1914-06-01 — Page 3

Page

THE “EMPRESS

DISASTER.

HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED..

GRAPHIC STORIES BY THE CAPTAIN AND OTHER SURVIVORS.

OVER A THOUSANI) PEOPLE PERISHED: 150 PASSENGERS: AND 327 CREW SAVED.

[THROUGH REUTER'S AGSNOY]

LONDON, May 31st The best account of the disaster yub received is given by a London solicitor Mr. Duncan. He was it bed when he heard two blasts, signifying that the Vessel was stopping, and then the engines were reversed He went on deck and found that they were in a fog. Suddenly there was a terrific crash and tearing of plates. There was no panic among the crew, who endeavoured to help the women, the male passengers handing to them their own lifebelte, but there was no time to organise anything. The vessel lurched and everything was hurled into the sea. The cries of the drowning people were terrible for a time, some fighting Mr. Duncan felt naked in death grips. Then there was an ominous silenca. hodies under his foot. He was in the water an hour. The officers of the ship,

in the water he says. Eaced death fearlessly. Captain Kendall remained on the bridge doing

MONTREAL, May 31st.

his utmost in the hopeless circumstances,

It is authoritatively stated that the weather was misty When the lights of the collier Storstadt were seen by the officers of the Empress of Ireland Captain Kendall gave the order to stop and blew his whistles. The Storstadt answered the blasts. She was then two miles away. Captain Kendall gave orders, to go astern. The Storstedt apparently thought she could cross the bows of the Empress, but, suddenly plunging to starboard, she pierced the Empres plates like tin, afterwards backing out, leaving

A

yawning gap.

THE CAPTAIN'S STATEMENT.

Biouss, June 1st.. Captain Kendall, of the Empress of ireland, giving evidence at the inquest, confirmed the account given above, adding that when the Storstadt was a ship's length distant, he megaphoned to her to go asters, and simultaneously he put the Empress full-speed ahead. After the collision had occurred he asked the Storstadt to continue going ahead, in order to fill up the hole, but the Storstadt backed out. Captain Kendall said he then tried to beach his ship, but her engines Within three minutes the ship was filling, and he ordered tho boats to be launched. There was no explosion.

were useless.

LOSS OF SILVER BULLION.

A million dollars' worth of silver bullion was lost in the Empress of Ireland.

RESCUE WORK.

Oas of the telegrams which reached as on Saturday stated that from a mass of confusing and contradictory reports the main facts of the disaster are believed to be as follows -

The collier Storstadt, ul 3,561 tons, rammed the Empress of Ireland, which The Empress sank in a few was stationary, in a fog, striking her amidships. minutes in nineteen fathoms of water.

The Storstadi, though crippled, stood by and picked up 300 people alive, while the Eureka and the Lady Evelyn rushed up and succeeded in rescuing 309 nore, those being landed at Rimouski.

Twenty-two of those taken to Rimouski died from injuries received. Captain Kendall, of the Empress of Ireland, was found floating on some wreckago half an hour after the disaster. (He was reported in a later telegram to be dying from the effects of exposure but this was evidently an exaggeration.)

THE DEATH ROLL.

It is officially announced that 1,032 persons were drowned,

A Montreal telegram on Saturday stated that a prominent business man of that City, Mr. G. W. Henderson, a surviver, had telegraphed that the death roll was 1,030. This closely corresponds, with the official announcement made later and given above

AMONG THE MISSING.

The passengers of the Empress included Mr. J.-F. Cox Edwards (formerly of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank), Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Graham, ef Hongkong, and Mr. Darling of Shanghai.

Mr. Cox Edwards was rescued but he died after lauding. The names of Mr. and Mrs. Graham do not appear in the list of survivors. Mr. Darling was saved -by Sir H. Beton Karr forcing a lifebelt on him while he went to seek another.

The names ol Bir Seton Kair, Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Irving, the Salvationist Commissioner Rees and Mrs. Rees, and the Salvationist Colonel Maidment are not in the list of survivors.

There were 160 Salvationists on board, including a crack Canadian Band. Only twenty were saved.

* Many prominent Englishi business men arc nisi missing.

THE SURVIVORS.

A telegram: received by us on Saturday stated that the Canadian Pacific Railway Company had recsívud “roundabout reports” that all the passengers had been saved, but later came a telegram from Quebec reporting the arrival there of 306 survivors and giving the figures as followÉ :---

First-class Passengers

Second-dass passengers.

Stcorage, rasscogers Crew

Left in train at Rimouski.

29

29

101

300

The revised figures, the telegram added, show that 1,387 souls were on board the Empresa: hence probably 934 perished.”

TRAIN CONVEYING SURVIVORS TO QUEBEC DERAILS.

