Argyll - Report of Stranding 1899

(No. 5954.) 

ARGYLL (S.S.). 

FINDING and Order of a Naval Court held at the British Consulate, Kobe, on the twenty-fifth day of September, 1899, to investigate the circumstances attending the stranding of the British steam ship "ARGYLL" of the Port of Leith, and the cause of such stranding, and to inquire into the conduct of the master, first mate and crew of the said vessel. 

The s.s. "Argyll" is a steam vessel, schooner rigged, of 1,886 tons registered tonnage, official number 99,232, built at West Hartlepool in 1892, and belonging to the port of Leith, now lying at anchor in Kobe. It appears from the evidence given before this Court that she sailed from Yokohama on 11th August, 1899, bound for New York, with a general cargo and a crew of 40 hands, all told, with no passengers. 

Whilst at anchor in Kobe Bay on 15th August, 1899, a typhoon arose which caused the stranding of the said ship on the Onohama Beach, Kobe. 

The Court having considered the evidence adduced, finds as follows: 

1. That when William Sinclair Thomson, master of the s.s. "Argyll," official number, 99,232, left the ship on urgent duty on the forenoon of 15th August, 1899, he had no reason to suppose that a typhoon was expected, and, that, on finding bad weather setting in he made every effort that lay in his power to return on board. The Court therefore exonerates him from all blame. 

2. That Hugh Wilson, the first mate of the s.s. "Argyll," official number 99,232, who was left in charge of the said ship on 15th August, 1899, is to blame for the stranding of the said ship in that he did not veer cable on finding bad weather setting in, or when the ship commenced to drag. We are also of opinion that the engines were available for use before the grounding, and should have been used. 

3. That proper discipline appears to have been maintained on board the s.s. "Argyll," official number, 99,232. 

4. The Court is of opinion that it would be a great advantage to shipping generally in the harbour if the weather signals were shown in a more conspicuous manner. 

Order. 
1. That no blame is attributable to William Sinclair Thomson, master of s.s. "Argyll," official number, 99,232. 

2. The Court in pursuance of the powers vested in it by Section 470 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, orders: 
That a copy of the report or a statement of the case upon which the investigation was ordered having been furnished to Hugh Wilson, first mate, s.s. "Argyll,' official number, 99,232, before the commencement of the investigation, his certificate as master, No. 019,056 issued by the Board of Trade, and dated 21st September, 1897, be, for the wrongful default, suspended for the period of three calendar months from this day, and recommends that a certificate of a lower grade be granted to him. 

The expenses of this Court, fixed at £6 9s. 0d., are approved, and are to be charged to the Board of Trade. 

Dated at Kobe, this twenty-fifth day of September, 1899. 

A. C. H. PEARSON, Lieutenant, Royal Navy, President of Court.

A. E. WILEMAN, H.B.M. Vice-Consul at (Kobe) Hiogo. 

GEO. BROWN, Master of the British s.s. "Obra," Official number, 104,628. 

WM. ATTREE, Master of the British s.s. "Saint Irene," Official number, 102,150. 

(Issued in London by the Board of Trade on the 17th day of November 1899.) 

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