The court-martial on Admiral Fairfax for negligence con- nected with
the stranding of the Howe,' ended at Devonport on Saturday. After listening to a speech from the prisoner's "friend," Mr. Bousfield, Q.C., M.P., and a subsequent three hours' deliberation, the Court found the charge not proved and acquitted the prisoner. They declared, however, that the reduction of speed ordered by Admiral Fairfax was inexpe- dient, and they attributed the stranding of the 'Howe' to an inaccurate chart, and to her diverging from the course taken by the flagship. In the acquittal the public will heartily con- cur. No very great blame can attach either to admiral or captain when a ship runs on to a rock at a place marked in the official chart as deep water. The Admiralty can hardly call its officers negligent for trusting the maps it issues to them. Still, considering the imperfections in charts, it behoves commanders not to trust too much to their accuracy.
Previous page
