SILENTBLOC LTD.

FLEXIBLE BEARINGS, FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS, ENGINE MÕUNTINGS.

ENGINEFRING EQUIPME" T CO., LTD.

H.K. & Shanghai Bank Bldg.

CHINA MAIL

1845

MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1954:

SHEAFFER'S

ADMIRAL

SNORKEL

PEN

CHRISTMAS MORNING AIR DISASTER

28 Killed In B.O.A.C.

Stratocruiser

Crash

At Prestwick Airport

CREW'S LUCKY ESCAPE

Prestwick, Dec. 26.

A British airliner bound for New York with 36 people aboard overturned and burst into flames 40 feet high as it landed yesterday. Twenty-eight people died.

port.

The plane, a B.O.A.C. Stratocruiser, had flown from London Air- Most of the 25 passengers were Scots going home for Christmas. The captain of the aircraft (W. L. Stewart) and six of his er w of 11 escaped through the blazing nose of the plane.

out.

A fireman plunged through the flames and carried the air hostess But she died after.

Some of the victims groaning ing names pouring foam into the Beds were trapped alive in wreckage." the wreckage un! death over- took them.

Deputy Firemaster J Stewart

of the Kilmarnock Bre belkede, which dushed

the scene of the disaster, said: "it was 80 inferno with flames soaring 30

40 feet high.

tend

A LUCKY ESCAPE

In addition to Stewart and Goddard, other survivors of The crew were Wilson, Flight- Other eyewitn:ssex said that Engineer: Frank Frape, radio the Stratocruiser touched ungineer: Louis Pulsford, flight- down there was an explosion ; engineer, Kenneth King:

and to Philip Monk, flight-engineer.— and the huge plane slowed the left and overturned.

Reuter. Wreckage was strewn along the

for a rly 200 yards. runway The pit ne burst amidships ast exploded. One passenger from the only person sparl seven of the crew to survive- was sitting just where the gap foampened and was able to escape

through 11.

Petrol tanks were explodine and the heat was terrife.

GROANS AND MOANS Another Areman said: could hear the passengers moaning and groaning."

Fire brigades poured ver the blazing plane in an attempt to save the trapped.

New the plane toy a heap of! children's Christmas toys,

When firemen

were able to cuter the wreckage they found mother and child dead in one The child's arms of the seats, were clasped tightly round her inother's neck.

A second child-a boy-was also found dead.

CHARRED CARDS Charred Christmas cards from

mail bags lay scattered around the wreckage,

The disaster curred at 3.30 non Christmas Day about half way up the one and a half mille long rimway of the airport here.

left

The plane should have London earlier than it did but the caption delayed the Dighst because of a land weather report from Manchester in the north of England.

Twenty-one of the passengers were due to leave the plane at Prestwick. The other four were

ying on to New Yurk,

RECENTLY EXAMINED

The Stratocruiser wns only recently re-examined by BOAC and Ministry of Civil Aviation engineers, when her certificate of airworthiness expired In October and A new one granted.

was

Sir Miles Thomas, Chairman of BOAC, ordered an immediate enquiry by BOAC officials into the accident.

Names of the dead in the crush

The

SIDE GLANCES By Galbraith

ΠΕ

7. M. Pa, ON. (cipe 116 by MA DINGA, ING.

"Buying Dad a TV set was a mistake! Now he plans for all of us to sit home and watch the New Year's celebrations!"

Christmas Broadcast From Sandringham

Queen Pays Tribute To "The Average Man & Woman'

London, Dec. 25.

Christmas night fire on board Loxa Maersk

DANISH SHIP GUTTED BY

BY FIRE IN SINGAPORE

Singapore, Dec. 26.

Ten passengers including women and all 36 of the crew of the Danish ship, Lexa Maersk of Copenhagen, were rescued last night in the outer roads of Singapore harbour as the ship's cargo of rubber and general cargo suddenly caught fire in No. 2 hold.

The cargo Included, cylinders of ammonia which exploded at intervals, the fumes affecting many In the vicinity of the stricken ship.

