D/S Ven Koh

...

Appeared Master Mariner O. Johannessen ... The vessel had been lying at Wakamatsu since the 18th November 1940 and was in completely seaworthy condition. The appearer produced the vessel's log book and an extract from same in so far as the happenings which occurred were concerned. ...

...

The extract was compared with the ship's log book and was found, in all essentials, to be in agreement with same.

The captain referred to what had been entered in the log extract and further stated that he had received sailing orders at the end of November 1940. Was however refused outward clearance by the Customs at Wakamatsu where the ship's papers were declined delivered. The reason for this was not given. In letter dated the 17/3 1941 the captain was informed by Miyachi Kisen Kaisha Ltd., Kobe, that the captain and all the officers were to leave the ship by the 31/3 1941 with liability for what might otherwise happen. There was porotested verbally against this. On the 31/3 1941 Miyachi's representative arrived at Wakamatsu in order to take over the vessel, but the captain declined to leave the ship and at the same time sent telegraphic advice to The Norwegian Legation in Tokyo, to the Consulate at Kobe and to Aall & Co., Ltd., Kobe, about what had occurred. The Legation gave telegraphic instructions not to leave the ship. Myiachi tried to induce all the officers to leave the ship, but they were held back by reference to their signing on contracts. We then heard nothing from Miyachi right until the 9th May q1941 when, from a statement made by Miyachi's representative, we got an idea that the ship was going to be seized. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon the same day there was sent telegraphic advice about this to the Legation in Tokyo to which there was no reply. At about 10 o'clock in the morning of the 10th May the captain received orders to come ashore for conference with Miyachi's representative. By the latter he was later in the day - at 1.30 l''clock - informed that the vessel would be taken over by the Japanese Government during the day and that the captain and officers were to leave the ship at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on the following day. The captain handed a written protest to the Wakamatsu Water Police against the changing of flag before he obtained peremission for this from the Norwegian Government. The Harbour Police, together with Miyachis's representative, showed the captain a document which was said to be a Japanese Certificate of Nationality for the ship, and at the same time ordered the captain and officers to leave the vessel under threat of arrest in case the order should not be comoplied with by 3 o'clock on Sunday afternooon the 11th May. In consequence of theis we found oursselves forced to comply with this order, and the captain and all the officers left the ship on Sunday the 11th May at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

In the meantime the Norwegian flag had been taken down at 4.37 o'clock and the Japanese flag hoisted on the vessel immediately afterwards on Saturday afternoon the 10th May in the precence of the Police.

On being questioned by the President as to whether he, the captain, found that there was any reason or justification for the Japanese Authorities to seize the vessel, he replied no. Nor was any reason given on the part of the Japanese.

...

... The 1st witness, chief officer Per Nilsen, who stated that during the last two months he had kept the ship's log book and had written the produced log extract.

The witness stated that for some time he had heard rumours indicating that the vessel would be taken over by the Japanhese in a way which was contrary to the law. On Saturday the 10th May 1941, at 16.30 o'clock, 3 police-men and 2 representatives of Miyachi Kisen Kaisha Ltgd., came on board. They were received by the witness at the shore gangway and conducted into the saloon where one of Miyachi's men - Captain Norito - stated that we were to chage flag. He had a Japanese flag with him. At once went aft where Captain Norito ordered one of the new crew, sent on board by the Japanese, to lower the Norwegian flag after having obtained the consent of one of the police-men present. Immediately afterwards the Japanese flag was hoisted by the same man. One of Miyachi's men thereafter thanked the police-man and the ceremony was over.

The witness had the impression that the changing of flag was illegal as he had heard nothing about the vessel having been sold and was to be delivered to the Japanese. On the same dayh the witness was told by Captain Norito to leave the ship the next day - Sunday the 11th May - by 15 o'clock, which was done.

The witness does not know the reason for the change of flag nor the further circumstances leadning up to this.

...

Appeared the 2nd witness, Engineer Faerstad, and stated that he had been chief engineer on the "Ven Koh" since August 1940. About a month ago Miyachi tried to take over the ship, but nothing came of it on that occasion.

On Saturday th 10th May 1941 Japanese engineers came on board and examined the engine, and in the afternoon the witness saw that the Norwegian flag was taken down in the presence of the Police and the Japanese flag hoisted on the ship.

The witness, who has not been givene notice, was ordered to leave the vessel, together with the captain and the other officers, on the following day - Sunday the 11th May 1941.

The witness does not know the reason why the vessel was taken over by the Japanese. The witness was present when Captain Johannessen handed over to the Police a written protest against the taking over of the vessel by the Japanese Government.

...