1934-03-16 — Page 7

FULL STORY OF

FULTON DISASTER

BRILLIANT SEAMANSHIP BY H.M.S. WISHART'S COMMANDER

Cause Of Disaster And After Affects

"Ex:reme coolness and splendid; discipline in the face of a perilous. situation by the officers and men of the U.S.S. Fülton, were largely instrumental in preventing the loss of a single life." said Commander P. Todd of H.M.S. Wishart, yester- lay morning to a representative of the "Hongkong Daily Fress."

Commander Todd stated that at the time of the dutbreak of fire on the U.S.S. Fulton, the Wishart was on pirate patrol about 12 miles North of the Fulton's position. At about 3.20 p.m. they intercepted a message from the s,s. Tsinan that that vessel had noticed green and red ghis and that it was belleved a ship was on fre. The Wishart proceeded immediately to the direction given. · and after covering half the intervening dis- tance received yet another message definitely stating that a vessel was on fire.

Owing to the Fulton drifting and the heavy weather prevalling at the time-there was a heavy ground swell and a gale-the Wis- hart after about three hours ar rived on the scene.

"have nothing bui admiration for the men of the Fulton," he said. The fire had begun spread- ing over the whole ship when we arrived and there was not the slightest sign of panic on board. We ran alongside about three times and took the men of."

"On one occasion the bow of the Fulton caught us for'ard on

starboard side and, holed us badly. It was well above the water-line however, and presented little danger.".

A Real Blero.

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1934.

NORVIKEN

PIRATED

Taken To Chilang Point

The-s.s. Norviken, a ship under eburter to the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company, put into Swatow yesterday. twenty-fou hours overdue. She reported that she had been pirated.

The ship was on a voyage from Shanghai to Hong Kong when twenty-two men seized it in the early hours of Tuesday morning. They remained in control until Wednesday morning. The leaders of the pirates brought the ship to Chilang Point. The ship had meanwhile been looted and the wireless apparatus dismantled and

One of the men said: "There, was an officer aboard the Tsinar thrown overboard.

Boats waiting at Chilang took who volunteered to take the xS~ | wain's place in our motorboat. We the pirates off. Ten passengers were all pretty well done, but lie were carried off for ransom. took over and with a couple of our men made several trips bring- ing the boys off. It's too bad we don't know its name because he deserves an honourable mention. He did a nice bit of work”

The men living at the Naval Club in the new Canteen received about 100 of the rescued treu and set about fixing them for a comfortable

night. Fifty More are at the Sailors' and Soidlers' Home and the rest are on the Cumberland pending "instructions from Manila,

Billy The Cat. The saving of Billy the ship's cat was one of the many episodes of the fire.

round

to

Shipping Fitter A. 3. Roy, First Class, narrated the story.

"As soon as we had in taxe to Lae water some of the men vent look for Billy. He was playing about in the aft part of the ship and we grabbed him to take along with us.

"We had nowhere handy to put him so one of the men tipped out a basket of potatoes and dropped Billy in. He was taken on board the Cumberland

If

and when the

roll-call was taken we were able to announce that he was present.

Praise for Officer.

High praise for Commander Tod, of HMS. Wishart, was expressed by Lleut. G. J. Phelan, of the US. "We were only able to run along-S. Fulton. The feat of seamanship side the bow as the stern of the in bringing the Wishart alongside Fulton was so low in the water.

the blazing Fulton was described Those men marooned on the aft

as a marvellous piece of seaman- part of the' ship were rescued by

ship, which undoubtedly saved boats and rafts."

many ilves.

"

Praise For Wishart.

"There was a moderate sea with a swell running at the time and this made running" alongside ra- ther difficult.

American sailors housed at the Saflors and Soldiers' Home and at the Seamen's Institute. praised the seamanship of the Commander of the Wishart, remarking on his wonderful seamanship in bringing the Wishart alongside the Fulton on several occasions, in spite of the bad conditions prevalling at the time.

The cause of the Are is alleged to have started from the engine room, where an exhaust, pipe blew up, causing oll to fly in all direc- tions and as a result of which the engine room" became a blazing in- ferno in less than no time!

Thriling tales of rescues were on all the rescued sailors' lips. some remarking" how some of their men were compelled to jump over- board and swim to the rafts, when temporarily left on the Fulton with

4

H.M.S. Wishart this morning bears evidence, of the damage she received in going alongside the Ful- Lon. On the starboard side of the bow. well above the water-line, there is a V-shaped hole over eight feet in length, while six plates on the side of the ship are broken and three on 'deck ripped up.

