The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-08-24
NOT
TO BLAME
Ounreggan's Master
ExOnerated.
FINDING IN ADMIRALTY
Maritime Court Declares He Used
all Efforts to Save the
Vessel.

captain George McLain Dixon, mas
ter of the British bark Dunreggan.
which went on the reef off Diamond
Head on the sth Of this month, and was
gotten off some hours later. has been
exonerated of all blame for the accident
by an admiralty court which made its
findings yesterday. The court sat at
the British consulate, and was compos-
ed of Consult Robert Hoare, Captain
Corrance of the Kilmory, and Captain
Jackson of the lakewood
The report of the court was as fol-
lows:
The Dunreggan was a sailing vessel,
barque rugged, of 1.447 tons registered
tonnage, official number 1882, built at
Troon in 1892. and belonging to the
Port OF Glasgow.
IL appears from the evidence given
before this Court that the vessel sailed
from Shields and London. leaving the
latter port on the 18th of March, 1900,
bound for Honolulu and Seattle. with
a cargo Of general merchandise and a
crew of twenty-five hands all told.
on the voyage the vessel had eX-
perienced heavy weather at all times,
causing loss of some sails, but nothing
OF serious consequence occurred.
She arrived off koko Head about Il
miles from Honolulu at $50 o'clock on
the morning of the sth OF August, 1900,
and when she was abeam of the Head
/ by four points bearings and patent log
taken by the master. he found his dis
lance from the Head TO be pa miles.
/ At $40 a. IN. he set the vessels course
west magnetic TO pass one mile south
OF Diamond Head. The vessel was then
under top sails and foretopmast and
staysail. About 9:I5 o'clock when the
vessel was noticed to be setting in
shore the master ordered the helmsman
TO keep her off and keep the white
streak (meaning the breakers) over the
ships starboard lighthouse, which
would place the breakers about three
points on the starboard bow. This was
done, but Notwithstanding this the ves-
sci continued TO set further in shore I'M
til at $40 o'clock a. m. she struck on
the reef. She was subsequently car
ried further in some distance, where
she remained about thirty hours, when
she was towed on and taken into the
port of Honolulu. having then about
twenty-five inches Of water in her hold.
Shortly before the ship struck sound
ings were taken by the mate, who
found seven fathoms no bottom. and
Immediately after she struck soundinss
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
cumstances above stated, finds as fol
lows:
That the master having taken bear
ings when abreast OF Koko Head. anC
finding the vessel was pa miles distan
from the Head, acted to the best o
his judgment in having set the cours'
west magnetic, which would take tn
vessel one mile south OF Diamond Head
no a11 rod al
danger.
That the stranding OF the vessel oil
the reef off Diamond Head was due {
strong currents setting in shore in tn
vicinity of the Head, which current
were unknown TO the master. not be
ing marked on his chart, nor mentione
/ in the North Pacific Directory.
That when the vessel was found to
setting in shore the master ordered he
to be headed off, but owing TO the cur
rent on her port bow she did not pa
of in time. and she struck before any
thing further could be done to avoi
the casualty.
ter did everything possible by settin
sails to drive the vessel off the rec
but that his endeavors unfortunatel
proved Intellectual. Dated at Honolulu
this 23d day of August. 1900.
(Signed): w. r. HOARE,
Her Britannia Majestys Consu
President of Naval Court.
THOMAS TORRANCE,
Master Of the British merchant shi
Kilmory OF Glasgow, official nun
Der 10000, member.
. MATTHEW JACKSON.
Master Of the British merchant shi
lakewood of Liverpool, officii
number 1880. member.
-"