The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1900-08-24
DIXON NOT TO BLAME.

c,ntain George McLain Dixon mas
for of the British bark DunreBB"h
which went on the reef of DlahlohN
Head ON the sth of this month, and was
,otten off some hours later, has beer
exonerated of all blame for the aeciueii'
nv an admiralty court which maze ''a
findings yesterday. The court sat ~
the British consulate, and was compos-
cd of Consult Robert Hoare, captain
Corrance of the <ilmory, and captain
Jackson of the lakewood.
The report of the court was as ioi-
lows:
The Dunreggan was a sailing vessei,
baroue rugged, of LAY tons reglstereu
tonnage. official number 99S62, punt ~
Troon in 1892, and belonging TO 'he
Port OF Glasgow.
n appears from the evidence given
hefore this Court that the vessel saiieu
from Shields and London, leaving 1me
latter port on the 18th or March' l,Vv,
ound for Honolulu and Seattle, WIN
a cargo of general merchandise ana d
crew of twenty-five hands all told.
ON the voyage the vessel had ex-
narienced heavy weather at all times,
Sousinr loss of some sails, but nothing
of serious consequence occurred. 90
She arrived off Koko Head ABOUT :.
miles from Honolulu at S:5o O'CLOCK o on
the morning of the sth oil Ausus'' isov,
and when she was abeam oil the Hea1
NV four points bearings and patent LOB
taken by the master, he found ms uis-
lance from the Head TO be "a mlles.
At $40 q. m he set the vessels course
west magnetic to pass one nliie soutl'
of diamond Head. The vessel was then
under top sails and foretopmast anu
O'Clock
vessel was noticed TO be setting IN
shore the master ordered the helmsmah
to keep her off and keep the Whi'e
streak (meaning the breakers) over the
ships starboard lighthouse, Whlch
would place the breakers about three
noints on the starboard bow. This was
done, but notwithstanding TINS the yes
sci continued to set further in shore uh-
iii at $40 o'clock a. m. she struck on
tbe reef. She was subsequently car
ried further in some distance, Where
she remained about thirty hours, Wheh
she was towed off and taken into the
mort of Honolulu, having then about
twenty-tvo inches of water in her hold.
Shortly before the ship struck sound
incs were taken by the mate VINO
found seven fathums no bottom, ana
Immediately after she struck sounalngs
were again taken and four fathoms al
round the ship, the ship being TO al
appearances hung amidships.
The Court having regard TO the CIR
clmstances above stated, finds as fol-
lows.
That the master having taken bear
ines when abreast of Koko Head and
finding the vessel was 2A miles distant
from the Head, acted to the best or
his judgment In having set the course
west magnetic, which would take the
vessel one mile south of Diamond Head,
which distance would have cleared all
danger.
That the stranding of the vessel on
the reef off Diamond Head was due to
strong currents setting in shore In the
vicinity of the Head, which currents
were unknown to the master, not be-
ing marked on his chart, nor mentioned
In the North Pacific Directory.
That when the vessel was found to be
setting I'm shore the master ordered her
10 be headed off. but owing to the cur
rent on her port bow she did not pay
off In time. and she struck before any
thing further could be done to avoid ,
the casualty.
That after the vessel struck the mas
ter did everything possible by setting |
sails to drive the vessel off the reef, |
but that his endeavors unfortunately |
proved Intellectual. Dated at Honolulu, .
this 23d day Of August, 1900.
(signed): w. r. IIOARE,
Her Britannia Majesty's Consul, !
President of Naval Court
THOMAS CORRANCE,
Master Of the British merchant ship
Filmory of Glasgow, official num-
Der 10000. member.
MATTHEW JACKSON
Master of the British merchant ship ,
lakewood of Liverpool, official
number 1880, member.
- e.