EMPRESS OF

BRITAIN

Brings Old Friends

SHIP MASTER'S CLAIM

Concluding Addresses By Counsels

JUDGMENT RESERVED

Judgmont was reserved by His- His Lordship said there had been- Honour Mr. Justice Macregor no mention of the officers' records. in the case in which Capt. Beer is In the case of Mr. Brown, the wit- claiming $1.383 from the Foo Hongnesa had a very long career at se,

Discrepencies Steamship Company for wrongful dismissal.

Mr. H. C Macnamara, instructed by Mr. G. K. Hafi Brutton, repre- sented claimant, and Mr. H. G. Sheldon; instructed by Mr. W. A. Mackinlay, appeared for defen-

tanta.

Mr. Steldon in his final address said the first point to be decided was steamer what happened to the Kamo on the night in question. In this there was an acuto condict of evidence and after His Lordship

Mr. Macnamara went on to say there was nothing extraodinary about a gunner taking over watch. In England, he would probably be known as the second mate

Counsel concluded by pointing out further discrepencies in the evidence of witnesses for the de fence.

Judgment was reserved

had weighed and balanced the KIUKIANG NOTES

testimony the conclusion to be dr rived at was that she either went ashore or struck something—a rock or a reef or any other object. Capt, Reer's evidence was quite specific about it. He told the Many familiar faces are included wireless officer to send a message. in the staff of the Canadian Pacifiu that they were stranded and sub- world cruise liner Empress of sequently told the Court that the Britain due here to pay for her an.hlp had either struck fishing Captain it. 6. Latto, stakes and or a suspended junk uua! call. Commodore of the Canadian Pack Fishing stakes were never put in he fleet is again in command. Pro- seventy feet of water... The evid- motion has elevated Commander ence of the Chief Officer and Chief W.G. Busk-Wood, R.N.B., from the Engineer was quite different, they rank as Chief Officer in which he struck a reef or" rock 100 or 200 has many friend locally, to Staff-yards from the shore, and the Captain, a promotion that was wireless officer had stated that he widely hailed as fitting by the press was instructed to send out an S.0.8. of Great Britain and America when it was announced at the close of last year's cruse. The Chief Officer is Commander A. f. Meikle, R.N.R..

Henderson Directs Again

Edward Henderson, paying his sixth successive visit, is again Cruise Director and has with him as members of his busy staff such old friends as G. A. McEvoy; Mar in DeMuth, Mrs. Lucy Kerr Mr. De Math; J. H. Armstrong; J. D. Luther, and Colin Hull, all of whom are well known as annual visitors to the port.

Speaking of the cruise prospects to New York reporters, just before the Empress of Britain sailed on January 4, Mr. Henderson pointed out that the cruise list is one of the largest recorded for some years.

Additional members of this year's cruise staff are J. C. Norton, S. Scott J. A. C. Blair; F. F. Scri- ven: N. M. Hacz; G. T. Frayne, teneral Agent, Cruises, and second in command of the C.P.R. Cruise Department at headquarters in outreal; and A.M. Irwin, Steam- ship Press Representative at head- quarters who, in addition to acting as Press Representative for the a signal at 10.40. last night to pró-world cruise, is special representa ceed to the scene of the disaster, tive of several Canadian and United was under way in less than an States news-gathering organizations hour, and early this morning a and magazines for whom he is writ party was able to board the Ameri-ing special series of articles during can gunboat.

the ture

There are also four big dents on the port side. and the port anchor has beco badly bent,

Whitshed on Scene,

H.M.S. Whitshed, which received

The Fulton was found to be com- pletely gutted amidships and was still smouldering.

The Naval Yard tug. the Poet Chaucer, has also proceeded to the scene and is towing the Fulton to Jank Bay.

It is learned that men of H.M.S. Whitshed who had been placed aboard the U.S.S. Fulton as a

a blazing wall of flames dividing salvage party had a narrow es- the ship amidships.

cape "esterday morning, during towing operations by the Poet Chaucer.

One of the Fulton's engineers de- cribing the cause of the disaster slated:

"We were in the engine room about 6.30 p.m., when suddenly the main exhaust blew out. The flames caught the "oll tank and there was an explosion." The fire became uncontrollable within the space of a few seconds, and had worked its way up in a jiffy"

Leggus, one of the fireman, tell

down overcome by the fumes, but he was dragged out none the worse for his experience,"

An explosion occurred on board the still smouldering vessel The exact nature of the explosion is not know. but it is thought that some The salvage party was hastily withdrawn.

ammünition blew up.

