In the matter of a formal investigation held at Colombo on the 1st day of July, 1903, before the District Judge of Colombo into the circumstances attending the wreck of the S.S. "UMONA."

The Court, having carefully inquired into the circumstances attending the above-mentioned shipping casualty, finds, upon the evidence appearing in the proceedings No. 270, annexed hereto,* that the cause of the accident was the strong south-east current prevailing at the time; that the master took all ordinary precautions; that the accident was not due to want of due care and skill on the part of the master; that there is nothing before the Court to show that the accident was avoidable, and that the books of the captain (Charles Hedley) and the 3rd Officer (A G Tollemache) indicate that their work is done with the utmost care and precision, reflecting credit on those officers. (Mention was also made of Chief Officer A W Bruckland)

Dated the 1st July, 1903.

A. SENEVIRATNE,

District Judge.

We concur in the above report.

JAMES S. GARDNER,

Assessors.

W. JACKSON JONES,

(Issued in London by the Board of Trade on the 14th day of August, 1903.)

A chapter from  Beyond the Harbour Lights  by  Chris Mills