166
THE HONGKONG, WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE WRECK OF THE" FUTAMI
MARU."
CAPT: CLARKE'S" ACCOUNT. Capt. W. E. Clarke, who is very well known in Hongkong, has favoured us with the follow ing full account of the wreck of the Futami Maru, on which he and his wife were passen gers:
The Japanese Mail line steamer Futami Maru, due to arrive at Manila on the 18th and here on the 22nd, was wrecked at midnight of the 17th off Cape Calavite, western part of Mindoro Island; one of the Philippine group. All the passengers, mails and specie, part of Officers and Crew were rescued by the Eastern, Australian Co.'s 8. 8: Australian and brought on to Hongkong, arriving on the 30th ult
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were a number of veterans. Certainly there was this difference between the association here and the Queen's Westminsters that all these men on the flanks were seasoned vet erans of the regiment. He thought, would it be possible to get a reserve company, or they could call it a veteran company, of the Hong Kong Volunteers? That was his scheme. Again, before he could bring it before them he had to ask,
Wo ask, what would the Volunteers say to this? So he got Sir John Carrington' to meet him by appointment, and he told him briefly, what he had told them that day Sir John smiled upon the scheme at once, but said he must consult his officers. He accordingly consulted his officers, and they unanimously agreed that it would be a great honour to have them join in with. them in that way. If this proposal smiled upon them -he did not say it would-this was what he would On the night of the 17th the weather was expect. He should expect no drill. He recog- equally from 8.W., much rain and vivid nised that they had a desire to avoid barrack lighting, and there must have been a very square drill and and so forth. He should heavy sea from 9: W. to have brought our expect a certain proficiency-whatever was good ship so close to this danger, as Capt. settled by the committee in the nse of the Thom is a very prudent and “careful' navi- rifle. He should expect that they would pro-gator who would not knowingly take any vide themselves with a uniform not the chances. Just before midnight the ship' whole kit, but a portion of the uniform worn
struck bottom. I knew the sound too well, by the Hongkong Volunteers. He should and at once left the cabin and gave the alarm expect that they would be an integral part to the passengers in adjoining berths and told of the Volunteers. As regarded the in my wife to dress herself as soon as possible and spection he should say this: he could notify get on deck. I then jumped on deck, and say that he intended to inspect the Hong- through the mist the land on our starboard bow: kong Volunteers on a certain date. If the The roar of the seas breaking away on the port gentlemen present, supposing they fell in with bow and the rolling surf-seas were terrifying his scheme, honoured him by coming, all he in the extreme. The ship was there rising to could say was that he should esteem it a very the heavy sea and falling, bumping with a shock great honour and a very great pleasure. He of earthquake force; and then listing to port: should go down their ranks, as he went The heavy seas would strike the bow and port down the Queen's Westminsters. They would side with great force, falling on board with not be expected to drill or march past or fearful violence. do anything of that kind. If, on the other hand, it was found to be impossible on account of business for them to come to the inspection, there would be no compulsion about it. His Excellency pointed out that by adopting his scheme the association would be given a status and yet they would incur no further obligations than they were apparently willing to incur from their original scheme.
The CHAIRMAN said that after listening-as he was sure they had all done with the greatest interest--to the speech the General had been kind enough to make to them, it seemed to him that the best thing they could do was to accept the proposal, as they would be securing every- thing they hoped to secure and they would be also securing a status.
A short discussion then ensued with the view to elucidating certain points raised.
Thinking the heavy sea might lift her over, the reef and perhaps into deeper water I went on the bridge and suggested to the Captain to let go both anchors in order to bring her head on to the sea, as she would certainly drift closer in shore. Ons was let go and in about two hours she sailed round about four points, which brought the ses more ahead and she lay more easily.
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During this time-the best kind of discipline was observed. The saloon passengers were on deck with life belts on: All the 2nt class and steerage passengers were brought under the shelter of the saloon deck houses and provided with life belts. The stewards and servants ob- tained life belts also, but after the word came from the captain that there was no immediate danger these were more or less discarded ex- cepting by the Chinese passengers. The wind and sea seemed to increase with the rising tide. and she began to work by heavily, At about 2 a.m. the starboard boats were swung out and lowered to the rail ready for use when required. I do not think it would have been possible to have lowered the port side boats. These were afterwards washed away during the next night The face of the carpenter as he passed along, sounding the wells began to look white and long, rapidly, which accounted for the heavy list qutwards. The port cabins were flooded, as some of the glass ports were broken by the heavy seas.
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[Santamber 1.
