Wreck report for 'Sunning', 1926

FOR OFFICIAL USE.

(No. 7836.)

"SUNNING" (S.S.).

THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT, 1894.

Finding and Order of a Naval Court held at His Britannic Majesty's Consulate General, Shanghai, on Tuesday 23rd March, 1926, to investigate the circumstances attending the stranding of the British steamship "Sunning," of the port of London, official number 139560, when on a voyage from Shanghai to Amoy and Hong Kong on the 14th of March, 1926, at Button Island, and to enquire into the conduct of the master, mates, engineers and crew of the said vessel.

It appears from the evidence given before the Court that the s.s "Sunning" sailed from Shanghai on or about 11 a.m. on 14th of March, 1926, bound for Amoy and Hong Kong.

At about 6 o'clock the master, Captain George Daniel Stoker Mills, left the bridge in charge of the second officer, Mr. Walter Albert Thatcher, giving orders that he was to be called when Button Island was sighted. At about 6.21 p.m. he was told that Button Island was sighted and he came on the bridge for about five minutes, and during these five minutes he altered course to South 18 East, and gave the second officer orders to let him know when Button Island was three miles off and to inform him if the ship experienced any abnormal set. He also pointed out the land on the starboard bow. During the next forty minutes the second officer's attention was principally occupied with watching the movements and bearings of two approaching steamers. He finally fixed the ship's position at about 7 p.m. by Gutzlaff and Bonham Lights, which were almost in a straight line and very unreliable for fixing the ship's position. The land on the starboard hand had faded out of sight and could not be used as a check. By this fix he estimated Button Island to be three miles off and after laying this position off on the chart and looking at an approaching ship he called the master, Captain Mills. The master arrived on the bridge almost at once and, noticing that Button Island was very close, he immediately gave the order hard-a-port, but not in time to prevent the ship from grounding, after swinging about eight points. Engines were then stopped and steps taken to safeguard life. After investigation ship was refloated and anchored, when it was established that she could return to Shanghai in safety under her own steam. She left for Shanghai at 8.30 the next morning and arrived there at 6 p.m. on March 15th, where the extent of the damage was ascertained to be several plates and frames damaged in the double bottom and No. 2 tank top set up.

The Court having regard to the circumstances above stated finds as follows:-

That the accident was due to an error in judgment of speed on the part of the second officer, Mr. Thatcher, inasmuch as he estimated the speed of the ship at 12 knots over the ground, whereas in fact it was nearer 14 knots.

That on losing sight of the land on the starboard hand the second officer failed to notify the master as he should have done.

That in view of the second officer's short experience of these waters, he should have verified his estimation of speed by asking the master.

That in view of the short experience of the second officer in these waters and the difficulty of establishing the position by bearing of lights alone, it would have been wiser for the master to have given a definite time to be called, in addition to the distance, or to have returned to the bridge at such time as he would expect to be three miles from Button Island.

That the master on arrival on the bridge took all possible steps to avert an accident, and that, subsequent to the stranding of the ship, adequate and seamanlike steps and precautions were taken by the master to ensure the safety of life and property.

The expenses of the Court fixed at £6 13s. 3d. are approved.

B. ff. WINGFIELD,

Lieutenant-Commander in His

Majesty's Navy. President.

(Issued by the Board of Trade in London

on Friday, the 18th day of June, 1926.)

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