!!

Rough weather is being experi- sent out to assist the Poet Chaucer.

enced and another tug has been

The U.S.S. Fulton which was towed from the scene of her dis- aster in Blas Bay by the Admiral- ty Tug Poet Chaucer, arrived at

late yesterday after

A Filipino Meas Boy Tajavilla. sustained broken leg, while Junk Bay Marine Shenewerk sustained crush- | noon,

1

Second Class Electrician Burke was another of the injured, fall-" ing on his back into one of the. rescue boats. sustaining severe shock. The threa injured, together with Coxwain Healy who was badly gassed and others who sustained minor injuries. were removed to the Royal Naval Hospital early yesterday morning.

Fulton had been made fast,

Chinese Choral Society

Famous Movie Director On Honeymoon Aspirants to movie fame and for- tune will be on the lookout for a blunde young man who looks far too young to be one of Hollywood's outstanding directors.

Conflict Or· Evidence

If Capt. Boer was to be believed in this conflict of evidence, has the incident was so small that he did not think it warranted verbal reporting to the owners, why did he insruct the wireless operator to send out an S.O.S. It was Coun sel's submission that the ship struck some kind of reef or rock.

Then there was the suggestion of conspiracy between the Chief Officer Chiof Engineer and the wireless officer.

#

Mr. Macnamara:-That is not part of my case.

Mr. Sheldon: I agree you wouldn't make it so.

An Indication Of

Spring!

On December 18th. I wrote down the following observation "I have just observed the flight northward of four different flocks of wild swans. Does this portend an early Spring here, or in Siberia"? Their high and regulat "V" shaped flight, seems to denote migration." Now on February 21st we are having a return of Winter, after a period of Spring like weather, but I have not

seen another swan since the day I wrote the above. This seems to indicate that the swans did antici- pate an early Spring. "How many of us see as clearly as these swans what is indicated by present con- ditions in this physical world?

We have passed the Lunar New Year here in peace and quietness, and, the people of the place seem to have enjoyed the usual festi- vitles. In spite of the swarms of some parts, there is beggara in

comfort comparative an air of and contentment about the aver age man on the street. There is much sighing over the vanishing It is prosperity of the past. Mr. Macnamarat-The first per- somewhat ominous too, that quite son to utter the word conspiracy a number of old and seemingly was Mr. Sheldon.

are not well established firms, Mr. Sheldon, continuing asked

opening this year. They prefer why these officers should give to close up while there 13 still grossly perjured evidence in Court

something in the cash box, rather and suggested that the only reason

than to continue losing money suggested by Capt. Beer, that he until the bed rock of poverty is had threatened to report them for reached. Yet if you were able to being drunk at Sunto was untrue.

come with me on to our Bund It had been suggested in cross-

when there are three or four large examination yesterday that Jamieson refused to sail. in one of ver steamers tied up alongside Mr. Williamson's ships, because it their respective halks, you would was carrying contraband. There be inclined to say This is & was no evidence that any ship of prosperous port": At such a time Williamson and Company had ever there is usually a long oscillating carried contraband, and the ques-string of coalies like busy ants, tion should never have been put, carrying cargo to and from the said Mr. Sheldon.

Mr.

various steamers. These busy men Concluding, Mr. Sheldon said accompanying their work with the that if his Lordship found that "fting up to their voices", cer- Capt. Beer was habitually negli- tainly give the bystander the gent or had been negligent on this impression that things are moving occasion, then the breaking of the here. Some time ago I counted occasion, was justified. His Lord-sixteen truck chassis, just landed ship was there to protect captains from one of the steamers, besides as well as owners of vessels on the three or four cars.

This looks China const. The evidence of Mr. ❘ like business, but I'm afraid it is Kirby, Secretary of the China Coast unproductive business, for which The young man is Mervyn LeRoy Officers' Guild, was extraordinary, the taxpayer is made to groan. who is honeymooning aboard the in that he did not state that Empress of Britain with the former Capt. Beer was wrongfully dismiss Doris Warner, daughter of anothered but that he should have been movie executive, to whom he was suspended from service, married in New York the day be fore the start of the cruise.

