THE HONGKONG TYPHOON

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 223, 14 September 1908, Page 4

THE HONGKONG TYPHOON

A TALE OF THE SEA. 'file China Mail of August 18 contains details of the inquiry into the loss of the Canton river steamer Yiug King in the recent typhoon. the steamer left Canton at (i p.m. on the fatal 27th July, with 430 passengers, including three Europeans. She was ouo of three steamers coming from Canton, and was making for the Brothers, which apparently was a favorite place of the captain's for anchoring, as lie had on several previous occasions anchored in the vicinity in preference to any other when occasion demanded it. The steamer Fatshan was second to arrive at the Brothers, and the steamer Kwong Sal, under Captain ' Crowe, soon followed. A few minutes alter he had dropped anchor ft terrific squall came, on, and when it had passed Captain Crowe was unable to see the Ving King. Anxious enquiries were made regarding the steamer, and all were set at rest when the chief mate (M:\ Ferguson) and a party of 40 Chinese arrived at Hongkong at about 0.30 on the night of July 28, having been brought ashore by launches which had been sent out to the scene of the wreck. The vessel, .Mr. Ferguson reported, was a total wreck, but lie could not say anything regarding the fate of either Captain Page, Mr. Fotheringhain, or Mr. Newman. Captain Page was married, with one child, his wife and litllc one having sailed for Australia three months ago. Captain Page is said to have given the command, "Everyone for himself," anil passengers and crew secured lifebelts when the Yiug King was almost under water. Mr. Ferguson managed to get ashore near Castle Peak farm with 11 Chinese and a number of passengers. This is the third time Mr. Ferguson has been reported drowned, while Mr. Fotlieringlon, the chief engineer, was wrecked on the Wing 1 Chi two years ago. The survivors of the Yiug King were rescued at 'Pillar Point, and the Castle Peak by the Customs cruising launch Kowloon Sai. 'Whilst the launch was steaming past Pillar Point, Mr. Hewlett heard a gun fired, and saw men waving. He had till! launch headed towards the shore, and later learned that those there had been saved from the Ying King. He promptly got the people aboard, and gave them whatever comfort was possible. • The survivors consisted ot Mr. Ferguson, chief officer, an Indian watchman, two quartermasters, a tallyman, three firemen, one sailor, and three Chinese passengers. From what could be gathered from the survivors a pandemonium reigned. Whilst the steamer Was at anchor heavy seas and blinding-' rain were hurled aboard by the hurricane, and gradually the steamer listed and went down. Two boats wore cut away, but no one was able to get in them. When last seen the captain had a lifebelt on and was entering the water. The survivors got ashore with the aid of wreckage and lifebuoys, and they surmised that all others, including the three European passengers, were lost. It was thought that only one European passenger (Mr. Newman) was aboard, but it was subsequent!;' declared by one of the survivors that two Europeans, Canton people, were also on board.

till' Castle Peak Island 011 July 31 the police recovered the dead body of a European, which had been- washed up from the wreck of the Ying King; but 110 one \ra s able to recognise it. The following morning four native fishermen were brought before the. magistrate 011 a charge of having stolen a gold watch and chain from the. body of a dead European. Detective-Sergeant Terrett, who was in the court at the time, '■<>- cognised the watch and chain as belonging to -Captain Page-, lie having been present when it was purchased. The vessel foundered at 2.50 a.m. A witness stated lie was on deck all the time, Iml they had no opportunity to provide lifebelts, as passengers crowded round the alley, and lifebelts were stowed on the steerage deck. The Court found that tile vessel was lost- through a typhoon, and that all reasonable precautions had been taken. The official statement of the typhoon damage at Canton shows that 800 business boats and junks were destroyed, and 11 guardboats and four revenue cutters, mid 30 steam launches. About 400 houses were blown down completely or severely damaged. The loss of life will probably never be accurately known, but it must lie very considerable. Commissioners have been sent to ascertain the losses at Shuntae, Heungshan, Sanshui, and many other places. The storm swept through the Saiuon district, much of which lies on the coast, and inflicted severe losses. Over 80 boats anchored off the coast station awaiting clearance were all destroyed, and men and cargo were confusedly mixed up together by the waves. At Chiowan 20 cargo and four steam launches were destroyed, aud at Hanhoi 30 'boats and many others engaged 111 the oyster industry were caught. It was not known how many boats and lives were lost, but it was stated that from the first to the fifth of the month the surface of the water was sprinkled with bodies of the drowned, and tin; foreshore was s trcwn with debris. The ollicials displayed callous indifference respecting the recovery of the dead and the relief of destitute and starving survivors. Similar reports have been received from other districts affected.

Captain McArthur, of the steamer Eastern. speaking of the Hongkong typhoon, says that no one who has not gone through such an experience can realise the terrific force of the wind. During the height of the. storm the Eastern bogan to draw her moorings, and the oflicers had to crawl on their hands and knees into the bow* of the steamer, it being impossible to stand up against tlie force of the wind. There was fortunately no continuous rain, or the loss of life and property would probably have been greater. The Eastern came' through the anxious ordeal without damage, although at one period there seemed imminent danger of another vessel dragging down bodily upon her. A Hongkong exchange states that the Government proposes to impose a tax of live-sixths of a cent, per ton register, and two cents, per registered tonnage, on all other vessels entering the waters of the colony, to assist in providing a fund for the construction of a new typhoon refuge at Mongkoytsui. Various shipping firms are indignantly protesting against the -proposed tax. The aggregate tonnage, of British shipping at Hongkong lust'year was nearly six million tons, and of foreign ships five and a-half million tons. The estimated cost of the refuge is 1,50(1,01)0 dollars.