One Brema2+

overcone and taken to higpital but he

not detained after

ment

today off Singapore as the hulk of the Danish ship, Lexa Meersk, burned 20 hours after the fire broke out.

was

The vessel, abandoned as Q total loss, hardly moved on a smooth tropical sen as fires still

Sho treat- raged below deck.

anchored about a mile from The Lexa Maersk a motor the shore and away from other ship of 5,720 tona gross, 3.270 shipping in the outer roads — tens net, owned by A. P. Moller Just left there' to burn herself of Copenhagen and managed by out

the Maersk Line, arrived here Shipping experts forecast that

Colony

Celebrated Christmas

Hongkong celebrated Christmas this year with the usual old feativities ne well as with many new ones.

Children's parties, with? Santi Chus, gally decorated houses, and the METO netious Church services were «rnang (the many ways of keeping-Christmas, 3, 14 HAEDWORKED CLERGY The Clergy, unlike the lucky

holidaymakers were very hard- worked over the weekend. The Proteftant and Catholic churches celebrated as Lees well a

midnight Com holding ctrol (services.)/

on

Communion

churches had a heavy programnio on Christmas Day with Teatly Comuntilon services beginning at 7 am There were Blad the usual services · Con Sunday morning.

another Carol singing was highlight. Many small body carrying carol-aingers toured the harbour-for the benefit of visit. ing ships

Hospitals were visited by the largest crowds of the year.

The forces and crews of visi ing ships were wall entertained and many of the messes threw

from Bangkok on December 19 she would eventually capsize. large parkCH SERVICE A.

The Loxa Maersk had been anchored in Singapore harbour A Christmas service, conduct- since December 19. while loaded in Dutch by Rev H. van ing cargo. She was due to Beck, Chaplain of HMNS ván Zijl, was held at the Soaterers' Church of St. Peter at the Sea man's Mission', at 10.30, amon Saturday.

and was due to leave today for New

York

Suez with via general cargo.

FLAMES SPREAD QUICKLY

Soveral

fire-fighting vessels leave the colony on Christmas sent hoses end firemen aboard, night for other Malayan ports but the

flames spread quickly and then the United States, to No. 3 hold, where there were rubber and ammonia cylinders. Dense smoke rose from the burning

but a sudden rubber danger faced the fire fighters in the cylinders of ammonia began to explode, As the flames spread, the order was given for averybody to leave the ship and passengers and crew were taken aboard waiting craft to be brought to the shore.

U.S. PASSENGERS The passengers were taken to the Adelphi Hotel where this morning as their ship continued to burn they exchanged experi- ences.

Five of the passengers wero young and attractive American women, one the wife of an Australian businessman resident in Malaya and a seventh D Danish woman.

About 100, people attended in cluding a large number of "crew members of the van Zijl and other

by

the

merchant ship, Netherlands Consul-General : in Hongkong, Mr K. E. van der Mandelend his- family and local Dutch residents.

Following - the Christmas lunch for the crew

service,

members of the vinZij11 was held in the King George's Hall Later the fire spread to No. 1 Three men one American, at the Seamen's Mission hold

and soon the yousel was a one Dane and the Australian Christmas is, of course, loved blazing beacon in the tropical businessinan completed The

children and for them It night, flames swirling skywards party.

a non-stop day from the time and silhouetting the ship against Most of the American girle they epened their stockings and the darkness. It

learned had been serving with United tore the wrappings from their later that one of the reasons for

States organisations in Japan.? presents at a monstrously carly the decist to abandon the that ship was that there was a cargo Like sil the other passetizers, | 4our, until they were packed off

they had escaped with

the to bed, tired but, happy, after only clothes they were wearing and supper. of cartide in the No. 1 hold.

