CO129-420 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [1-2] — Page 457

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A CONFIDENTIAL.

donures

to 5

Sir,

15948 453

Rest Aud

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 17th. February, 1915.

With reference to my Confidential Despatch of

the 30th. December and to the subsequent telegraphic correspond-

-ence on the subject of the S. S. Tannenfels", paraphrases of

which are enclosed, I have the honour to report that the necessary legal steps for the release of the vessel were taken and she was

duly handed over to the Admiralty for transport work.

2.

The Naval Authorities undertook the work of

refitting and converting the ship into a transport. Owing to some

defects which were discovered in the machinery the vessel was not ready for sea until the 3rd. February when in accordance with the Wattached programme drawn up by the Naval Authorities, sile sailed

for Chingwantao for the purpose of embarking the half battalion of

the 36th. Sikhs which had remained in North China.

3.

I may add that the ship has been renamed H. M.

Transport "Basilan" by the Naval Authorities.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

losure

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&c.,

&C.,

&c...

Governor, &c..