THRILLS AT SEA

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 80, 16 March 1934, Page 7

THRILLS AT SEA

U.S. GUNBOAT ON FIRE British Destroyer Arrives SHIP MANOEUVRED ALONGSIDE By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. HONGKONG, March 15. The United States gunboat Fulton, which was on piracy patrol in Bias Bay last night, suddenly caught fire and became an inferno. The British destroyer Wishart was attracted to the scene and effected heroic rescues. The British steamer Tsinan also picked up 48 men. When the Wishart arrived there was a heavy swell and American sailors were seen on the Fulton’s bows. The Wishart’s commander, Captain Tod, by daring seamanship skilfully brought his ship alongside the Fulton, enabling those on the bows to jump aboard safely. She then went astern and effected the rescue of others, totalling 130. The survivors paid a stirring tribute to Captain Tod’s marvellous piece of seamanship. As the Fulton’s lifeboats were out of reach the only alternative was to leap overboard. The Fulton presented an awe-inspir-ing sight. The smouldering hull was later towed to Hongkong. The fire started in the engine-room, bursting the exhaust pipe and exploding the oil tank. The Wishart’s bows were smashed during the operations.

PIRATES SEIZE VESSEL

Ten Passengers Carried Off HONGKONG, March 15. The Norwegian steamer Norviken, under British charter, arrived at Swatow this morning after being in pirates’ hands for 24 hours. Pirates, travelling as passengers, boarded the ship at Shanghai, seized control and looted the vessel and carried off ten Chinese passengers for ransom. The spet where the pirates left the ship was being patrolled by H.M.S. Wishart three hours previously, hut the patrol was interrupted in rendering assistance to the Fulton.