At daylight soon saw the in, and that the ship manat) So I did not hesitate toz sugg tions be made to lower boats, tents, etc., ready for disembarkati
One boat was sont away with first omcer in charge with a message for net
the course of the morning the other boo lowered and filled witko stoves, blas etc., and hauled ashore by means line previously arranged. There passengers were landed, after the passengers, the gentlemen kindle thing? 11ts care of the ladies, who were placed in charge of Mr Cooper. Some cabin luggage enough for immediate wants were landed, together with the passengera and allɛsant up round a point on the beach, to a camping ground located by the second-officer. All this work was done in il perfectly (orderly› minneri supervised by Capt. Thom and officerad
The rest of the day was spent in recoveringTM: stores, baggage, and anything that would be? of use in the computing eller bag bestsod aliór During this time the wind was at gale fören – with blinding rainuring the squalls, while disembarking; the sea would break right overi the vessel and the drenching spray; came with great force over the people in the boats
The officers, crew and servants particularlyu worked very hard during all this time, drenchedu to the skin, carrying staff ashore and along the beach to the camp Temu boxes of gold were” sent to the camp but six more and all the mailaya with what baggage, etog landed was retained i at a camp on beach opposite the ship under charge of the chief and junfor officers, and Chief” Engineer Moore, During the afternoon some natives came to our camp) and by aid of my knowledge of Portuguese i was able to inform v them what we were and to ask for any kindly * aid, which was truly offered: Soon after thi the first mate returned from Ealuan, where the President resides, and brought with him one of the head man of the village, with whom M.. Smith, one of the passengers, was able to bom- verse freely in Lating so my poor Spanish who thrown overboard Camp life that night whe most uncomfortable on accounts of othe stronges squalls and heavy rains, but we had to be thanks t ful-the ladies were welly housed frome thea elements. Certainly had these arrangements not been taken in hand as early as they were wa should all have fared very badly for the Captain had to desert the ship that night, Saturdays Ank armed guard was kept over each of the camps. and perfect ordem prevailed. Most of the creme and Chinese passengers were wet through thes whole time, but they soon set to work and rigged up tents of blankets and leaves the next day, Sunday, and in time I counted over 20 different e camps. Mind you, we had about: 165 people here and perhaps 10 more at the other camp on the beagh Fortunately near at hand was ĉa fine: stream of good water which proved s
grenta blessing. By means of bigricampfires and tis ready hands food was cooked and clothes dried. This day was employed by part of the crew and some natives bringing up the stores and
The Hon. R D. ORMSBY said that all His Excellency the General had said met with his strongest support. When he put his name down on the list he considered he was letting himself in for at least 20 drills a year. He thought that when men were entrusted with rifles and wore uniforms it was very little indeed to call upon them to do as much as the General had suggested they should do that was to be enrolled as Volunteers and to so I soon asentained that she was making water, baggage landed the day previousis ar kawan appear at inspections. The General had said nothing about drill, though he for one would be glad to attend a certain number of drills, because he did not see how they could appear at inspections without. They would present a very awkward appearance if they could not
stand in line:
The CHAIRMAN then proposed-"That the members who have joined the Home Guard accept General Gascoigne's proposal that we enrol our selves as a reserve company of the Volunteers." Mr. MeXON seconded and the proposition was carried with five or six dissentients.
The CHAIRMAN said that of course those gentlemen who did not agree with the proposal would have the opportunity of withdrawing their names. In conclusion he said he thought they owed General Gascoigne a very hearty vote of thanks for coming down there on such a hot day and giving them such an interest ing speech. (Applause)
This was all the business.
Provisions and water were brought up for the boats. My only dread was that we might have to leave before daylight, for the night and dark. ness seemed to have no end, and my eyes could not pierce the blackness to see where we could safely go with the boats for shelter or a landing place. To have had to jump for it I fear there would have been an awful loss of life, as the surf backwash was very strong. At this time when I feared the worst a servant brought some biscuits round, and in trying to eat one, I made my first success in moulding a brick it would not go down. The heat too has truly awful even on deck and to venture down below was worse than going into an oven.
The ladies and, in fact, all the passengers, were cool and collected from the time the ship struck, and when the moon began to a show its pale light the sea and darkness lost much of their terror. By daylight the ship was fast filling in There is considerable uneasiness, says a home all compartmente except engine and boiler paper,, among the British public on scoount of space. A full head of steam had been raised the excessive purchases of smokeless steem cost on all the boilers with a view of backing her by Francsiand Rossinua sosten nonsai (bar al cluoff, but it was useless work,
MEÐTÍVOD SUNLA phill o
The ship was discovered to be breaking about the midship section Gould not board herías it was so rough, the sess makingüs clean breach! might over fore and after famil
In the afternoon the Captain got the native Headman to take a message to the President ofte Palpan with a view to sending it on fori assists!: ance. Mr. Smith and Mr. Sprague volunteered: to accompany him and see it put thringhy
Weather ställisqually, with heavý rains during the night Monday Weather moderating slightly, and late in afternoon the chief ombers. boarded the vessel and obtained some rios four and other stores Tuesday Weather modera- ting and barometer rising. Fitne
Cleaned out the camp and laidi son-sand for flooring, which at least made it sweet and clean. This being very swampyground, with ankle deep, and such moist atmosphères i very unpleasant. The natives brought us fowls! and soulf.; More:atures were obtained and a lot of articles, were salved fremai
During afternoon Mr. Smith and Mr eil together with the broth of Paluan on pony sured us all that, and, as soon as E should have a
shou
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