BURNING OF THE STEAMER WAH YEUNG.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1680, 31 December 1887, Page 3

BURNING OF THE STEAMER WAH YEUNG.

"From Hong Kong exchanges to hand by the steamer Changsha full particulars are gained of the burning of the steamer Wah Teung, which resulted in the loss of many hundreds of lives. It appears that the ill-fated vessel, in command of Captain T. Witt, was engaged in the river trade between Hong Kong and Canton, and left the former port at the usual hour, half-past 5 o'clock, with a large number of passengers—variously stated at from 500 to 600 in addition to the crew —and some cargo, which included 100 pigs. Among her passengers were about 180 small-footed Chinese women, many of whom were returning from their visit to Hong Kong to witness the Jubilee celebration. All went well until shortly before 9 o'clock, when smoke was discovered aft, and a few minutes later the flames burst through the decks aft. The vessel was at this time nearly abreast of Chuenpee Point, and about a mile from:shore. The captain was called by the second engineer, who was the first of the officers to discover the fire, and he at once headed the steamer for the shore, with the intention of beaching her. Meanwhile the flames spread with amazing rapidity, the steamer being built of wood and naturally very dry at this season, and the frightened passengers were driven forward by the smoke and heat. When the Wah Yeungwas about 200 yards from the shore, those among the unfortunate persons on board who could swim began to jump into the water. Some swam to shore, while others drifted beyond the point, carried by the force of the current, and were picked up by the boats of the steamers Paeig and Ppwan, which had stopped

and put off to their asiutsnce. The captain and officers remained on board until the deck was so hot that it burnt their feet and the flames were close upon them. There was no time or opportunity to get out the boats, the attempt having to be abandoned at the first boat, and the crowd of Chinese were in wild confusion and panic, every man being for himself and quite beyond the control of the officers. Seeing nothing could be

done, Captain Witt and Mr SeDdel, the chief officer, jumped overboard, and callad to the chief engineer (Mr Charles Chambers), who could not swim, to do the same, promising to get him ashore. By this time the Wah Teung was one vast sheet of flame, in which hundreds of her unj happy passengers were enwrapped. The yells and screams of the drowning

and burning people, the squealing of the pigs, and the crackling of the burning timbers, made a combination of sounds that filled the minds of the spectators with a sickening horror. Groups of the unfortunate passengers were seen by the light of the flames clinging to the anchor and chains, and the water round was full of drowning

people. The steamers Pasig and Powan, which were fortunately passing, put out boats with great promptitude, but their efforts were successful only in picking up about 70 out of the wfl.far- A, onnniriflrfthlo nnrnhflr BWam ashore, but it is to be feared that nearly 400 lives have been lost, and it is believed that mine-tenths of the women on board perished, many of the poor creatures being roasted to death on the burning ship.

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