["Marine Board", The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 08 October 1885, page 5]
MARINE BOARD.
On Tuesday afternoon and yesterday morning the Marine Board held an inquiry into the circumstances connected with the collision between the steamers Meeinderry and Timor, which took place in Port Jackson on Friday night last. There were present:--Captains Hixson (president), Broomfield (vice-president), Jenkins, Robortson, Moodie, and McLean, Commander Lindeman (sec.)
Geo. Willis, captain of the Timor, stated that at the time of the collision he was coming into Sydney from Newcastle. The weather was fine, and it was a clear starlight night; as the Timor was going round Miller's Point the green and head lights of an approaching steamer were seen a point and a half on the starboard bow; tho pilot ordered the helm to bo starboarded, and then the red light of the other steamer was seen; tho Timor then went full speed astern, and her whistle was blown thrice to signify this change of course ; the Meinderry continued to advance, and struck the Timor, inflicting severe damage upon her. Stephen H. Beauchamp, chief officer of the Timor, William Kidall, third officer, Henry Ormsby, chief engineer, and D. J. Christison, the pilot, gave corroborative evidence. Adam Lewis Hoffmann, the master of the Meeinderry, stated that at the time of the collision the steamer was on her way to Shoalhaven, going down the harbour at half-speed, about 3 1/2 knots an hour; near Miller's Point the red light of a tugboat was sighted, and then the red light of the Timor; the engines of tho Meeinderry were stopped, and then a green light appeared, soon after which the collision occurred; the Meeinderry was going astern then, whereas the Timor was on the wrong side of tho harbour, too near in, and with good way on. John Sands, engineer at the Patent Slip, gave evidence as to the damage the Meeinderry hnd sustained, and said that he thought she must have been struck sideways and downwards by some other vessel. Gerome Mery, night watchman at Smith's Wharf, stated that before tho collision the Timor was too close in. Robert F. Duck, chief officer of the Meeinderry, corroborated the master's evidence. Samuel Sustenance, marine surveyor, stated that he had inspected both vessels, and was of opinion that both had way on at the time of thc collision; it did hot appear that the stem of the Meeindorry struck the Timor at right angles ; he thought that the uppor part of the stem of the Meeinderry made the largest fracture in the Timor, and was surprised to find the Timor cut so low down. John Miller, in charge of the Mascotte on the night of the collision, stated that when the occurrence took place the Timor was about at a standstill, and her engines going astern; the Meeinderry had way on, and struck the Timor on the starboard bow. The Board, after deliberation, reported that the collision was caused by the wrongful act or default of David J. Christison, tho pilot in charge of the Timor, in committing a breach of the 21st article of the steering and sailing rules, which enacts that "In narrow channels every steamship shall keop to that side of the fairway or mid-channel which lies on the starboard side of such ship." In connection with this report, tho pilot was summoned to appear before the board at 2 p.m. on the 12th instant, to show cause why his license as pilot should not be revoked or suspended.