The special relief train carrying the survivors from Rimouski to Quebec detailed shortly after leaving Rimouski, but fortunately none of the passengers were injured

THE EMPRESS" PASSENGER LIST,

The official passenger list of the Empress of Ireland, received earlier, gave the following figures, though it was added that they were uncertain

First-class Passengers Second-class passengers. Third-class Passengers, Crew

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, JUNE 1st.

THE C.PR OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.

The local Office of the O.P.R Co. received yesterday the following account of the disaster

The steamer Storstadt collided with the Empress of Ireland about six miles N.E. of Father Point, 180 miles below Quebec. She struck the Emprcas abaft the after funnel, tearing a hole to the propellors. The steamer sunk in 14 minutca 150 of the passengers and 327 of the crew were saved out of a total of 1,460. Router's are cabling a list of the saved."

WORLD-WIDE SYMPATHY

The disaster has evoked world-wide sympathy.

His Majesty the King has telegraphed his sympathy to the Canadian Pacific Railway Co., and a Mansion House Fund has been opened.

The President of Franes cabled condolences to King George, and M, Viviani, Minister of Marine, telegraphed to Mr. Winston Churchill expressing the of the French Navy.

In the Canadian House of Commons the Prime Minister (Mr. Borden) said it was appalling that ship carrying 1,300 passengers, within a few hours from Quebec, should sink in ten minutes. Apparently the accident was unpreventable hy any means that could be devised for the safety of navigation.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier recalled that this was the third accident of the kind on the St. Lawrenes since the opening of the river to navigation.

The newspapers dwell upon the profoundly disquieting fact that such a disaster is possible with a liner whose equipment and navigation word irreproachable.

The Eureka had fifty bodies on board.

A London telegram says that there is much indignation over the delays and contradictory announcements on Friday,

HONGKONG PASSENGERS ON THE

EMPRESS OF IRELAND."

THE FATE OF ME AND MRS. W. D. GRAHAM.

ago.

Unhappily the latest telegraphic “information received regarding the appalling disaster in the Gulf of St. Lawrence leaves little room to doubt that Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Graham are among the thousand people who have perished in the disaster. Mr. and Mrs. Graham, who have long resided in the East where they have a wide circle of friends, left for Home on holiday a couple for my pucked from here passages across the Atlantic in the Empress of Ireland. En route they had arranged to stay at Vancouver for a while with their old friend, Captain Pybus, Mr. formerly of the C.P.R service. Graham managed the Hongkong branch of Messrs. Wilkinson, Heywood & Clark, Ltd., paint and varnish manufacturers, and also did a commission and general import business under the style of Douglas Graham & Co. He was well- known in most ports of the East and was greatly esteemed by all who knew him. He was & Justice of the Peace of the Colony, and member of the Committee of the Hongkong Club Mr. and Mrs. Graham lived at Yalta." Mount Kellet, The Peak. The news that they were on board the ill-fated ship and that their names were not among the survivors came as a great shock to their many friends in the Colony, and the deepest sorrow is universally expressed, They were about fifty years of age and hare, no family.

3 COX EDWALDS.

Mr. Cox Edwards, who was among the rescued, but who we regret to state has since died, had a great number of friends in Hongkong. Until a year or two ago he was on the staff of the Hong kong and Shanghai Bank, and was for some time chief sccountant at the Head Office of the Bank in Hongkong. Having been left a considerable sum of money he retired two years ago. Mr. Edwards had been spending the winter in the East renewing friendships formed in most ports in China, and Japan. The news received yesterday that he was among the survivors was welcomed by his many friends 'in Hongkong, bat we regret to state that a telegram reached us last night that he died after landing.

MR. DARLING OF BHANGHAI

The Mr. Darling of Shanghai, who was saved by Sir H. Seton Karr, forcing a life-belt on him while he went

HONGKONG UNIVERSITY.

THE PIRST GRADUATE.

AMERICAN, CITIZEN'S ALLEGED SUICIDE.

FOUND DEAD AT THE SEAMEN'S INSTITUTE

At the Magistracy on Saturday Mr J. B. Wood hold an inquiry into the denti of Fernande Valera, an American citizen of Porto Rico, formerly emplayed in the Canton Customs, and who was found hanging and quite dood in an out building of the Scamen's Institute on the 14th May.:

THE BLUE FUNNEL LINEZ

PRINCE RUPERT MAY BE A PORT OF CALLA

A Press message from Prince Ruport Say

The inclusion of Prince Rupert as a port of call by its fleet of trans-Pacific steamships is under consideration by Messrs, Alfred Holt & Co., operators of the Blue Funnel Line

It is understood that an arrangement

will ultimately be arrived at between the Grand Trunk Pacific Co, and the Blus Funnol Ling, whereby a rugular service of Dr. James Drummond spoke to being steamers will touch at this port, following the completion of the G. T. P. transeon- called to the Institute about 3 p.m. ontinental railway, the last spike of which the 14th May. In the lavatory he found is expected to be driven within the next a man hanging from one of the cistern few weeks. Page supports, being suspended by a piece of In connection with the proposed service, linen. The man must have been dead for Prince Rupert has been made by represen- an inspection of the dockage facilities at two hours. He did to disturb the body tatives of the Blue Funnel Line. Special

In reply to Inspector McHardy witness nid the body was still warm when he first saw it...

