HSINWAH DISASTER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 29, 21 January 1929, Page 6

HSINWAH DISASTER

SURVIVORS’ ACCOUNT OF SINKING MAD SCRAMBLE FOR LIFEBOATS. COMMISSION INVESTIGATING , CO’S MANAGEMENT. [United Press Association—By CableCopyright.! [Australian and N Z. Press Association.! Shanghai, Jan. 19. The survivors’ account of the Hsiuwah sinking states that the vessel struck a submerged rock early on the morning of the 16th by steaming too close in to the shore. She was refloated and an endeavour was made to reach the shore, but she sank midway, rapidly trapping the majority of the native passengers sleeping 'tweendecks and the engine room staff, including two Englishmen. There were approximately 300 Chinese passengers, the majority of whom were from Shanghai, en route to Hong Kong. Heavy seas were encountered. She carried six lifeboats, but only one was launched iyThe lights of four steamers were sighted in the vicinity of the disaster while the Hsinwah wen sinking, but the darkness prevented the former from observing the tragedy nearby. The Hsinwah was fitted with wireless, but lacked an operator, -for which the owners were severely censured by Government officials. TERRIFIC SEAS. The chief officer, Jacobsen, an Esthonian, and two Chinese passengers were later picked up by a fishing junk, but were so numb they were were unable to help themselves aboard. Tho fishermen gallantly jumped overboard and assisted them. Later they wore landed at a fishing village on the south side of Hong Kong Island, and were immediately rushed to hospital. Interviewed in hospital Jacobsen said that he was sleeping when the vessel struck. He donned a lifebelt immediately, but found intense confusion on reaching the deck. He was then washed overboard by a great wave.

Immediately the news of the disaster was received in Hong Kong dozens of tugs and launches rushed to the scene, which was just outside Hong Kong harbour, but many, who would have survived ordinary weather were lost in the terrific seas, as the gale was blowing up waves thirty feet high. An investigation disclosed that the Hsinwah is lying in sixteen fathoms of water. The Hsinwah survivors at present include the boatsmain, saloon boy, two tally clerks, two firemen, firemen’s boy. second cook and seven sailors. The total rescued is indefinite, but it is estimated at one foreigner and 25 natives. * Jansen, the captain was last seen on the bridge making distress signals when the Hsinwah plunged. The exact number of dock passengers is unknown, the company’s office booking these through the ship’s compradorc, who was drowned. There were no saloon passengers. SCORES OF BODIES RECOVERED.

Scores of dead bodies have been recovered in waterlogged boats, also a raft bearing a corpse lashed to a spar. The bodies of I he foreign officers and engineers have not been found. All the survivors admit that there was panic following, the striking of the rock, and a mad scramble for the lifeboats, which were overloaded and unable to be launched. Many who jumped into the sea were dashed to death against the ship's sides, and many were washed overboard by huge waves. The ship’s lights going out idded to the confusion. This disaster is the 27th for the company in 53 years, and is attracting considerable concern In local and Government circles. It is rumoured that relations of the deceased are combining to demand an indemnity from the company. The most, recent disasters include the sinking of flic Irene by n British submarine in Bias Bay in 1927. following upon piracy. The pirates refused tn heave to and 25 were either wrecked or burnt. COMPANY’S DIRECTOR REPRIMANDED. Wang Pao Chum, the Afinister of Conin' inications, telegraphed Chao

Den Chiao, director-general of tho company, reprimanding him for employing allegedly inexperienced men on the Hsinwah, and informing him that the dasaster will entail a black mark being recorded against Chiao and the others directing the company’s affairs. The salaries of the foreigners employed by this company, which is the largest Chinese shipping concern, have been unpaid for many months. The charge of inexperience docs not apply to the foreign members of the staff, but to the Chinese officers and engineers who are pushed into positions by the company in an endeavour to rid itself of foreigners. A fishing junk bound for Hong Kong rescued the chief steward of the Hsinwah from Hakehiushan Island, demented. Tho Hsinwah's watchman was found on the same Island, but went made shortly after rescue and drowned himself. Two aeroplanes from the Kaitak aerodrome in the vicnity of Hong Kong, scoured the scene of tho disas ter, the surrounding water and the islands, but without result. Chinese papers report, that the Ilsin wall’s loss cost the company 3,000,000 dollars. A special commusion is investigating the management or the China Merchants Steamship Company appointed by the Ministry of Communications in consequence of the latest disaster. The company is already scmi-Governmcntal in constitution.