Finding of Facts 1. That the U.S.S. HULBERT was enroute from the U.S. Naval Operating Base, Kodiak, Alaska, to the, U.S. Naval Section Base, Sand Point, Alaska, on December 17, 1942. 2. That Lieutenant Robert B. Crowell, U.S. Navy, was the commanding officer of the U. S. S. HULBERT and was so acting. 3. That from prior to 1408 until after 1433 on said afternoon, the commanding officer was on the bridge of the U.S.S. HULBERT and had the conn. 4. That from prior to 1408 until after 1433 on said afternoon, Lieutenant (junior grade) Richard B. Redmayne, U.S. Naval Reserve, was officer of the deck of the U. S. S. HULBERT. 5. That the M V PHYLLIS_S left Chadrik Bay for Port Bailey about 1400 on December 17, 1942, with passengers, freight, and United States mail. 6. That on December 17, 1942, the M V PHYLLIS_S was owned by O.L. Grimes, of Ouzinki, Alaska, and was under charter to Robert Von Scheele. 7. That upon leaving Chadrik Bay, Robert Von Scheele was master of the PHYLLIS_S and the members of the crew were: Monroe Rongvid, engineer; Tom Von Scheele, deckhand; and Peter Heitman, cook. 8. That Robert Von Scheele was duly licensed to operate the M V PHYLLIS_S in the carriage of passengers for hire. 9. That upon leaving Chadrik Bay, the following passengers were aboard the M V PHYLLIS_S: George Scroggs Mrs. Albert Reft John Reft Catherine Katelnikoff Miss Annie Naumoff Daniel Naumoff E. M. Naumoff Victor Carlson Charles Aga Mrs. Alf Paakhanen Helen Agik 10. That the M V PHYLLIS_S was equipped with a lifeboat and an adequate number of life jackets. 11. That at 1408, zone plus nine time, on said afternoon, the M V PHYLLIS_S was sighted by the U.S.S. HULBERT while the PHYLLIS_S was leaving Chadrik Bay in Kupreanof Straits between Kodiak Island and Afognak Island, at which time the U. S. S. HULBERT was approaching Kupreanof Straits through Whale Passage, both vessels proceeding in inland waters. 12. That the course of the M V PHYLLIS_S upon leaving Chadrik Bay and reaching deep water was toward Polar Bear Rock Light, approximately 262 degrees True, and her speed was about seven and one-half miles per hour. 13. That upon reaching deep water, the master of the PHYLLIS_S was re­ lieved at the wheel of said vessel by Tom Von Scheele, a deckhand, and went below where he remained until after the collision occurred. 14. That upon entering Kupreanof Straits from Whale Passage and until just prior to the collision, the speed of the U.S.S. HULBERT was fifteen knots, her courses conforming to the channel. 15. That there were no lookouts posted on the M V PHYLLIS_S on the after- noon of December 17, 1942. I 16. That there were at least four lookouts posted on the U.S.S. HULBERT on said afternoon and the lookouts saw and reported the M V PHYLLIS_S to the commanding officer and officer of the deck at least 20 minutes before the collision. 17. That at all times mentioned herein end until after the collision the surface visibility was unlimited. 18. That the U.S.S. HULBERT overhauled the M V PHYLLIS_S from a position more than two points abaft the port beam of the PHYLLIS_S. 19. That, until 1432 on the afternoon aforesaid, no warning or passing signals were sounded by either vessel. 20. That, at about 1432 zone plus nine time, on said day, the U.S.S. HULBERT changed speed from fifteen knots ahead to full back, changed I course, to the left from 2880 True, and sounded four short blasts on her Whistle. I 21. That at about 1433 on said afternoon, the U.S.S. HULBERT collided with the M V PHYLLIS_S striking said vessel just aft of amidships on the Port side, in approximately 57 degrees 58 minutes north latitude and 153 degrees 01 minute west longitude. 22. That when the collision took place, the U.S.S. HULBERT was still underway ahead, her engines backing full, and had just begun to swing to port. 23. That the M V PHYLLIS_S was cut in two, all her compartments flooding rapidly. 24. That the lifeboat of the M V PHYLLIS_S was lost in the collision and the passengers did not have time to use life jackets. 25. That the U.S.S. HULBERT made fast to the bow of the M V PHYLLIS_S with her lifeboat falls, and kept it from sinking. 26. That the forward compartment of the M V PHYLLIS_S was searched for missing persons unsuccessfully. 27. That Mrs. Alf (Mary) Paakhanen, and Helen Agik, a child of about five years, are missing as a result of the collision and their bodies have not been recovered. 28. That no serious injuries were sustained by any of the survivors of the M V PHYLLIS_S as a result of the collision. 29. That the forward part of the M V PHYLLIS_S was cast loose and sank in about thirty fathoms of water near the scene of the coll1sion, and the stern, when last seen, was beached nearby. 30. That no cargo manifest was recovered from the M V PHYLLIS_S nor is one otherwise obtainable. . 31. That about ten sacks of United States mail vere lost as a result of the collhion and about fifteen sacks were recoversd in a damaged con­ dition. 32. That the value of the M V PHYLLIS-S and her cargo cannot be accurately determined. 33. That the only damage sustained by the U.S.S. HULBERT in the collision was a smashed sound dome. Opinion 1. That the U.S. S. HULBERT was an overtaking vessel. 2. That serious blame was incurred by Lieutenant Robert B. Crowell, U.S. Navy, and Lieutenant (junior grade) Richard B. Redmayne, U.S. Naval Reserve, in not taking timely action to prevent the collision. 3. That the officers aforesaid were culpably inefficient in the per­ formance of their duties. 4. That the M V PHYLLI_S, her tackle, apparel, furniture, and cargo, are a total loss and salvage operations impractible. 5. That Mrs. Alf (Mary) Paakhanen and Helen Agik lost their lives as a result of the collision. 6. That all practicable measures were taken by the officers and crew of the U.S.S. HULBERT to rescue the survivors from the M V PHYLLIS_S. 7. That the values of the personal property lost by various persons as a result of the collision are approximately as follows: O. L. Grimes, loss of vessel -- $15,000.00 Robert Von Scheele -- unknown Tom Von Scheele -- 200.00 Monroe Rongvid -- 150.00 Peter Heitman -- 200.00 George Scroggs -- 500.00 Charles Aga -- 20.00 Mrs. Albert Reft -- unknown John Reft -- unknown Catherine Katelnikoff -- unknown Miss Annie Naumoff -- unknown Daniel Naumoff -- unknown E.M. Naumoff -- unknown Victor Carlson -- unknown Mrs. Alf Paakhanen (deceased) -- unknown Helen Agik (deceased) -- unknown Recommendation 1. That Lieutenant Robert B. Crowell. U.S. Navy. and Lieutenant (junior grade) Richard B. Redmayne, U.S. Naval Reserve, be brought to trial before a general court martial on charges of culpable inefficiency in the per­ formance of their duties.