HSINWAH DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1929, Page 6

HSINWAH DISASTER

HEAVY DEATH ROLL. CHINESE OFFICERS BLAMED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). SHANGHAI, Jan. 19. The Hsimvah survivors at present include the boatswain, saloon boy, two tally clerks, two Jiremen, firemen’s boy, second cook, and seven sailors. The total, rescued, is indefinite, but it is estimated at one foreigner and twentyfive natives. Jansen, the captain, was last seen on the brige making distress signals, when the Hsinwali plunged. The exact number of deck passengers is unknown, the company’s office booking these through the ship’s com-prado-re, who was drowned. There were no saloon passengers. Scores of dead bodies were recovered in a water-logged boat, and also a- raft bearing a corpse fashed to n spar. The bodies of the foreign «. flk-ers and the engineers were not found. All the survivors admit that, there "’as a panic following the- striking of the rock and they made a scram 1e for the lifeboats, which were unloaded and unable to be launched. Many who jumped into the sea were dashed to death against the ship’s sides, and many were washed overboard bv lingo waves. The ship’s lights going out added to the confusion. 'l'llis disaster is the twenty-seventh for the company in fifty-three years, and is attracting considerable attention in local and Government circles. It is rumoured relatives of the deceased are combining to demand indemnity from the company. The most recent disaster included the sinking of the Irene by a British submarine in Bias Bay in 1927, following upon piracy. The pirates refused to heave to, and twenty-live were either wrecked or burned. Wank Pao Chun, Minister of Communiiatfions, telegraphed Chao Den C-hia, Director-General of the company, reprimanding him for employing alleged inexperienced men on the Hsinwah, and informing him that the disaster will entail a black mark being recorded against C’hiao and other directors of company affairs. The salaries of the foreigners employed by his company, which is the largest Chinese shipping concern, have been unpaid for many months. The charge of inexperience does not apply to theforeign members of the staff, hut to the Chinese officers and engineers who were pushed into their positions by the ooanr panv, in an endeavour to rid itself of foreigners. SURVIVORS’ STORIES. SHANGHAI. Jail. 19. Survivors’ accounts of the Hsinwali sinking state that the vessel struck a submerged rock early on the morning of the lGth. by steaming too dose, inshore.’ She was refloated and an endeavour made to reach the shore, hut she sank midway rapidly, trapping the majority of native passengers sleeping ’tween decks, and the engine room staff including two Englishmen. There were approximately three hundred Chinese passengers the majority of whom wer' from Shanghai, en route to Hong Kong. Heavy seas were encountered. She carried six lifeboats, hut only one was launched successfully. The lights of four steamers were sighted in the vicinity, of the disaster, while the Hsinwah was sinking, but darkness prevented the former observing the tragedy nearby. 'Plie Hsinwali was fitted with wireless, but lacked an operator, for which the, owners are severely censured by Government officials. The chief officer, Jacobsen, an Estlionian, and two Chinese passengers were later picked up by a fishing junk, hut were so numbed that they were unable to haul themselves aboard. The fishermen gallantly jumped overboard and assisted them. Later they were landed at Aberdeen, a fishing village on the south side of Hong Kong Js,land, and were immediately rushed to hospital. Interviewed! in hospital., Jacohse" .said he was sleeping when the ,vessel struck. He donned a. lifebelt innnedhitely, but found intense confusion on reaching the deck. He was, then washed overboard, by a great- wave. Immediately news,of the disaster was received in Hong Kong, a dozen tugs and launches rushed to the scene, which is just outside Hong Kong harbour, but many who had survived the ordinary weather were lost in terrific seas as a gale was blowing up the waves thirty feet high. , i.. . . An investigation disclosed the Hsinwah is lying in sixteen fathoms. DEMENTED SURVIVORS. SHANGHAI,. Jan. 19. A fishing junk hound for Hong Kong rescued the chief steward of the Hsinwah from Hakehauslian Island, half demented. The Hsinwah’s watchman was found on the same island but went mad shortly after his rescue and drowned himself. Two aeroplanes from Kaitalc Aerodrome, in the vicinity of Hong Kong, scoured the scene of the disaster and the surrounding water and islands, but without result. -Chinese papers, report, that the Hsinwah’s loss cost the company three million dollars. A special commission is investigating the management of the China Merchants .Steamship Coy. appointed by mo Ministry of Communications, in consequence of the latest disaster. The company is already semi-governmental in 1