CO129-613-8 Reports on Kwang Tung incident 1-2-1948 - 2-6-1948 — Page 39

6.

EVIDENCE OF WOO HOI KEUNG WATCHMAN

ON BOARD THE "KWONG TUNG"

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AFFIRMED.

39

My name is Woo Hoi Keung and I was watchman on

board the "Kwong Tung" at the time of the casualty. I

was stationed at the port after cargo port door on the

main deck. I was maintaining order while deck passerg ers

were embarking. About 7.05 P.M. I saw a flame at the

foot of the stairway on the starboard side. I saw the

canvas hose playing water on the fire which was extinguished

in about 5 minutes. I saw tire extinguishers being used by

members of the crew. There was a serious stampede of

passengers trying to leave the vessel. I saw no baggage

being carried. I saw no one trying to return to the

vessel. I remained at my post throughout. There was a

clear xxxxangex passageway leading to the gangway at the

port after cargo port at the time of the outbreak. The

smoke was white and yellowish. The smoke was heavy

enough to choke people I covered my mouth. The starboard

after cargo port door was closed. Passengers used both.

the stairway leading to the upper deck as well as the

gangway.

escaped.

More people could have used the stairway and

The foregoing is a true record

of the evident I have given.

sd. Woo Hi Keung.