Torches were then made of turpentine and waste and the brothers again battled their way down to the waterfront. A rope was made fast ashore and the other end thrown out to the Leonor during a lull in the gale. Three men took the risk of being dashed against the Praya Wall and landed safely.
The party was taken to the Central Police Station, where Mr. MacEwen reported to the Captain Superintendent, Capt. Deane, that many more passengers were still on board and in danger of losing their lives. Police assistance was requested, but Capt. Deane replied that the weather was still too bad for rescue parties to be sent out. The Tauffer Brothers then returned to the Praya and effected further rescues.
Reference has been made to this incident in an earlier article (See 19/4/34). As a result of Capt. Deane's action, a petition for an inquiry was addressed to the Governor, and when he refused to take action, unofficial members moved at the next Budget meeting that no provision be made for the salary of the Captain Superintendent of Police. The matter was eventually referred to the Home Authorities, and the Colonial Secretary ruled that Capt. Deane was entitled to use his own discretion and take the course which seemed to him most expedient.
An inquest was subsequently held into the death of Capt. Echanique, master of the Leonor. The jury found that the deceased was washed from the rigging of his ship and drowned, after she had stranded near the Praya.
The jury praised the rescue efforts of the Tauffer brothers and trusted that they would be suitably rewarded by the Government.
The jury further recommended that considering the frequency of typhoons during certain seasons of the year, and their disastrous effects on life and property afloat, that the Government should supply proper life-saving apparatus for use when required.
Page 1107
The reference to the Engine House in the above article is puzzling. Can any of my readers tell me where it was situated and for what purposes it was used?
I am able to reproduce to-day two more pictures, of the damage done by the disastrous typhoon of 1874. In Saturday's article I dealt with the wrecks of the Spanish steamers, Albay and Leonor and the damage done to the Praya Central. To-day I propose to give further details of damage done ashore and afloat.
Following is an eye-witness's story, published in one of the Hongkong papers:
"Although I have seen many typhoons during a stay of over fourteen years in Hongkong, I cannot remember any which caused so much damage to the Colony and so much loss of life. The scene on the Praya from west to east was melancholy in the extreme. Leonor (See 7/7/34) was little east of the Albay and the Lizzie H, a mast in the gale and sprung a leak, which was more fortunate. She lost but this damage was soon repaired.
"From the Bank Wharf to the Oriental Bank there was a vast amount of timber which had been washed up by the sea, and all along the Praya were huge piles of debris. Close to the Bank Wharf lay five heavy granite blocks, of which the Praya is composed. They were linked together by iron couplings, and had been thrown more than half way across the road.
"Further on was a large mass of piles which had formed part of one of the wharves. They had also been thrown more than half way across the Praya.