Wreck report for 'Chief Maquilla', 1928

FOR OFFICIAL USE

(No. 7870.)

"CHIEF MAQUILLA" (S.S.)

THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT, 1894.

FINDING AND ORDER OF A NAVAL COURT.

Finding and Order of a Naval Court held at the British Consulate-General at Yokohama on the twentieth and twenty-first days of December, 1928, to investigate the circumstances attending the foundering of the British steamship" Chief Maquilla" of Hong-kong, official number 140,336, and to inquire into the conduct of the master, officers and crew of the said vessel.

The "Chief Maquilla" was a twin-screw steam (oil-burning) vessel of 6,919 registered tons, official number 140,336, built at Kobe, Japan, in 1917 and belonging to the port of Hong-kong, her owners being The Dollar Steamship Lines, Ltd., of No. 4, Des Voeux Road Central, Victoria, Hong-kong.

It appears from the evidence given before this Court that she sailed from the port of Kildonan, British Columbia, on or about the nineteenth day of November, 1928, with a cargo of 5,625 tons of wheat, 813 tons of fish and 2,724,163 feet of timber in her holds and 474,773 feet of timber and 122,500 feet of timber piling stowed on deck, and with a crew of 75 hands all told and no passengers.

That the said vessel took the Great Circle route from the above-named port, and experienced moderately rough weather from the date of sailing until the twenty-eighth of November, the vessel shipping water from time to time. That about 2 p.m. on the twenty-eighth of November she encountered a fresh gale and rough following sea, the wind increasing to a whole gale force from S.E. by E. That by the force of the wind and sea the vessel acquired a list of 15 degrees or more and took heavy seas amidships continually. That about 11.15 p.m. the starboard gangway door and starboard gig were lost overboard, and at 11.30 p.m. two starboard lifeboats were lost overboard, carrying away the starboard shrouds and wireless aerial: that the wireless aerial was repaired as soon as possible. That at 11.15 p.m. orders were telegraphed by the master to the engine-room to assist the steering as the ship would not answer her helm. That at 11.30 p.m. the master instructed the chief engineer to fill Nos. 4 and 7 port ballast tanks, and that the chief engineer reported that water had entered the engine-room and was already above the plates and that it was impossible to carry out the orders. That by this time the vessel had a heavy list to starboard. That shortly after 11.30 p.m. the lashings on the forward deck load carried away and the deck load was carried overboard, and that the vessel then returned to a more even keel. That about 12.10 a.m. on the twenty-ninth of November the chief engineer reported that the engines were out of use owing to flooding of furnaces, and that at 1.55 a.m. he reported that the furnaces were under water and that pumping was no longer possible. Emergency hand pumps were then used, which failed to cope with the rise of water in the engine-room. That at 12.10 a.m. an S.O.S. for assistance was sent to all ships, which was partially picked up by St. Paul land station. Further distress signals were sent and rockets and blue lights were burned every half hour from 3.30 a.m. That at 8.10 a.m. on the thirtieth of November the Japanese steamship "Yogen Maru" stood by, having received wireless information and having proceeded some 160 miles to her assistance. The steamships "Montreal Maru" and "Somedono Maru" also arrived and proceeded, leaving "Yogen Maru" to render assistance. The "Yogen Maru" stood by and endeavoured to take "Chief Maquilla" in tow, but owing to weather conditions and gradual settling of "Chief Maquilla" this operation was found impracticable and was abandoned. The master decided to abandon the ship about 7 p.m. on the thirtieth November and the crew were transferred, partly in the ship's boats and partly in the boats of the "Yogen Maru," the transfer being completed by 11 p.m. and the master being the last to leave the ship. At the request of the master the "Yogen Maru "stood by until" Chief Maquilla "foundered at 11.22 a.m. on the second December in position approximately 51.38 N. lat., 176.16 W. long.

The Court, having regard to the circumstances above stated, find that the foundering was caused by water entering the engine-room and stokehold, but that, while the evidence before the Court has not clearly established the source of entry, the Court is of opinion that the water entered by cause of the ship labouring and straining in the exceptionally heavy weather and probably starting plates below the water line. The Court further find that the pumps failed to cope with the inrush of water, and that they were working properly until they failed to act owing to the rise of water in the engine-room flooding the furnaces.

That the master appears to have navigated his ship in a seamanlike and proper manner up to the time of the entry of the water into the engine-room, but the Court consider that he should have taken more immediate steps to trace the cause of the entry of the water and that he failed to realise soon enough the gravity of the situation, but that other-wise he did all possible in the circumstances.

That the chief engineer adopted all possible measures to endeavour to keep the water under, that he did all in his power to cope with the situation, and that he was efficiently supported by the engine-room staff in all measures taken.

That proper discipline appears to have been maintained on board and that the crew conducted them-selves properly.

That the cargo, according to the certificate of the Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco, was well and properly stowed and secured. That upon the evidence given the vessel appears to have been seaworthy and well found at the time of her departure from Kildonan, B.C., but the evidence shows that at the time of departure from Kildonan, B.C., the vessel had a list of 5 degrees which was, in the opinion of this Court, not desirable in view of the nature of the voyage and the time of year.

That she had a deck cargo of timber which contributed to the increase of the list and added to the difficulty of handling the vessel in the heavy weather which she encountered, and the Court desire especially to direct the attention of the Board of Trade to the undesirability of permitting heavy and dangerous deck cargo to be carried.

That the Court deprecate the carrying of oil fuel in the deep tank for the ship's consumption during the voyage, as the drawing off of oil for daily consumption leaves many tons of slack tank, constituting a serious menace to the safety of the ship.

That the official log was not produced to the Court, the master having stated that it had been inadvertently left in a drawer, although he had believed it to be in the case containing the ship's papers, which he produced.

That the ship was, on the master's statement, properly supplied with charts, but that these were not saved from the ship.

That the Court desire to direct the attention of the Board of Trade to the meritorious services rendered by the master, officers and crew of the Japanese steamship "Yogen Maru" in proceeding in heavy weather 160 miles to the assistance of the "Chief Maquilla," in standing by from 8.10 a.m., November the thirtieth, to 11.30 a.m., December the second, and in rescuing the crew in heavy weather and transporting them to Yokohama, the voyage occupying 15 days and entailing the rationing of all hands on board. From the statements of the master, officers and crew it appears that they received all possible kindness and courtesy while on board the "Yogen Maru" and that articles of clothing were given to those in need.

The Court, in pursuance of the powers vested in it by Section 483 of 57 and 58 Vict. c. 60, order that the sum of eighteen pounds and four shillings (£18 4s.), being the costs of the proceedings before the said Court, be paid by the master, being one of the parties thereto, and he is hereby ordered to pay the said amount accordingly.

Dated at Yokohama this twenty-first day of December, 1928.

E. HAMILTON HOLMES.

H.B.M. Consul-General,

President of Naval Court.

(Issued by the Board of Trade in London

on Thursday; the 28th day of March, 1929.)

LONDON:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE

To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses:

Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2; 120, George Street, Edinburgh;

York Street, Manchester; 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff;

15, Donegall Square West, Belfast;

or through any Bookseller.

1929

Price 4d. Net.