LeRoy, youngest full-fledged direc- Lor in the American motion pleture industry, devotes his talents to the productions of Warner Brothers First National and has to his credit many of the most outstanding pic tures of the past few years, Eve of which wore what the industry calls

Kiaklang has had rather a bad-

bandit scare when a large body of Reds came to within ten miles of this place. Nine gunboats were Mr. Macnamara

soon swinging at anchor, just off Repying, Air. Macnamara said the Bund, and seeming to Say the extraordinary conflict of evid-See what we can do, when duty ence had given rise to much diff calls, or "danger." cuity" and the only way to decide! The weather continues dry, but the question was careful regard the river is rising at the rate of for the fact that were absolutely about nine inches per day. This indisputable. The first two in- should soon relieve the difficulty cidents which were alleged in Mx of mavigation, caused through Sheldon's arguments had been con- lack of water. ** sanaah hits." These five pictures doned. The main incident was Ock- Annie," "Little Caesar," "I Am a of Capt. Beer would he justified if are Five Star Final," "Tugboat sew Island. The owner's dismissal Fugitive From a Chain Gang," and he conccated the incident. The ship might have struck a mass of water. "The Gold Diggers of 1933.

logged timber, but the salient point. was that she was travelling, at nine knots, when the struck something. This was admitted.

Mr.

FEW FIRST-RATE

BRAINS

Principal's, Assessment

Drawing on forty years' experien ce of university life and work, Sir Charles Grant Robertson, princip-

ed fingers as a result of falling HMS, Whitshed which stood by heavily.

returned to port soon after the songs and sea shanties. Violin solos will also be contributed by Mr. Oswald Lyen. Lt Col C. H. It was clear from the evidence Kuhne will accompany throughout, of Mr. Hamsay that Capt. Beer zaw The concert is under the dis-him on July 22 and left two docu- tinguished patronage of His Ex-ments, the report and the log abal of Birmingham University, states cellency the Governor and Laay stract, the latter containing the Feel, while, the Right-Reverend report of the accident/ the Bishop of Hong Kong, Str

Sheldon: It Wan never William Horneil, the Vice-Chan- stated by Mr. Ramsay that he cellor of the University. Com-received two documents from Capt. Another cook, Schmidt was bad- The Chinese Choral Society give modore F. Elliott, Dr. Wu, and Beer on that Saturday, ly purned on the hand "aad was Its first concert in the Great Hall many others have shown their Mr. Macnadhara:-We are say- also one of those admitted to of the Hong Kong University, sympathetic interest and supporting there are two documents. Hospital yesterday.

Bonham Road (No. 3 bus from It is understood that there is Continuing, Mr. Macnamara sald When one of the rescuing vessels Blake Pier) on Saturday, March a great demand for tickets, and, that all of Capt. Beer's evidence algnalled that she..could come no 24 at 9 p.m. Admission is by while these may be obtained at had been disbelieved. He had been nearer to the burning ship, the ticket ($1 or 50 cents) which may the University on March 24, those working for Williamson for five Wishart steamed in alongside. be obtained from the Tsang Fook who desire to support this effort years, and it was rather curious "IŁ WES a great plece of sea- Music Co., or from any member of are advised to obtain them be- that now for the first time they find manship," said of the Fulton of-the choir.

forehand.

that he lean-inveterate liar.Refer=

in his annual report, made patic to-day, that he is convinced that 1. The percentage of really first-rate brains in any class and all classes of the nation totalied together is very small-perhaps 4 or at most 5 per cent of the whole.

2. The success" of any unl- versity depends on securing its share of this 5 per cent.

3. At the bottom of the scale: there is an uncomfortably large} percentage-perhaps 20 per cent. in all, classes-which is subfor- cers. "Her bows were badly At this concert the Chair will This is the first time that a con-ring to the point of officers being mal in intellectual capacity. smashed against the aide of the render items comprising Glees, cert has ever been given by a drunk, Mr. Macnamara said he pat "The ploughed BA is not a ship but she drew right up along-part-songs, folk songs and sea Chinese choir in the history of the it with full confidence that these university but a civic and social alde. There was no rush by the shanties. Bolos will also be sung Colony and it is hoped that the officers only worked för Williamson problem. The BA. who ought to men to jump straight on the Wis- by Miss Irene

LRAM first of the new Chiness" Choral and Company Because they found have been ploughed, but some- hart. Throughout the whole in- A.R.C.M., and Capt. Joce, While Society a welcome addition to the it difficult to get work elsewhere, bow or other was not, is the reall aldent they took their orders from Mias Dora King and Capt. Joee musical, activities of the Colony- because of their bad records. Mr. problem of university education the bridge.",

will join with the choir in folk will be a great success.

Sheldon objected to the statement, and appointments boards."

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