CHINESE TYPHOON.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15318, 20 August 1923, Page 5

CHINESE TYPHOON.

WILDEST ON RECORD

SUBMARINE LOST.

FOUNDERING OF A STEAMER.

Australian and N.Z. Gable Assn. HONGKONG, August 18.

In a terrific typhoon here the British submarine L 9 was sunk. The crew were saved. The steamer Loonsang was lost with all hands, and many smaller craft were destroyed with heavy loss of life. The typhoon was the wildest ever recorded, and did enormous damage along the shore.

The L class of submarines are of the large ocean-going type. These boats displace 890 tons on the surface, and 1080 tons when submerged. They are 238Jft long, by 234 ft troad, with a mean load draught of 121 ft. Their surface horse-power of 2400 gives them a designed speed of 17* knots; under water, with ICOO horse-power, they are capable of 10i knots. «Fhey are armed with 3in or 4in guns and six 18in torpedo lubes. They carry a complement of 38. The Loonsang was a steamer of 1738 tons, owned by the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company. She was built at Hartlepool in 1896.

BIG CASUALTIES FEARED.

ON SEA AND LAND. FEW DETAILS AVAILABLE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received August 20, 10,30 a.m. PEKING, August 18. A Hongkong message reports that hundreds of anohored vessels', including several British, were driven ashore and damaged by the typhoon. It is also feared that there have been considerable casualties afloat. • The damage ashore is heavy. Many premises were damaged and unroofed.

The telephone and telegraph and tramway services have been suspend-

The police and soldiers In large numbers visited the sea front, but owing to the terriflo s'eas were unable to render assistance.

Six Chinese were electrocuted at Lowloon by falling wires, and it is feared there have been a considerable number of other casualties, but details are not ascertainable.