3.
రా
Sum of Five Pounds for dering to make the assertion that it
was intended to cast the ship way; and on my still refusing
to go to sea in the ship until a survey had been held, I was
ordered by the Harbour Master to be detained in Victoria gaol
as Harbour Master's prisoner for 70 days, and the ship was
allowed to proceed to sea the same evening as this verdict was
given.
I should have mentioned that prior to leaving Singapore
the English crew were sent home by passenger ship, and a Japon-
ese crew were engaged. Only the English officers being retained
Four days after leaving Hong Kong, and after the day
I had made the statement, the ship wes totally wrecked at Guam.
On my wife applying(as was her custom monthly) for her
monthly allotment, she was informed that there was no money for
her, and would be no more as I was in prison; this was no doubt
so much a shock to her, especially as an explanation was refused
that she immediately returned to Blackheath, disposed of the
greater part of the home; which was of considerable value, and
disappeared; and in spite of untiring efforts to trace her, I E
have never seen her or heard of her from that day to this, other
than the receipt of an anonymous letter forwarded to me in
Nyassaland, informing me that I was now a widower. (This is still
in mympossession)
After my release from Victoria Gaol in Hong Kong, every
effort was made to prevent my return to London by the Shipping
Kaster (at the time) who was a Portugese Subject, and who ordered
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