Inspector McHardy then asked Do you, us a doctor, think it was not your duty to cut the body down if it was warm?

Witness' reply was in the negative,

Mr. Wood expressed the opinion that the doctor did quite right, The man was dend. I w

Inspector McHardy gave evidence as to cutting the body down and removing it to the mortuary.

William Davies, the manager of We understand that, on Saturday even the Seamen's Institute, said deceased ing, the members of the University Court came to the Institute on May 12th, his and the students of the University were board and lodging expenses having been invited to witness a very impressive guaranteed by the Hongkong Ladies ceremony. The occasion was the presenta Benevolent Society. He understood that

the Society knew something of the man. tion of the degrees of Master of Medicine

The inquiry was adjourned for the and Master of Surgery to Dr. G. H. H.

attendance of Dr. McKenny," Thomas, who is thus enrolled as the first graduate of the Hongkong University.

1*X

inducements will be offered the Holt Com- pany to include Prince Rupert in the itinerary of the trans-Pacific fleet, and it is not anticipated that any difficulty will be experienced in bringing about the inauguration of a first-class freight service between this port and the United Kingdom, 4 the Far East.

In the event of the Blue Funnel Line deciding to touch at Prince Rupert, it is I understood that the present fleet of steamers oporating between Liverpool and Victoria will make regular culls there, both inwards and outwards.”

With the G. T. P. transcontinental railway in operation Prince Rupert will becoin the export terminal for the entire grain crops of Northern Alberta and Buskatchewan. Prince Rupert will also be the distributing centre of a tremendous area, and with a fast line of freight ateamors in operation, the prospects of building up a big trade with the Orient. and United Kingdom appear to be very

bright.

INTIMATIONS

CHS. J. GAUPP & CO.,

WATCHMAKERS

AND

JEWELLERS.

INSTRUMENTS.

SUN

GLASSES.

It is thought probable that the First EASTERN TELEGRAPH COM Congregation for conferring Degrees of

PANIES REPORTS. the University will take place in 1918, when students of the theries of Medi The revenue of the Eastern Telegraph cine, Engineering and Arts will, havo Company for 1913 amounted to £1,402,844,' completed the necessary courses of study from which are deducted £568,953 for and will be eligible for degrees. The ordinary expenses and £122,265 for ceremony for Saturday evening was, penditure relating to maintenance of therefore, private in character and no cables, sundry differences in exchange, academic costume was worn. His Excel-income-tax payable abroad, and interest leney the Governor, Chancellor of the on temporary loans, leaving a balance of brought from the preceding account, The directors have University, conferred the degrees, after £777,526, to which is added £20,382 Dr. Thomas had been introduced by the making £804,008. Dean of the Medical Faculty. Dr. Francis placed £300,000 to the general reserve

fund, and recommend a final dividend of SURVEYING AND NAUTICAL Clark explained the origin of the Hong 11 per cent. and a bonus of 2 per cent, kong College of Medicine and mentioned both payable on May 13, free of tax, and that Dr. Thomas was & Licentiate of that making a total distribution of 7 per cent. for the year. It is proposed to carry farther and forward £28,687. College. By taking

By arrangement with advanced course of study in the Faculty the Indian Government and the Admini- of Medicine of the University he had strations interested in the Indo-European ZEISS PRISM BINOCULARS. route, the tariff between Europe and become qualified for the honour of India, Burma and Ceylon, has been graduation in the University. The Chan-reduced from 28 to 18. 8d. per word, as from the 1st inst. The distribution for coller used the usual formula of by 1912 was also 7 per cent. virtue of the authority entrusted to me,” ete, and so admitted. Dr. Thomas a medical practioner, duly qualitied to practice in London or any other part of the world. The Chancellor's remarks were most happy and suitable to the occasion, After the ceremony the Vice Chancellor of the University (Sir Charles Eliot C.B., K.C.M.G., D.C.L., etc.) entertained a large party to dinner in the University.

His Excellency the Governor proposed the health of Dr. Thomas in one of the most delightful speeches imaginable dignified, as be fitted the occasion, but for a moment lightened by a flash of wonderful humour, which served, to emphasise the serious remarks which followed. Dr. Thomas, in acknowledging the honour done to him, struck a note of modesty concerning him self, and of great confidence in the University.

