Naval Court of Inquiry in Shanghai: Evidence of the Officers on Board The loss of the I.-C.S. Koonshing, which went ashore at the eastern entrance to Weihaiwei on the morning of October 31, was the subject of investigation by a Naval Court of Inquiry held at H. M. Police Court on Thursday. Lieut.-Commander Keith Adam, of H.M.S. Gnat, was President of the Court, assisted by Mr. S. Wyatt Smith, Shipping Vice-Consul, Captain Houghton, of the Glaucus, and Captain Monkman, of the C.N.S, Soochow.
Mr. H. Rrowett appeared on behalf of Cantain W. Brewer, master of the Koonshing.
The first witness called was W. J'. McAllan, second officer of the Koonshing. He stated that he held a first mate's certificate and had made six voyages from Shanghai to Tientsin. The Koonshing left Shanghai on October 29, and at midnight on the 30th witness was on watch on the bridge.
Witness gave details of the course which he took, and wear on to say that at 3.45 he took a cross bearing from the Chao-pei-tsui light and the Flag Staff Point light, and later found that he had taken the wrong bearing. The Captain came upland looked at the chart, but the Tights were obscure then and he was given a wrong impression. The Chief Officer came on the bridge at 4 o'clock and, upon witness pointing out the position, he observed that there was something wrong with it. He went away immediately to the foc'sle head. Tnstead of going over the bearing again, witness wrote up the log book and went on the bridge ut Seven minutes past four. He had just walked half way along the Geck when the vessel struck. Upon instructions from the Captain, witness went to look after the boats, and on going back to the bridge he had another look at the beating and saw that it was all wrong. The weather was overcast and squally, with the wind increasing in force.
Asked why he thought the yesso! went so far north as to strike the Huanlok rocks, witness said there was an unusual northerly set. Owing to her superstructure, the
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