Kion Sheet 2.
4. nod
the various cases, many were delirius, some shocked and dazed, all were dehydrated, the vey young children were particularly bad, the leader told me that all the peop- le had en drinking sea water and urine, he had been able to control the amounts taken by the adults and older children, but the very young children did not under stand the seriousness and suffered accordingly, the 8 deaths were among the children. Tongues were swollen and caked with salt deposites, the naked children had developed salt water sores, Emergency treatment was given to them on the deck, all were taking water. On examination, I found the supposedly unconscious small boy to be dead, with the assistance of 1st Electrician McIlroy, I closely examined the body to certify death, his tongue was greatly swollen and his mouth filled with salt. The survivors were taken to sheltered accommodation within the vessel for further treatment. One young women was found to have a fractured right thigh and fractured right ankle, the result of an accident two days previously, she was splinted and made comfortable with an injection of Morphine Sulphate. A total of 124 persons were recued from boat No. 48 P 1588, 123 were found living, 1 found dead.
Chief Officer Gray searched the boat, collected up a few possessions, these were taken on board and given to the leader. The Chief Officer laid Kerosene soak- ed burlap bundles in the boat, these were fired, the boat cast off, when last sight- ed the boat was no longer a danger to navigation. The vessel proceeded on her voy- age to Shanghai
A Christian burial was given to the dead boy, his name was Le Minh Hieu, aged 3 years, his mother was amongst the survivors, but was too ill to be aware of the fate of her son, the leader of the group requested Roman Catholic rites, ? this was done. The child suffering from spasms, referrred to earlier, was taken to my quarters, where with the assistance of Chief Officer Gray, 1st Electrician McIlroy and Cadet Hird, treatment was commenced. His temperature was 105, he was de-hydrated to an extreme degree, after his mouth had been cleared of salt, we drip fed water into him, we sponged his body and brought his temperature down, he brought up a large tape worm, he did not have the strength to overcome the ordeal of the boat voyage. With his parents present, he died at 2110 on the 4th August. His name was Bui The Linh, aged 2 years. He was buried at sea at 0900 on 5th Aug- ust, Roman Catholic rites used, at the request of Parents.
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All survivors were housed in the accommodation, serious cases in the Hos- pital and Customs cabin, others in Hobbies Room, Recreation Room and other cabins, ! The treatment showed early results, milk puddings and broths were fed in small but frequent helpings, but water and diluted cordials were in great demand. U.H.T. Milk was fed into the younger children and feeding mothers. The youngest, and least disturbed by the experience, was the 10 day old son of the leader, although suffer- ing badly from salt water rash and sores, he was robust and vocal, he was lucky, his mother had kept her milk, two other sucklings were not so fortunate, but they soon responded to feed. By noon on the 5th August I was happy with the situation and confident that we could get the survivors to Shanghai in fair condition. At 1600 on the 5th August a 22 year old male collapsed on the deck and haemorrhaged from mouth and anus about a quart of coffee coloural blood, the signs of a bleeding ulcer, he was in shock and still weak from his recent ordeal, he was nursed as in- structed by Captains Medical Guide, but he required urgent skilled attention, Hong Kong was the nearest suitable port, the vessel was diverted there with usual advices to Authorities and Agents.
The vessel was refused permission to enter British waters, but was given a position to anchor in International waters where medical assistance would be given, also water and provisions could be obtained. The vessel arrived off Hong Kong at 0718 on the 7th August and was brought to a safe anchorage at 0744.
Officials from Government Departments boarded at 1000 on 7th August, ships documents were examined, copies of Log Book entries taken and permission for medical assistance to board the vessel. Following examination the Doctor recommended that the young man suffering from bleeding ulcers to be hospitalised for treatment, also that the young woman with the suspected fractures should be examined by X-Rays. At 1300 they were both lifted off by Helicopter and taken to the Government Hospital.