Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1911-06-27
CAPTAIN GAUKROGER DID
NOT ESCAPE SCOT FREE
Pacific Mail S. S. Asia Disaster Found Due to Careessness
Of Third officer Johnson, Who Is Believed to Have Failed
to Keep Proper Lookout-Tenyo Maru In From San
Francsco-LurIine Brought Tourists and Mules
Malna Kea Departs With Over Two Hundred Passengers

The fate of Captain Harry Gau-
kroger, who was well liked by those
who have to do with shipping at the
port of Honolulu was a matter of
much interest Judging from the in
duiries launched at the officers In the
Togo Kisen Kaisha liner Tenyo Ma
ru, Immediately upon arrival of the
big japanese vessel from San Fran
cisco this morning.
While master Of the Pacific Mail
steamer Asia, Captain Gaukroger
made host Of friends here as well
as elsewhere.
The little British skipper has been
before Board OF Inquiry at San
Francisco which had TO do with seek
ing a cause for the stranding of the
Asia on Finger Rock. The board
completed its findings at the time Of
sailing of the Tenyo Maru for Homo
lulu. II has placed the responsibility
for the disaster on the failure Of Third
Oficer johnson to keep proper
lookout. The board found that the
weather was clear shortly before the
Asia struck and that Johnson should
have seen Tai Shan island. where
Finger rock is located, as the island
rises $50 feet above sea level
Captain Harry GaukrOger did not
escape scot free. The board held that
he made an error Of judgment In
steering so fine n course In a locality
so dangerous without being on the
bridge himself. The board also
strongly condemned the watch sys-
TEN in vogue on the Asia and as n
result OF this condemnation the IN
derwriters probably will insist on IA
change.
Consul General Walter r. Hearn
presided at the inquiry and with him
on the board were Captain X. Nc
Kenzie of the British steamer Strath-
beg and Captain Vincent Harper,
master of the British steamer Bow
eric. Captain Howe of the British
steamer Horribly Castle was TO have
been on the board but the receipt OF
sailing orders prevented.
The investigation was in private
but at the close of the hearing the
board made public its findings, which
will be forwarded to the board Of
trade in London. The findings were
as follows:
That Captain Gaukroger made an
error of judgment In steering such a
fine course without being on the
bridge himself, in view of the fact
that the locality was dangerous and
the officer on watch a man of little
experience, holding only second
mates papers.
The board found that Captain eau
kroger did everything In his power To
save life and property and that he
was entitled to special commentator
for so handling matters that no lives
were lost.
The board found that proper
lookout was not kept during the
morning watch of April % by the
third officer on the bridge: that he
paid little attention to the ships
course. and that up to o'clock the
weather was clear. and at that time
Tai Shan island. which Is $50 feet
high, should have been seen by him
Chief Officer J. j. Hill and Second
Oficer Thomas were absolyed of all
blame. The findings concluded:
"The court strongly condemns the
watch system in vogue on this ship,
and II the first officer had been on the
morning watch, as Il Is the custom on
British ships, the accident probably
would have been averted."
Windjsmmers Race In Steamer Time,
SAN pEDRo-With the arrival last
night OF the schooner Fearless, Cap
tain Liljquist. and this morning OF the
Alert, Captain Hansen, out eight aud
nine days, respectively, from Belling-
ham, an exciting race between the
two windiammers down the coast was
concluded, with the laurels won by