attribute the collision to the im: proper navigation of the str. Leung Kwong, which navigation, in four opinion as laymen, was faulty to the point of being grossly negligent, Our verdict is one of manslaughter against the Chinese pilot, whom we find as a fact, to have been in sole charge of the ship's navigation at the materia time, "In view of the heavy toll of lives resulting from the collision, we feel it incumbent on us to make the following comments, which we wish to have placed on record:—The expert evidence advises us that a Master should be on the bridge while his vessel is passing through the marrow and dangerous waters of the Capsuimun Pass, and yet, on his own admission, the Master of the str. Leung Kwong handed over to the late Chief Officer before tering the Pass, We do not consider that a man of the age of the Master in question should be in command of a pas-Senger steamer and responsible for the care of more than 600 lives. From his own evidence, it is apparent that he took so little interest in his job that he had not troubled to acquaint himself with, the Piracy Prevention Regulation of 1924; in fact, he admitted that he did not even know that any revision had been made till the advent of this, inguiry.
The jury also found that the lifesaving appliances on board were inadequate, "The expert evidence called state ed most definitely that the custom of locking grilles over the hatchway: leading from the steerage to the main deck is a highly dangerous one and constitutes ¢ grave menace to life in the event of accident," the 1 finding. continued, "Seeing that all necessity for- these grilles was obviated by the Revised Piracy Regulations of 1924, we fail entirely, to understand why' the" Harbour authorities did not immediately: take faction and circularize owners of, river steamers to the effect that the grilles in question must be removed, 'There is no doubt in our minds' but that, in this particular case, such a grille contributed very greatly to the loss of life and that the life-saving appliances were useless to passengers in the steerage who, caught like rats in a trap, were unable to get them, We strongly recommend that prompt steps taken to correct this serious omission."
The Coroner (Mr, R.E, Lindsell) said that he agreed with the verdict and comments of the jury and that a warrant would be duly istled for the arrest of the pilot of the L Pi oung Pexing, July 16—Following a meeting of the Cabin mandate vas issued diomissi Chief Justice, Mr. Shen Chi pes Princg clutched Leslie's legs and dagged him under but Leslie managed to get free and, rising to the surface, seized Prince by the hair. Unfortunately, a strong current whirled Prince down and he sank before further assistance was possible.
The deceased: was. a native
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.