88
7.
By this time, about 2045, the steamer which bad been identified us the ́s AIRENE, had lost her way and was burning furiously aft, I proceeded alongside bow to stern so sa to get my sonning tower underneath the fiere of ber bows on the starboard (lse)" side as I could then establish communioa- tion by training my gun påatform on the beam. During this operation one or two shots were fired from the IRFIT but it could not been seen from whence those came.
8.
The embarkation of passengers and crew was rendered difficult by the swell and by the fact that it was not poss- ible to get lines out. The IRENE was yowing considerably and it was with the greatest difficulty that the subum.zine was kept under the bow.
I regret to report that four passengers (three male and one female) lost their lives during this operation, two by drowning and two from falling from the forecastle on to the saddle taris. It was impossible to control the panie among the Chinese.
9.
Having cleared the ship as far as the fire would permit I went matern: and hearing ories on the port side of the IRENE went alongside that side and rescued one chinaman who had became entangled with ropes handing over the side. I then proceeded to pick up some men I had observed in the water to Westward and to recover my berthon Bost.
10.
viilu alongside s.5.170K€ 1.3.Submarine L.5 ar ived and I requested her to search for men in the water, which she did, recovering twelve.
11.
At about this time, 2218, 8.4.IRFÆR showed a tendency to lie broadside on to the wind, therefore, as this would cause the fire to spread and also she might drift ashore I decided to archor her. I proceeded alongside her port bow and sent a party to let go the ate board anchor. This was completed at about $245, I remined songɛide until about 8330 and salved a certain amount of passengers effects which had been left on the forecastle,
At 2545 I a aped sourse for How Kong having on board six Furopean ship's orrisers and 226 chinese, among whom were three pirates, Ì arrived at Song
arrived at Song ong at 0318 on 21st Cetoter.
At 0415 Police launches arrived and took charge of Ship's officers, refugees and pirates.
12.
I wish to bring to your notice the excellent behaviour of the officers and men under my command, especially the following i❤
Petty officer Telegraphist william John Dyer,Dev „J „28237 and Telegraphist Charles William King - Dev.3.66618, for the very efficient way in which the V/T communication was carried
E.H.A. 4th Class Thomas ~illiam Duckworth Able Semam Berry Poole Paterson
Stoker I class Edvard #right
Ch.1.34520. Po.J.98603.
Po..01.246.
for the very galimż way in which they repeated dived over the side and rescued drowning Chinese.
Able Setzen Cyril Ambrose Cotton Able Ceaman Charles Thomas Biddlecombe
Dev.J.95884.
Po.J.9E286.
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