C
(Copy) M. 18274.
C.O.
68
38692
RECE
H.B.M. Consulate Gangrak05
August
Manila.
26, 1905.
sir.
I have the honour to forward to you, herewith enclosed, a return of the stranding at 3.30 a.m. on the 17th ultimo, of the British barque "West York", (official number 74,490, port of registry, Hongkong), on an uncharted rock in the China Sea, Latitude 11.06 1. and Longitude 115.01 E., or about 41 W. N. of Flat Island, which latter is about 240 miles to the west of the Island of Palawan. The mate and four of the crew arrived here on the 14th instant, in a small sailing boat, and reported the wreck, informing me that the Master and nine of the crew were left on the island, almost destitute of provisions and dependent on rainfall for water. I at once took steps to have a vessel despatched to their assistance, and there being no man-of-war available at Hongkong, Rear-Admiral Train in responsetu my application, promptly despatched the United States naval collier "Nanshan" (Captain Prideaux) which, after some search, discovered the island, and brought the Master and the nine men safe to Manila,
on the 22nd instant. Here they were placed in the Sailors' Home, and on the 25th instant, they were returned (with the exception of six Japanese of whom the Japanese Consul took care) to Honkong, where they
had been engaged and where the "West York" was owned
and registered.
The "West York", it appears, left Hongkong for
Borneo in ballast on May 22 last, and proceeded safely
on
The Assistant Secretary,
Marine Department,
Board of Trade,
London,