STEAMER DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8262, 16 October 1906, Page 5

STEAMER DESTROYED BY FIRE.

ONE HUNDRED CHINESE PERISH. Received October 15, 8.3 a.m. HONGKONG, Ootober 14. Tbe steamer Hankow was burnt at the wharf here just before daylight to-day. One hundred Chinese passengers were incinerated, and a valuable cargo was destroyed. The European passengers 'and members of the crew were saved.

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OUTBREAK ATTRIBUTED TO INCENDIARISM. Reoebed October 15, 9.42 p.m. HONGKONG, Ootooer 15. The steamer Hankow bad two thousand Chinese and seven European passengers on board. The cargo consisted of matting and raw silk. The vessel had just berthed, and in a few minutes was ablaze fore and aft. It was impossible to get the hose to work as the Are floats hud boen damaged in the recent cyclone. The Europeans aboard the Hankow were awakened by an alarm, and rushed down the gangway, the ladies ecaping in their night-dresses. Tbe crew followed, but it was impossible, owing to the inflammable cargo, to asai-t the Chinese in the steerage, who were shrieking for help. Beside one hundred incinerated, many jumped overboard and were drowned. Warships, including the cruiser Flora, and other vessels sent assistance. Tbe outbreak is attributed to incendiarism, tho outcome of a boycott on the British river boats. The Hankow ie a total loss.