The order to abandon ship what little jewellery they had,

́ ́NATIVITY PLAYS DE was given just before 12 o'clock been able to snatch. But they Many of the Colony's schools on Christmas night,

were and have béery

qilays." of dense Huge clouds

pily their experiences of the night The Christ Church Sunday Soluvel black smoke, rose into the sky before.

enacte "Road

Queen Elizabeth today broadcast a special. Christmas tribute to the unknown millions of her Commonwealth and Empire the average man and woman "those names will never be household words,"

meeting con-

"It is in the glow of Scated before a microphone at their courage in of a BOAC strateeruiser at Prest. Sandringham, her country homestant, small adversities depend bright beam that I wish you all wick, Scotland, early on Christ-in Norfolk, she asked them to be in great measure the happiness a blessed Christmas and a happy mas Day have been announced proud to remember how much and prosperity of the community New Year."--Reuter. by BOAC in London.

depended on them even when as a whole. their lives Leemed monotonous.

"They are Members of the crew- Steward 8 Progin, Steward C. Ness,

Han, Steward J Coogant

Stewardess M.

Names of dead passengers Mr D.

Beauchamp and Mrs 1. sauchamp twiter Mr 11 Boyd. M. T. Brady. Miss Naney Campbell, Mr R. Coch- rane, Mist 1 E. Qfimour, Mas G. Goddard and son, Bir A. Hepburn, Mr 3. Lement. Mix Lemont (wife). Me D. and Mew M. 1., Mackin (wite); | My M. J. Nielsen, Mr B. Progin and gir, Mr JD. South and Mr J. 11. Smidwifel, Mr L. C. Wilson, Mr T Davidsen, Mr L. L. Goldfine, w.

Mayland and

An eyewilness, Mr William (wife).

"Fire engines and ambulances raced up the runway and a few seconds later I could

the

see

firemen in the glare of the burn-

Mail Notices

uf

The intest times posting shown below are those for un. regulered correspondence posted A 0.P.0. Heugkung. The latest posting lines elsewhere which, in rederal, are earlier than the G.P.O. thuries can be ascertained by enquiry at the Incal office.

The latest posting timed for

• reghtered articles are generally one hour earlier than the times shown below. Particulars TOERTO- ink parcel maila can be ascertain

Mir

Marland

Radio Hongkong

11 К Т.

1048, Guiomar

Novaca Encores (plano); 11, Song of Britain. Choir from all parts of the British Isles Introduced

|

"It is to the soundness of heart of its average men and women that in the long run is due the upward course of u nation's history," the Queen said.

Speaking of Christmas as time for the

she added: "And our Commonwealth hearth

v. Bootland Com-my

A PERSONAL NOTE

นค

our

all

We forget

+

Commonwealth Link-Up

traditional 60-minute

now war and tect from

caloren

01

'We Got Up Mighty Quick'

for a

"

where he

Nationalists

Raid

WAS

was a

children

Bethlehem," at Christ Church and at the 83rd General Hospital. It was produced by

Mrs Jill Dog- gett Kowloon.

of

JHUG

The

Road

Last minute rehearsals- whichí had been necessitated when a measles epidemile struck 12 of the 49-strong cast did nothing": to mar the final performance? With only 48 hours notice particular boy stand-in played - shepherd's part to perfection:

angels, Hungy

shepherds

A

ODG

and merchants did full justice

· to:

steaming cups of cocon-and sandwiches whicla wero perved.

by the Red Cross,

Another Nativity play Falk

"Stable

THE ORDINARY CITIZENS

"When

we look at the land. there is in the minds of all of us scape of our life on this earth

quite naturally-a tendency, to

This

Sick.soldiers surt.in, absorted admire the peaks and to ignore programme which linked the Miss Grace Beaty told this and after first aid he was taken

silence and móthers" surrepil- the foothills and

fertile Commonwealth the

before The

Her home is with her to hospital story. pleasant fresc around "the pin from which they

Queen's Christmas Day message alster at 4571 Gable Drive, Los detained. He is all right now and ovaly wiped away tears, durin we praise and rightly, the to her people again spanned the Driverving will be discharged today.

the second performance of the Christ Church Nativity Play TEL heroes whose curage and re-world with recordings made in with Headquarters A.F.F.E. st

Mr Wakelin said that the fire the 33rd General Hospital yeg- becomes more precious than ever source shine 90 brilliantly in the Ave Continents, before by the contrast between moments of crisis.

