CO129-144 - Sir MacDonnell & Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [3-5] — Page 83

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THE CHINA MAIL.

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, MAR. 5, 1870,

The

THE FREDERIC THE Java Bode of the 8th February, con- tains the following account of the burn- ing of this coolie ship in Batavia roads :---- Last Friday there came to the outer roads here, the Belgian suip Frederic, 803 tons burden, having on board 379 Obinese coolies, and two womon, bound from Hongkong to Callao, A. Nicaise being the captain, and also supercargo, At Hongkong, which the vessel left on the 19th January, unpleasant- fuess had already taken place, and two at- tempts to set fire to the ship had been made, which were found out in time, and frust- rated, with little trouble. According to the statements of the Chinese interpreter, the colies were coutinually talking about, and conversing on the subject of arson, ship passed through Gaspar Straits in going to Batavia, to take in water and fresh pro- visions, and afterwards it was intended to continue the voyage direct to Callao. On the 6th, the day after her arrival at Bata- via, the Captain, who was on shore, on the point of going on board, learned at 4 p.m. that his ship was on fire. Shortly after- wards he found that the ship was wholly in daines. so that it was found to be impossi ble to get on board. The crew had put the Chinese to the pumps, to endeavour to sub- due the flames, while they themselves took the necessary measures consequent on the conflagration; the principal being to get the vessel into shallow water and sink her, This, however, appeared to be impracticable, because, in the first place, there was no wind, and in the second place, because the flames shot forth fiercely in every direction from the deck, so that the salls and rigging were almost instantly in flames.

Thereupon leave was given to the Chinese soolies to jump overboard, and endeavour to save themselves as well as they could, for from the rapidity with which the flames spread themselves, and consumed the rig. ging, de, there was no possibility of get-

ting out the boats, with the exception of the life boat, and another, both belonging to the Captain, which were attached to tho stern, having been thus kept ready for any sudden emergency. All the woodwork obtainable was flung to the swimming Chi- nese, so that they might avail themselves of it in saving their lives. The crow and 52 Chinese got into the two boats above mentioned, which would not hold more; however, the boats and other craft came hastily on from all sides, and picked up the Chinese, as also did the steam launch of the guard ship, and the steamer Chilliwung, in which wero the Resident and Assistant Resident of Batavia. Captain Nicaise weut on board the steam launob, which attached a line to the fore part of the burning ship, as to endeavour to have her towed into shal- low water. Through the low steam power of the launch, this plan miscarried. The Chilliwong then took over the

line, which was, however, reached and severed by the flames shortly afterwards. As the fire spread itself with amazing swiftness, it became impossible to make fast a fresh line. The cathead of the starboard anchor was also consumed by the flames, whereby the anchor dropped, and thus the vessel lay fast. Consequently she was burned to the water's edge. Four of the rescued Chinese died immediately, and twelve others are missing, who swam away in the direction of Islands in the roads and bave possibly reached them. Of the residue of the cargo (cordage and Chinese articles of trade) nothing has been saved. The crew, also, have not succeeded in saving any of their property. Through the good care of the authorities, the coolies have been lodged in the buildings of the fish market. Their good condition, and outward appearance, giving evidence that they had not been ill- treated on board.

The fire was first discovered between- decke under the after batch, on the larboard side, around the rice. The hatches be tween-decks were grated, and if we take into account what occurred in Hongkong roads, and the conversations on the subject of arson among the coolies during the voy- age, and consider their connection with this calamity, it is pretty plain that we may conclude it to be very possible that ill-will may have caused some of the most malevo- lent of the coolies to throw fire and com- bustibles among the rice through the gratings of the Latchways.

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