Fire_Services_1960-1961 — Page 11

9th June, 1960-TYPHOON 'MARY'

Between 1546 hours on 8th June and 2345 hours on 9th June, 1960, Typhoon 'Mary' caused flooding, land slides and house. collapses in many parts of Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. In Hong Kong 17 calls were received to landslides and house collapses and 38 calls to electrical fires. In Kowloon, 15 calls were received to house collapses and 23 calls to electrical fires. In the New Territories, one call was received to a landslide at Sha Tin and two calls to electrical fires.

By far the worst hit place in the Colony during the typhoon was the small island of Cheung Chau. There, the full force of the typhoon did widespread damage to fishing boats and houses. The foundation of the Fire Station situated near the sea-wall, was undermined and the building had to be evacuated. In this small island alone, casualties amounted to 18 dead and 9 missing, presumed drowned. Elsewhere in the Colony 32 people lost their lives.

In addition to the damage to the Cheung Chau Fire Station, the Department lost one small fire engine when the road at Fortress Hill, Hong Kong, subsided, taking both engine and crew into a hole 20 ft. deep. Fortunately, the crew were able to clamber to safety, but the engine with equipment was a total loss.

21st March, 1961-CAPSIZE OF THE Bucket Dredger, Yau Wing at ABOUT 50 YDS. OFF-SHORE NEAR TIN CHIU Street, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG

A call for assistance was received by the Fire Services Control at 0414 hours on 21st March, 1961 to go to the rescue of some crew members trapped in a capsized bucket dredger about 50 yards off-shore near Tin Chiu Street, North Point. Two fire boats and four fire appliances together with ambulances responded to the call. Four men had been rescued by workmen from a nearby barge before the arrival of the Fire Services, but four others were still trapped in the dredger. Fire Services frogmen went into action immediately. Holes were drilled in the bottom of the dredger and compressed air from one of the fire boats was pumped into the hull. Soon after, two of the workmen were released by cutting holes in the bottom of the dredger. With the assistance of the Marine Department, Royal Navy and the local dockyards, several attempts were made to rescue the remaining two men, but unfortunately these efforts were not successful

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