Camp Zama, near Tokyo, and continued to spread at an alarm- terday.

Ing rate and some of the crew It was broadcast by the BBC. she was on her way to Europe were sent to the number one school children, who played

The carrest it homely security and the stort sometimes that there would be In London

Sunday and was heard in Busby. 62, who was waiting to Captain Stewart, was one of brewing outside in the darkness George Cress if there did not

The commander of the aircraft, | w.ich sometimes seems to bono wearers of the Victoria Hongkong on Chrismas night.

vacation.

hold where there was carbide, "After coming aboard from in efforts to unload the cargo to Bethlehem" with a polish

their various parts in see his sister off in Canada-

1

the eight survivors, seven of whom

Et included reference to hound plane. said: "I heard

Singapore we were having a nap there. were crew members. The navigator of uncertainty and doubt that stand behind them ranks of Hiroshima in Japan, the city someone shotting a plane

which spoke of many rehearsals 011

Taky Gard Only passenger envelops the whole world." unknown unstmed men

The ship's crew did every- and atom-bombed in August 1945. when Mrs Fog (the Danish fre

to excope was Mr Herry Hussell.

at the expense of parties and forward and saw ran

women wing and able at

voice of Father, Hugo passenger) came into our cabin thing they possibly could and the shopping expeditions, received the Tho great Bames shooting up through

The Queen begon the trad vallant service.

call to come to them to render Lassalle posed the question and said there' was a fire. Harbour Board fire nghting tug well earned applause from the the darkness,

"She told us to get up, which and water units attacked the Itional - Royal Christmas broad-

what Hiroshima means not only we did mighty quick. We found flames continuously: But at 9.30

disabled: soldiers. cast on a personal note,

We дес "amazed by the to Japan but to the world. two spectacular discoveries in scienti "The whole world has seen the crew equipped with She said: "It is now

wis, given to fire p.m. the order knowledge which should what it has to

pt The crew a hoses and extinguishers 'attack-abandon ship. years since my husband and I

comfort and Jelsure to bring Christmas

ing a fire with spent

which apparently number one hold got off down the consequence, children. And as we do so to-

inillions. These also

have of this knowledge has been

ladders or jumped into the sea. a began in number two hold, rested to some extent on the

"They told us we would be all Captain Caroc and Chief Officer by James McKechnie day, we look back upon а

faithful toll and

devotion to Very great desire for the avold- (HBCT9); 12, (approx.)-Musle from Christmas spent last year in

ing of wars and for eternal right and that aid was coming Pedersen were the last to leave duty Opora: 12.30, Programme Summary: Auckland in hot sunshine, 13,000 ordinary citizens,

of the great bulk of

the shore.

the from

ship." peace in the world" ho suld.

He said the cause of the fire 12.32 Double

Party Attraction.

away

A NATIVITY PLAY Como (vocal) Club Orch. with, Dolly miles

·STARTED AT 4.15 P.M. "And it is to the soundness of

was not known --Reuter. this was strange for Morgan (Electric Organ); 1 Time

Mr. John Wakelin, shipping From Europe listeners heard heart of its average men and Signal. Harry Fryer and his Orcher us, we were at home. there just

produced by

of the sra: 1.16, News, Weather Report and

here for We were

women that in the long run is Nativity play

who que the upward course of a children from Luxembourg, Bel-Angio, American Special Announcements: 130, Muse we are

glum,

for the for you: 1.33, Variety Fanfare from among people who are my own

Holland, Italy, France and are agents tion's history. the North of England (BBCTS); 3 people and whose affectionate

Germany the European Coal and A.P.

Copenhagen, "Come Jatz and Treeman and greeting I shall remember

stated and Steel Community nations

the fire broke

· SPECIAL MESSAGE Orchestra 3.30, Association Foot- ball. England

Ilfe long.

