TWENTY-SEVEN WRECKS IN FIFTY-THREE YEARS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 January 1929, Page 7

TWENTY-SEVEN WRECKS IN FIFTY-THREE YEARS.

SURVIVORS’ STORIES OF HSINWAH WRECK

OFFICERS UNPAID FOR MONTHS.

Received Sunday, 7 p.m. SHANGHAI, Jan. 19

The Hsinwuh survivors at present include the boatswain, the saloon boy, two talley clerks, two firemen, a liremenLs boy, the second cook, and seven sailors. The total of the rescued is indefinite, but is estimated at one foreigner and 25 natives.

' Captain Jansen was last seen on the bridge making distress signals when the Haimvah plunged. The exact number of deck passengers is unknown, the company’s office booking these through the ship's compradore, who was drowned. There' were no saloon passengers. Scores of dead bddios wore recovered in a watorSogged boat, also a raft bearing a corpse lashed to a spar. The bodies of the foreign officers and engineers have not been found. All the survivors admit there was a 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 wore dashed to death against the ship’s sides and many ■were washed overboard by the huge waves. The ship's lights going out added to the confusion.

This disaster is the 27tli" for the company in 53 years and is attracting much attention in local and government circles. It is .rumoured relatives of the diceased arc combining to demand an indemnity from the company. The most recent disasters include the sinking of Irene by a British submarine in Bias Bay in 1927, following upon its piracy, when the pirates refused to heave to.. Twenty-live ships were either wrecked of burnt.

Wang Poo Glum, Minister of Communications, has telegraphed to Shao Den Chiao, director-general of the company, reprimanding him for employing alleged inexperienced men on Hsinv/ah and informing him that the disaster will entail a black mark being recorded against Chiao and 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 enginwho were pushed into the positions by the company in an endeavour to rid itself of foreigners.

Steamed Too Close Inshore rescuing vessels HAMPERED BY GALE. 'Received Sunday, 7 p.m. SHANGHAI, Jan. 19. Survivors’ account of the Hsihwah’s sinking state that the vessel struck a submerged rock early, on the morning -of January 16 by steaming too close inshore. She refloated and an endeavour was made to reach the shore but she sand midway, very rapidly, trapping the majority of the native passengers who were sleeping ’twoendecks -and the engineroom staff, including tyro Englishmen. There, , were approximately 300 Chinese passengers,'" the majority of . whom were from Shanghai, cn route -to Hong Kong. Heavy seas were encountered. She carried six lifeboats but only one was launched successfully, The lights of four steamers were sighted in the vicinity of the disaster Whiib Hsinwah was sinking but tho

■darkness prevented them observing tho nearby, Hsinwah was fitted wiih Wireless but she lacked an operator, for which the owners have been severely censured ‘by the government officials. The chief officer, Jacobsen, an Estonian, and two Chinese passengers were later picked up by a fishing junk but were so numbed that they were unable to haul themselves -aboard. The fish-

emoen gallantly jumped overboard and .assisted them." Later they landed at Aberdeen, a fishing village on the south side of Hong Kong Island and were immediately rushed to hospital. On being interviewed in hospital,

jJacobson said he was sleeping when itb vessel struck. He donned a, lifebelt immediately but found there .was intense confusion on reaching the deck. Tie was then Washed overboard by a

great w'ave. Immediately news of the disaster was received in Hong Kong, dozens of

tugs and launches rushed to the scene, which is just outside Hong Kung harbour, but many which had survived ordinary weather were lost in the terrific seas, as a gale was blowing up and the wmves were SO foot high. An investigation disclosed that Hsimwah is lying in 16 fathoms. Inquiry Into Management LOSS TO COMPANY 3.000 000 DOLLARS. Received Sunday, 7 p.m, SHANGHAI, Jan. 19. A fishing junk bound for Honk Hong rescued the chief steward of Hsinwah from Hakchaushan Island, half demented, Hsinwah’s, watchman was found ■on the same island but he went mad shortly after his rescue and drowned himself. Two aeroplanes from the Kai* tak aerodrome in the vicinity of Hong Kong scoured the scene of the disaster, the surrounding water and islands, but without result.

The Chinese papers report Hsinwah to the company at 3,000,000 tlol-

'A special commission appointed by ;the Ministry of Comhrapications, is investigating the management of the China Mowdmnt Steamship Co., in coneequence of the latest disaster.- The company is already somi-goycrnmcntal in ijs constitution.