23

Representatives

LTD..

LONDON.

The report of the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Com- SILVER AND PRINCE'S PLATE. pany for last year states that the gross receipts amounted to £788,120, against The £747,230 for the previous year. working expenses, including £63,462 for maintenance of cables, absorb £364,884, against £31,012, leaving a balance of x363,283.

Alter deducting income-tax and interest on debenture stock, and MAPPIN & WEBB. is an available balance of £370,617, 11: adding £97,538 brought forward, there is proposed to distribute a final dividend of 11 per cent., making a total dividend of 5 per cent. It is also proposed to pay a bonus of 4s. per share, or per cent., making a total distribution of 7 per cent for the year 1912 £130,000 has been transferred to the general reserve fund, and the balance of 230,617 carried forward. A further sur of £201,781 has been charged against the Colombo-Penang cable, general reserve fund on account of the together with £264,245 in part payment. of the new Penang Singapore-Hongkong cables. The sum of £65,052 58. 90. has also been charged against the fund for partial cable renewals, together with 2277,156, the loss incurred on sale of beri. investments, and £17,260 has The Vice-Chancellor then made the credited to the fund in respect of the

DIFT BY MR. ELLIS KAIOORIES

interesting announcement that Mr. Ellis

cost of

the

The sum of

ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS.

CHATER ROAD.

CALDBECK,

Tasmanian picked up cable and stores MACGREGOR&C.

A revised arrangement for week-end letter telegrams exchanged with Austra lasia was introduced on the 1st inst., by which these telegrams are now trans- mitted throughout by telegraph, if it is necessary in order to secure delivery on

Kadoorie, whose name, he said, was well known in connection with education in the Far East, had authorised him to state that be would present to the University 4 sum of $16,000 for the salary of & the Tuesday, and the minimum charge is reduced from 18s, for 24 words to 16s.

to seek another, is, presumably, Mr. Mlecturer on paries for the next four for 20 words From the same date the D. A. Darling, director of Messrs. Samuel, Samuel & Co.

Chronicle, a suburban friend received by A few days ago, says the London post two stall tickets for a popular play "You will never guess who sends you these,” ran the anonymous note accom- panying them, but go and have a good time. They obeyed, enjoyed themselves immensely, and returned home to find their house ransacked.ALAN

78

210

490

413

Giving a total of

191

101.

OPIUM FOR HONGKONG.

years. It was hoped that it would be system was extended to the Straits possible, in some way, to associate the Settlements. sane of Mr. Ellis Kadoorie with this

add that the announcement provoked ctureship. It is scarcely necessary to

loud applause among the many well- wishers of the University present. Mr. Ellis Kadoorie is to be sincerely con- gratulated upon this latest example of his practical interest in the welfare of the Colony

PERTUSSIN.

Is a barmies and effoient remedy against all diseases of the respiratory organs, especialy WHOOPING COUGH, CATARÉH OF CHRONIC BRONCHIAL: LARYNX, ACUTE AND CATARRH, ASTHMA, &c... which has been recognised. unequalled by the highest authorities. Also the AFFECTIONSTM OF THE LUNGS will be greatly relieved by the use of it.

TO BE HAD AT-

THE MEDICAL HALL.

HONGKONG.

A Presis communique, issued at Suala, states: The port of Hongkong was formerly an important entrepot for the opium trade with China, but imports into the Colony from India are now limited to the requirements of internal consump- tion, together with a small number of chiste (160) a year which are allowed to

(ESTABLISHED 1864).

SOLE AGENTS FOR

CANTRELL

&

COCHRANE'S

DRY GINGER

ALE.

THE IDEAL DEINK DUBING THE

in re-exported to certain places in the HOT WEATHER, ETTILER ALONE Far East other than China. The forming

system previously in force in the Colony OR WITH SPIRITS, MUCH HARM has also been discontinued, the admici- stration of opium being now directly in

the hands of the Colonial Government. IS OFTEN DONE BY TAKING CHEAP It has accordingly been settled, in agree-

tent with the latter, that the very limited AND IMPURE MINERAL WATERS - quantity required. (about 45 chests a month) shall be sord direct to the Colonial

Government. The price paid will be the IT PAYS IN THE END TO TAKE

average price realised at the auction sales held in 1914. This arrangement came

into force in January last, and as it ONLY necessitates a reduction, the quantity"

PRODUCT THAT Is

offered for sale by public auction is GUARANTEED TO BE PURE.

reduced by 420 chesta in the year,

"A..

notification is being issued reducing the

normal amount of monthly sales by 8 SEND FOR A FREE SAMPLE. chests from August to December, inclusive.