M. B. Brown appeared on behalf of Capt. W. Noon of the Kwangse and Mr. W. E, Awcock, the Chief Officer, respectively, both instructed by the China Coast Officers Guild, whilst the interests of Mr. L. F. Gatret, the Second Officer, were watched by Mr. A. M. Preston acting: instructions from the China Const Officers Guild on behalf of the Mercantile Marine Officers Associntion, The agents of the vessel, Mersrs. Butterfield & Swire, were unrepresented.
The first witness called before the Court was Capt. Noon who stated that he had been nine years fon the China Coast and four years and five months in command of ships, that on leaving Swatow he had set the usual course for Shang hai by Pyramid Pointy that he had left the bridge at 140 am, on the night the collision occurred after giving the 2nd Officer, who was on the bridge with him, verbal instruc tions that he was to be called when the ship should be approaching Ping Rock as he wanted to change the course, He estimated that the approximate time of reaching Ping Rock would be 8.30 a.m, and atter retiring to his quarters the next he knew was when he was called by the Chief Oficer just after 4 o'clock, He forther stated that a he expecting the call from the Secor Officer he had not bothered unde ut was found asleep on the settee tu his room, 4 ficer lying fully dress
Immediately on being called claimed that he was aware of the lateness of the time and ran to the bridge but before he could look at the chart to note the ship's position she struck, Thereupon he signalled the engine room "Full speed astern" then "Stop" and very shortly after fent out wireless messages to all stations. in the vicinity and succeeded in reaching Shanghai, Hongkong and the str, President Jackso The latter replied that she was proceeding with all speed to the Kwangse, gave her speed as 18% nots, and stated her position. From this he calculated that the Pres. Jack: son would not arrive until 1.30 the following afternoon. Early in the morning the Kwangse witelese coated one of the Company's own steamers and after ascertaining that she would arrive quicker than [the President Jackson, the Kwang: master wirelessed the latter explaining the situation and asking that she carry on, Vessel Badly Leaking Capt, Noon stated that immediately after his ship struck the tween deck hatches in the No. 1 hold were sealed and shored up and shortly Jatter the\hatches in No. 2 hold, He was planning an attempt to get away at high tide but early in the morning the No. 2 hold began taking water and he knew it wae useless to attempt withdrawal. Meanwhile all pumps were working and continued throughout the day and he estimated that the inrush was so great that at about 4 sick No. 2 hold contained 16 feet of water, We testified there was a north east sea and moderate wind and that visibility was fair, Asked if he had made any attempts to allay the damage to the ship after she foundered he told of. putting out anchors fore and aft and wires to adjacent rocks with the idea of holding her in position until help should arrive.
Here his counsel, Mr, McDonald
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.