4
next following would be very low, considering how very slowly confidence is regained after such a severe shock as has been administered in this case-the total of these percentages of 140,000 dollars.
The Companies claim, as above stated, 150,000 dollars, and this, they consider, would be the smallest sum which, under the most favourable circumstances in the future, will place them in the position they occupied before this outrage.
Hong Kong, Canton, and Macao Steamboat Company (Limited),
(Signed) W. E. CLARKE, Acting Secretary.
The Indo-China Steam Navigation Company (Limited),
(Signed) JARDINE, MATHESON, And Co.
China Navigation Company (Limited),
(Signed) BUTTERFIELD AND SWIRE, Agents.
Hong Kong, August 11, 1906.
THE Schedule referred to.
1. The direct and immediate loss--
Paid Kwong Shing, arms, &c. Dol. 268.00 Telegrams from Hong Kong Government 12.38 civil hospital- Medical fees: Captain Joslin Dol, c. 130.75 One watchman 2.00 Medical certificates (four) 40.00 Medical expenses at Canton 172.75 Chair hire, taking three watchmen to hospital, and passage money 200.00 3.90 Wages of watchmen 120.00 Mr. Clarke's expenses, Canton 3.75 Estimated repairs to steamer 500.00 Telegrams from Canton 15.00 Captain Joslin's salary 300.00 Estimated medical attendance, two watchmen 100.00 Treasure stolen from cargo.. 1,000.00 Freight and passage money.. 250.00 Demurrage of steamer 2,500.00 Extra coal consumed 150.00 Nine revolvers, at 25 dollars each 225.00 Three Winchester rifles, at 35 dollars each 105.00 1 pair night-glasses 30.00 Legal expenses, say 1,000.00 6,955.782. Passengers' claims against the Companies---
Passengers' claims to hand, 3,530 taels, say 4,900.00 Estimated for claims yet to be received 8,100.00 3. Consequential loss- Estimated at 150,000.00 Total 164,955.785
248
1. The claim of Captain Joslin, who was in command of the "Sainam" at the time when the attack occurred, is unquestionably the most serious of the present claims.
It was clearly part of the preconcerted plan of attack of the pirates to murder all the Europeans on board the steamer. Dr. Macdonald was shot dead, and, from their subsequent treatment of him, the pirates were evidently under the impression that they had similarly killed Captain Joslin, as, after they had shot him, and he lay apparently dead in the front cabin, a number of pirates inspected his body, kicked him, and tore the gold ring from his finger, besides tearing open his clothes in order to look at the shot wound in his body.
Captain Joslin was brought down to Hong Kong and taken to the Government Civil Hospital, where he was detained until sufficiently recovered to move about again. A copy of the medical certificate of the Superintendent of the hospital relating to Captain Joslin is hereto annexed.
Although released from hospital, Captain Joslin has by no means recovered from the very severe nervous shock from which he has suffered since the attack, and he will in the future in all probability never be the same man, or capable of sustaining the same responsibility as he was prior to this event.
His cabin was stripped by the pirates and everything of value that they could find removed therefrom.
Captain Joslin is a man between 40 and 50 years of age, and of fine physique, and prior to this outrage was in the enjoyment of excellent health, and in the ordinary course of events should have been fully capable of continuing in command of steamers for another ten years. In such a position he should have earned an annual salary of 500l., or thereabouts, representing in ten years a capital sum of 5,000l., or, say, 50,000 dollars.
It is more than doubtful now whether Captain Joslin will ever be fit to be, or, in fact, be, intrusted with a command. In such circumstances a compensation assessed upon such a basis as that just suggested would seem but fair and reasonable, and Captain Joslin accordingly claims the sum of 50,000 dollars as compensation for his losses and injuries.
2. The next claim is that of the Chief Engineer, Mr. J. W. Seggie. Mr. Seggie was seriously injured by a stink-pot thrown by the pirates, and only escaped being shot by them by succeeding in reaching the boiler-room and hiding there behind the boiler, so that they were unable to trace him; in so doing, he was further seriously burnt and scorched, and undoubtedly also sustained a serious nervous shock.
In addition, his cabin was looted and all his personal property of any value stolen by the pirates. The value of this personal property he estimates at the sum of 1,500 dollars, and adds to this a claim of 24,000 dollars as compensation for the serious bodily and mental injuries sustained by him by reason of the attack.
3. The Indian watchmen on the "Sainam" at the time in question all sustained personal losses and bodily wounds.
The most seriously wounded was Khan Mahomed, whose wounds are certified to in the medical certificate, of which a copy is hereto annexed. He is still in hospital. His claim for personal losses is as follows:--
Cash Dol. c. 100.00 Money in hand on account of others 80.00 Wife's jewellery 80.00 One ring and one bangle 30.00 One watch and chain 14.00 Four winter uniforms 35.00 One blanket. 10.00 Two blankets 10.00 One box.. 7.00 One umbrella 2.50 8.00 Total 371.50Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
STATEMENT of the Claim of the captain, officers, and crew of the British steam-ship "Sainam" for compensation in connection with the piratical attack on that vessel on the 13th July, 1906, while trading in accordance with Treaty rights on the West River, in the Province of Kwong Tung, in the Empire of China.
THE circumstances in connection with the above-mentioned outrage have been sufficiently detailed in the claim of the joint owners of the steam-ship "Sainam" for compensation in respect thereof, and are therefore not here recapitulated.
The present claim is that of the captain, officers, and crew for compensation for the injuries and losses suffered by them in the matter, and are dealt with in the following order:
His further claim for personal injuries is for the sum of 2,000 dollars, which would seem the least compensation that could fairly be paid to him for such injuries.
The case next in degree of seriousness amongst the Indian watchmen to the foregoing is Ali Akbar, whose injuries are certified to in the copy certificate also hereto annexed. The personal property stolen from him by the pirates he values at 250 dollars, particulars whereof are as follows:-