The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1909-03-23

q Captain Stiuson I'M bis tcsti.
mnnv stated that the shin grounded
with her head north 80 degrees west
magnetic. What is the direction " the
harbor line along which you were run.
ringi
A. The harbor line runs about n.
40 degrees west mag.
q. What lights or other aids 10
navigation mark the western side of
Honolulu harbor between the light.
house and the Oahu Railroad wharff
A. Not any.
q About how much Of an error in
your estimated position would cause an
accident similar to the one made in
grounding the Logani
A. About a ships length; say 400
feet
2. Is there light or other aid to
navigation on the end of Kekaunnoa
wharf where the harbor line turns from
northwest to northl
\. No, sir.
/ Additional Testimony.
captain Sanders made the following
additional statement: "In regard TO
the white schooner referred to in nv
testimony, which | thought was lying
NJ one OF the wharves Just below tho
oceanic wharf, | wish to say that there
was no light on her at the time the
snip grounded. Afterwards, | noticed
an anchor light hanging, think, in
her rigging.
captain Stinson corrobofated the tes-
tlmony of Captain Sanders with regard
to the lack of lights on the schooner.
lie also said that there were so many
lghts SHINING on the waterfront that
~ was impossible to measure distance,
the glare OF the lights almost making
IL impossible to make out distinctly
any object. Captain Sanders said that
the captain and all the officers of the
snip complied with his orders; that
the steering gear was in good condi-
tion, and that the helm was used AZ
he directed.
Finding of the Court.
The following is the finding of the
board appointed by Marston Camp
bell:
The board finds that the grounding
of the transport was caused by an
error of Judgment on the part of Pilot
Nj. n. Sanders, who was plotting the
snip into the harbor at the time she
grounded.
After consideration of the testimony
of the witnesses the board believes that
the following extenuating circumstances
existed:
First: The weather. 1t was dark.
thick and rainy; the overhanging clouds
probably increasing the glare of lights
along the waterfront and adding to the
liability of confusion.
Second: The white schooner referred
to showed no lights, and this fact was
doubly misleading because its color
made 1t easily distinguishable; and the
absence of lights on che schooner made
the pilot believe the schooner was along
side n wharf.
Third: a reference to Honolulu har-
Dor chart will show that a vessel of
the Logan s size need overrun her prop
er distance by only 400 feet or less in
order to pass from a position of perfect
safety to one of grave danger.
Fourth: This investigation has called
attention for the first time to serious
defect in the navigational aids in Ho-
nolulu harbor, in the absence of a turn
ing mark on the western side of the
harbor between quarantine wharf and
the railroad wharves.
The board. recommends as a punish
ment adequate to the offense of Pilot
Nj. N. Sanders, suspension from duty
for period of three months; but in
view of the extenuating circumstances
cited, and also in consideration of the
long and able service in this port of
Pilot Sanders, as known to all the mem
bers of this board, we unanimously rec
ommend him to the clemeney of the
converting authority.
While beyond the scope of its inves-
tigation, the board wishes to invite at
tention to the necessity for correcting
the defects referred to in the Lighting
of Honolulu harbor, and recommends
the following changes:
First: Abolish. the green rear range
light and install a green pile light in
the vicinity of Summers Island near
the harbor line.
Second: Install a red light on the
northwestern end of Kekuanaoa wharf
where the eastern harbor line turns to
the north.
The board found no evidence of neg
ligence or incapability on the part Of
the officers of the Logan.
The report was signed by Commander
Moses, Captain Peter johnson, and Cap
tain Willett.