Wreck Report for 'America', 1881

(No. 1100.)

"AMERICA" (S.S.)

FINDING of a Naval Court assembled at Her Britannic Majesty's Consulate at Shanghai on the 19th and 20th days of July 1881, to enquire into the stranding and the loss of the steamship "AMERICA," official No. 68,020.

Present:

 

W. R. CARLES, Esq., Her Majesty's Acting Vice-Consul,

President.

 

Lieutenant J. C. ROUGHTON, R.N., H.M.S. "Lapwing,"

 

 

Mr. W. H. JACKSON, master of British steamer "Pechili," J

Members.

The Court, pursuant to an order from Commander W. G. Scott, R.N., of H.M.S. "Lapwing," Senior Naval officer at Shanghai, has inquired into the circumstances attending the loss of the British steamship "America," official No. 68,020, on the 28th day of June last.

The Court finds,—

That about 7.30 p.m. on the 27th June 1881, the steamship "America" ran ashore in a thick fog, probably on an island in the Hydrographer Group.

That there is no evidence to show how, on the course the steamer was following, she could have reached this position.

That after she ran ashore every precaution was taken by the master, William Williams, to save the vessel and bring her back to Shanghai, but that on her way to this port the water gained such way that it was necessary to abandon her in lat. 34° 10', long. 123° 8'.

That the captain, officers, engineers, and crew were taken on board a Chinese junk sailing from Newchwang to Ningpo, on which they remained until the junk fell in with the steamship "Hiroshima Marn," which brought them to Shanghai.

The Court is of opinion that, under the circumstances, the master, William Williams, showed a lack of prudence in hastening to the conclusion that the land sighted at 5.30 p.m. was Ross Island, and in shaping his course accordingly, but that there is not sufficient occasion to reprimand him for the loss of the vessel, as there was no reason to suspect the existence of a strong current or other causes, such as must have affected the course of the steamer.

That the officers and engineers worked steadily to save the vessel, and that after a short-lived panic they were assisted by the crew.

The Court has great pleasure in referring to the assistance rendered by the Chinese junk, the German barque "Minna," and the steamship "Hiroshima Marn."

The Court returns the certificates to the master, officers, and engineer of the steamship "America," with a strong commendation of their conduct after the vessel ran ashore.

Costs of the Court (7l. 4s. 0d.) to be paid by William Williams, late master of the steamship "America."

 

(Signed)

W. R. CARLES, Acting Vice-Consul and President.

 

 

JOHN C. ROUGHTON, Lieutenant R.N., H.M.S. "Lapwing."

 

 

W. H. JACKSON, Master, Str. "Pechili."

L 367. 870. 70.—9/81. Wt. 203. E. & S.