MARINE DRAMA.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 March 1937, Page 7

MARINE DRAMA.

RESCUE OF CREW OF CHINESE VESSEL (By Telegraph-Press Assn.~Cop;, ii£ht; Received Wednesday, 11.50 p.m. BRISBANE, March 17. The story of the abandonment of tho Haiping and the rescue of 31 of the ci-ew, including the captain and his wife, in mountainous seas, was told today upon the arrival at Moreton Bay ar the Mildura, which brought the survivors and which herself was compelled to shelter for many hours before attempting to make port. Captain H. Raven, of the Mildura, said he located the Haiping at 6 p.m. on Sunday, about 70 miles off Sandy Cape. He stood by all night, circling the Haiping, which had a bad list and waves were washing over the boat fore and aft. The vessel was moving at about two knots and seemed doomed. A.t 4 a.m. on Monday Captain Lalde, of I the Haiping, wirelessed that he was abandoning ship, and rescue operations began from the Mildura at about 8 a.m., occupying three hours, although the two vessels were only about 300 yards apart. The whole of the Haiping's complement was transferred to the Mildura in three separate boatloads through seas 40 feet high. Even the Haiping's black cat was saved. The Chinese crew did their best to convey their overwhelming gratitude, and the pandemonium when all were reunited was unforgettable. They were given stimulants and made comfortable. The majority were utterly exhausted after continuous duty at the pumps and working waist deep in water for three full days, and were soon fast asleep. The Haiping's wireless operator had had no sleep from 8 p.m. on Saturday until midnight on Tuesday.