THE BOMBING INCIDENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 232, 31 August 1937, Page 7

THE BOMBING INCIDENT.

UNITED STATES LINER.

SEVERAL REPORTED INJURED.

SHANGHAI, Aug. 30. The American liner President Hoover was bombed two miles off Woosung lightship. Several were injured. 'the identity of the ’piano has not been established, but it is reported td be Chinese.

Admiral Yarnell, American Com-mander-in-Cliief, ordered a, destroyer to proceed to the liner’s assistance. The news of the bombing of the President Hoover was received by wireless. The vessel messaged: “IVe have just been bombed by a Chinese ’plane. Here they come again. ■ We need naval assistance. Not sure how many injured.” The President Hoover, . which was taking refugees to Manila, was returning to Shanghai to take on a passenger. One bomb hit the President Hoover on the port side and another hit the dummy funnel. Twenty-five holes were counted above the waterline due to fragments of bombs. Seven of the crew were injured, two seriously, and three passengers stunned by the concussion. The liner later stated that she was able to proceed on Her own power. The destroyers were recalled and the President Hoover was instructed to continue the voyage. FURTHER DETAILS. Received August 31, 12.15 p.m. SHANGHAI, Aug. 30. Admiral Yarnell, the American Commander in Chief, instructed the President Hoover not to call at Shanghai but to proceed to Japan. He similarly instructed the President McKinley. Admiral Yarnell indicated that he is issuing orders to all United States shipping not to attempt 'to enter hostile waters in Shanghai. It appears that Chinese ’planes were attempting to bomb a Japanese troop transport near the President Hoover and flew off when Japanese destroyers raced up and opened antiaircraft fire. The British cruiser, Cumberland, nearby, went to the President Hoover’s assistance.

Four ’planes bombed the President Hoover well outside teritorial waters. She is now proceeding at full speed to Kobe.

Prior to this the surgeon from the Cumberland boarded the liner, which was carrying 257 passengers and a crew of 320, and performed two emergency operations. Two wounded passengers and five wounded members of the crow were taken aboard the Cumberland.

The steamship President Hoover, which is stated to have been bombed by Chinese ’planes, is a sister ship to the President Coolidge. These two vessels are comparatively now, and nre of approximately 20,000 tons. They are operated by the Dollar Steamship Company and provide a fast passenger and cargo service between China, Japan, and San Francisco. Recently, the President Coolidge was involved in a serious collision in San Francisco harbour.