LOSS OF HAIPING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20679, 18 March 1937, Page 7

LOSS OF HAIPING

STORY OF FINE RESCUE WORK FINE SEAMANSHIP IN MOUNTAINOUS SEAS United press association —By electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 17, 11.50 p.m.) BRISBANE, March 17. The story of the abandonment of the Halplng, and the rescue of the crew of 31, including the captain and his wife, in mountainous seas, was told to-day upon the arrival at Moreton Bay of 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 Halplng at 6 p.m. on Sunday about 70 miles off Sandy Cape. He stood by all night, circling the Helping, which had a bad list. Waves were washing over fore and aft, the gunwale was awash and the vessel, moving at about two knots, seemed doomed. Rescue in Heavy Seas At 4 a.m. on Monday Captain Laloe, of the Haiplng, 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 Halplng’s complement was transferred to the Mildura in three separate boatloads, through seas 40ft high. Even the Haiping’s black cat was saved. The Chinese did their best to convey their overwhelming gratitude, continued Captain Raven 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. They were soon fast asleep. The Haiping wireless operator had had no sleep from 8 p.m. on Saturday until midnight on Tuesday.