0905½

(approx.)

I had lined the ship up onto a heading of about 167°, having completed a turn to starboard in the channel. At this time the bridge was positioned slightly south of line abreast BULWARKS stern at a distance of about 500 feet.

The ship was swinging very slowly to starboard and had slight stern way. Slow ahead starboard port and half astern starboard (60 revs) were set and 15° starboard wheel. The stream was setting about 155° - 1¼ knots and the ship was moving slightly astern over the ground (transit). A tug and lighter were Red 10 – 1½ cables.

I received instruction from the Captain to turn over ship to Lt Cdr Weatherall and before doing so ordered “Midships”, “Stop both engines” in order to give my relief a straight forward start to his passage. I then turned the ship over and Lt Cdr Weatherall who said that he had the ship. The wheel had been put amidships but the engines had not been reported stopped.

I went to the port chart table and immediately heard the wheelhouse report “Starboard telegraph jammed full astern sir”

0905¾

The Captain immediately went to the engineroom telephone and ordered “Stop Starboard” – he appeared to have difficulty in making this order understood as he repeated it.  I noticed at this time that the the Starboard repeater Tachometer was about 90 – 100 revs astern.

0906

(approx.)

The Captain then gave two three orders close together, the order of which I am not sure:-

1.       “Half ahead starboard” followed by “Half ahead both engines”, repeated several times,

2.      “Let go both anchors”

3.      “Sound three short blasts”.

0906½

(approx.)

The captain gave the order “Full astern ahead both engines” 5 or 6 times – obviously having difficulty in making himself understood (as he said “No!” at one stage)

Hands to emergen.

I heard a broadcast “Clear the quarterdeck after messdecks, close Red & Blue openings” at about this time.

0907¼

The ships stern struck No. 8 wharf at a speed of approximately 8 7 knots.**

The time of impact was noted on my watch and previous times deduced based on this time. Comparison with wheelhouse watch revealed my watch was 30 secs faster.