ONTIN CONTINUATION SHEET..... JATION
.2.......
Date.....
8/8/79.
and also to provide a suitable diet for the refugees, many of whom are children, to assist in their recovery to normal health.
As a result
of poor weather conditions and some delay in obtaining the vast quantities of food and water required, it was anticipated the vessel would remain at anchor for approximately 48 hours.
The Foreign Office was contacted by the writer to advise them fully of the position and also to request that if possible, they could use their good offices to arrange for the disembarkation of all refugees at Hong Kong, but that we were not prepared to delay the vessel unnecessarily to achieve this end, and in any event, the vessel would not be delayed at Hong Kong longer than the intended period of 48 hours, in order to obtain stores and water. Nevertheless, we do consider that it is a matter for Her Majesty's Government to relieve us of the refugees at the earliest opportunity, and we understand that Diplomatic negotiations are already taking place to this end.
Unfortunately it was not possible, for various reasons,to disembark the remaining 120 refugees at Hong Kong and the vessel therefore continued on the voyage to Shanghai, departing from the anchorage off Hong Kong at 1745 hours on the 8th instant.
We anticipate arrival at Shanghai 1500 on the 10th instant, and the vessel will discharge at this port and in addition, Tsingtao, which port has only just been declared by Charterers in the place of Hsingkang, which port was originally intended to be the second and final discharge port. We anticipate some delay in berthing the vessel at both ports, and would estimate that the vessel will not clear Mainland China for about 3/4 weeks.
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In view of previous experience, we are hopeful that the vessel will not be delayed through the discharging programme as a result of the refugees being on board, but you will realise that it is almost impossible for us to obtain further Charter employment if the refugees are not disembarked, and we look to Her Majesty's Government to assist in this regard.
We should be grateful if you would kindly keep us updated with
any progress which may be made towards this end.
Yours faithfully,
For ANDREW WEIR & COMPANY LIMITED
Oh how y
Superintendents' ́Department.