MOUNTAINOUS SEAS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 386, 18 March 1937, Page 5

MOUNTAINOUS SEAS.

Rescue of Chinese Crew. Press Association—Copyright. Brisbane, March 17. The story of the abandonment of the steamer Haiping, and the rescue of 31 ot the crew, including the captain and his wife, iu mountainousseas was told to-day upon the arrival at Moreton Bay of the M'Hdura, which herself vias compelled to wwhich herself was compelled to shfeltier for many hours b-efoMe 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 b;.- all night circling the Haiping, which had a bad list. Waves Were washing over her fore and aft and the gunwale was awash. The vessel was moving at about two knots and seemed doomed. At 4 a.m. on Monday, Captain Laloe of the Haiping wirelessed that he was abandoning the ship. Rescue operations from the Mildura began about 8 a.m., occupying three hours, although the two vessels were only about 300 yards apart. The whole of the- Haiplng’s complement was transferred to the Mildura in three separate boat loads through seas forty feet high. Even the Haiping’s black eat was saved. The Chinese did their best to convey their overwhelming gratitude, and the pandemonium when a7l were reunjtedj Was unforgettable. Ifiey were given stimulants and made comfortable. The majority were utterly exhaustad from continuous duty at the- pumps, working waisti deep in water for three full days. They were soon fast asleep. The Haipiiw wireless operator had had no sleep from 8 p.m. on Saturday until midnight on Tusday.