The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-03-20
Additional Testimony.

Captain Sanders made the following
additional statement: In regard to
the white schooner referred to in nv
testimony, which | thought was lying
at one of the wharves just below the
Oceanic wharf, / wish to say that there
was no light on her at the time the
ship grounded. Afterwards, | noticed
an anchor light hanging, L think, in
her rigging.
Captain Stinson corroborated the tes-
timony of Captain Sanders with regard
to the lack of lights on the schooner.
He also said that there were so many
lights shining on the waterfront that
it was impossible to measure distance,
| the glare of the lights almost making
1t impossible to make out distinctly
any object. Captain Sanders said that
! the captain and all the officers of the
ship complied with his orders; that
the steering gear was in good eondi-
ton, and that the helm was used as
! 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
| ship 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
donhly misleading because its color
made it easily distinguishable; and the
/ absence of lights on the schooner made
/ the pilot believe the schooner was along
| side wharf
| Third: A reference to Honolulu har-
| Dor chart will show that vessel of
! the Logan S size need overrun her prop
er distance by only 400 feet or less in
order to pass from 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 turn
| ing mark on the western side of the
| harbor between quarantine wharf and
| the railroad wharves.
The board recommends as punish
ment adequate to the offense of Pilot
| NJ. n. Sanders, suspension from duty
for a 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 clemency of the
convening 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 Sumner Island near
| the harbor line.
! Second: Install 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.