CHINESE COMPANY'S UNENVIABLE RECORD OF SEA DISASTERS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6815, 21 January 1929, Page 7

CHINESE COMPANY'S UNENVIABLE RECORD OF SEA DISASTERS

27 in 53 Years

SURVIVORS’ STORIES OF HSINWAH WRECK

OFFICERS UNPAID FOR MONTHS,

United Press Association—By Electria Telegraph—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7 p.m. SHANGHAI, Jan. 19.

The Hsinwah survivors at present include the boatswain, the saloon boy, two talley clerks, two firemen, a firemen’s boy, tho second cook, artd seven sailors. Tho total of tho 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 Hsinwah plunged. Tho exact number of deck passengers is unknown, the company’s office booking these through tho ship’s compradore, who was drowne'd. There were no saloon passengers. Scores of dead bodies were recovered in a waterlogged 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 were dashed to death aguinst the ship’s sides and many wero washod overboard by tho huge Waves. The ship’s lights going out added to the confusion. This disaster is the 27th 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 Teccnt 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-five ships were cither wrecked of burnt.

Wang Poo Chun, Minister of Communications, has telegraphed to Shao Don Chiao, director-general of tho com: pany, reprimanding him for • employing alleged inexperienced men on Hsinwah and informing him that the disaster will entail a black mark being recorded against Chiao and others directing t}ie 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 does not apply to the foreign members of the stafE but to the Chinese officers and engineers, who 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 Hsinwah’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 shoro but she sand midway, very Tapidly, trapping the majority of the native passengers who were sleeping ’tweendeclcs and tho engineroom staff, including two Englishmen. There were approximately 300 Chinese passengers, the majority of whom, were from Shanghai, on 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 while Ilsinwah was sinking but tho darkness prevented them observing the tragedy nearby. Hsinwah was fitted with wireless but sho lacked an operator, for which the owners have been severely censured by tho government officials.

The chief officer, Jacobsen, an Esthonian, 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 fishermen gallantly jumped overboard and assisted them.’ Later they landed at Aberdeen, a fishing village on tho south side of Hong Kong Island and were immediately rushed to hospital. On being interviewed in hospital, Jacobsen said he was sleeping when the vessel struck. Ho donned a lifebelt immediately but found there was intense confusion on reaching the dock. Ho was then washed overboard by a great wave. Immediately hews of the disaster was received in Hong Kong, dozens of tugs and launches rushed to the scene, which is just outsido Hong Kong harbour, but many which had survived ordinary weather were lost in the terrific seas, as a gale was blowing up and the waves were 30 feet high. An investigation disclosed that Hsmwah is tying in 1C 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 Eong 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 Kaitak aerodrome in the vicinity of Hong Inpng sceuwad. the sc&aa of the disaster,

the surrounding water and islands, but without result. The Chinese papers report Hsinwah's loss to the company at 3,000,000 dollars. A special commission appointed by the Ministry of Communications, is investigating tho management of the China Merchant Steamship Co., in consequence of tho latest disaster. Tho company is already scmi-governmental in its constitution.