"And so it is that I want this the highlight being voices of the out in number two acid in which ateniary from the Club Ground They surrounded with Christmas

tapioca sad rubber. children singing "Holy Night" in there a special to send

were 4. The Jon Pertwee Show: kindness and friendship as did message of encouragement and German,

He said: "The fire started at Canada's

4.16 p.m. contribution was

pm local time. It was im was the of you Sydney Thompson and his Orches-all my people throughout the good cheer to those |tra (BDCTS): 3. Association Foot mighty sweep of our world en-whose lot la cast in dull and story of 15-year-old Marilyn mediately engaged by the crew of bail. Portugal v. China, Commenetreling journey."

unenvied surroundings, to those Beil, who entered a race to swim the ship who were assisted Inter tary from the Club Ground (OB);

Lake Ontario

In the autumn, by Singapore Harbour Board fire whose names will never be Ring Round the Barth" A

was determined Sta

win to fighing units, "Nevertheless to all of us household words but to whose of Christmas musie

help raise $15,000 needed to The fire gained a firm hold cond by Stanford Rob there is nothing quite like the work and loyalty we owe so

sa help (BBCTS): 6. Time Signal and Pre family gathering in familiar much. Framm Bummary: surroundings centred India. Middle East, Africk. Great falf

on the " by Hour presented Britain, Europe, 8 p.m.

(Studio):

She was the only one to finish 0.30, London Studie children whoso festival this member as I am myself how Japan, pin..

Melodies: 0.50. Weather Report truly is

in in the traditional at- much depends on you and that and her feat brought enough Tupland. Malaya, Indonesia. 6 p.m. im ignal and Bonnentary on mosphere of love and happiness, even when your life seems at money from all over Morth Pakistan. France, p.m.

Rely); 7.0. don Relay) of Special Announce and that springs from the en- is most monotonous level: what America, to save the hospital, Chias, People's Republic, 8.30 am.ments: 15. "Box 200 Bert Gillett jayment of simple well-tried you do is always of real value From Asia: A young nurse

st the Organ (OB); 7,80, "The King

and importance to your fellow told the story of the fight against Ceylon, India, Pakistan, and. I": 1. Educating. Archie-with the wind and rain beat have referred to Christmas | cases by the specialised agencies dense smoke and flames made "Our air foren and naval f'million lotters_und"

disease in India helped in many Peter Brough and Archie Andrews (BBCTB) 8.30, Consorlo. Mandis upon the window and there is wohn: Violin Concerto, In: 2 minor. Og M, Time Biggs. The Little night outside, the family is most as the children's festival but this of the United Nations

and is a lovely day--which is hot Gold Shoe An Entertainment for conselous of the warmth SUEZ BLOCKED dio had on the story of Cinderel peacefulness that surround the only a time for family reunions, From Australis: Britone heard Written and produced by Francis pleasant fireside. And our Com- for paper decorations, for roast the voices of some "Now Austro- age was Dillon (BeCraj: 240, Tako 11 mom monwealth hearth become more turkey and phim pudding the A girl from the Tyrol

liknamigrants from Europe. Suez, Dic. 201

and Jimmy Shipping In the Suez Cath awards with Walls Eaton, Alma Precious than ever, balore by the

between a homelyes beforn all, its origin in the Norwegian sanker hit a sand. | ziuradağ'a. Drondeest (BBUTS)Į 10.11. | sócurity and 'the 'storm whlch /homasɑ wo pay to a very special folk song from hor native Fandi'an incident in which the "boruly "ademy “and, bombs and; "broad-1-moscued safely on Sund was et a standstill 36 hours after Cars, June Whitdeid. Repeat of fast contrast

Rüberhideja_30.20.`` · Raging.... Kingtimes moenis to be browie vor ordinary: home,^ins "VELY under: the..., Colombo plan ‚eald; } in 1603-wan,alimply terring laldes hit targets:mercilessly,RA AFBRAUNARVONTA SURADN

family who lived long ago in a and an Asian student studying Ernst Hansda (of Odet) had

Irzan - Australian- univerzity (figured..

offort to rubdue the benic and blocked the dinni Chongs V7 Blauplechase. A recorded "normally: last night. AKE CONTAL) commentary" ( by Raymond Glenden. | outside in the darknem⋅ of sark-i tinimportant” village tố, thế • HD# |»?«tis-take one another as we filames and at one stageɖhe blood participating (4 unitaretiirzində torKowloon HA

The lanker Britu was heavily pas from Kempton Park (London certainty ·and doubt atlai. Au cổ N Mall Roman province. \aru and try to get klout one with fan the top of the number, thros | saftly to their bano.“ likken and struck a sandbank a); 100 Dative to Guy, Lomber envelope the whole world

and his Royal Canadianri

LIGHT OF REART

me

Howard hatch unding water down fotoalalaried Notionalist-soukoss Low miles from here. She was: Westber: Report: Time Signal "In the turbulance of this an--

fast Choodand Lonxious and solive world many Life in such a place must from the Emir of wanan

From Africa: refloated by tugs and towed into Radio Nowe

Bonely 11.1y Goodnight Musle, people are leading uneventful

in: halping and not diaster is the Bufe the light

sgained swept up and

help full blat people who never reale Unet in Bethlehem, and Printed and, published by WILLIAM ALDOM CHAINIKASE“, fgt, doelry); atendifusation? shake Non; behalf of Mouth v China Morning, Pom Lämiinin at 1178 ablliky, so withstand the belligun

•Street, CityVAL

£ in the Calon

för auf rebatickým rock/md.; on

ed by enquiry at any post offer.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29··

By Air

Phitppines, & pan. Korea, 8 pm.

By Burface

Mano, M. Malaya, Aden, Middle Easi, Italy, Noon,

Macro, 6 p.m.

(OB):

430,

Old Time Ballroom-with

programme

Store,

FAMILY GATHERING

save a

WAY produced by Dorolive Scales. It was staged by St John's Cathedral. Sunday School at & John's Cathecal Hall a

here have also been a mum- ber of pantomimes. H.M.S. Mwcastle is putting cm one st Talpel, Dec. 25.

the China Fleet Club

and The Chinese Nationalists "Cinderella

+

Red Outpost

the

entitled

"May you, be proud to rothika for handicapped and then spread to No. 3 hold this morning staged: the Thieves Horty,

men,

lands

TYROLIAN FOLK SONG

Pagia.

Port

which there were; a number of

for the first air-sea joint attack work with a flood of late cards cylinders of ammonia ship's refrigeration unlis

About G

p.m. local time since September against wo

and greetings; méssagenan, Thels, Chinese Communist. Chih- | rush alerted many weeks ago efforts were made to get the ship into shallower water and kuoshan Island, a National and they hayo had 10%, work,

hours overtime to the anchor was broken. But as 1st Defence Ministry.com- many

manage the record mail of this the ship began to get under way miffique reported.**

year, of almost two and a half the task of moving almost in-

possible and we had to drop the units early today jointly-at- tacked enemy position on

VS, JUNK PI7.25 ANDRÉZKE

But not everone has had the other anchor,

BOSUN: "TERRIFIC Chikueshan," the communique Christmas spiritzia

wald.

junk was ́ ́ pirated "The passengers were ordered

"Our forces opened up Irlatid, eight of the ashore just before this and affor

furious pounding against the put ashore and

Flugfter.

the operations.

anuroká | by a "ging

Sutz harbour, French, (200 save The Queen; | 11.30, Cielonotyllyes to whom, dresrinës, i haver Bertly a biźw uninitasking, trawanda'doy the pãople who are: monia vibull?NS • VOZIDAR-ing about one hour was intorsdedi "sidents"!

{xt *

from the cottage windo

15 numer for knock out CommuniSEN MANTRÄCHE cought & Hansen and fortinentions on the illa/5)

# The sources added this Com one the deck minist plane tried to NeoLEN. EIN

Share This Page