647383-1893-Correspondence-re-the-Erection-of-Bokhara-Monument-on-Sand-Island — Page 1

562

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 17TH JUNE, 1893.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 229.

The following correspondence, on the subject of the erection of a monument on Sand Island to the memory of those who perished in the wreck of the Bokhara, is published for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Ollice, Hongkong, 17th June, 1893.

G. T. M. O'BRIEN, Colonial Secretary.

No. 1431.

VICTOR EMANUEL" AT HONGKONG,

9th June, 1893.

SIR, I have the honour to submit for the information of Your Excellency and of the “Bokhara" Committee the accompanying copy of a letter dated 6th June, 1893, from Captain W. H. FAWKES, H.M.S. Mercury, reporting that the "Bokhara" monument has been safely erected on Sand Island near the place where the unfortunate ship struck.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your Excellency's obedient servant,

His Excellency

SIR W. ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.,

$0.

Se.. Governor of Hongkong.

Sen

H. BURY PALLISER, Commodore.

**

REPORTING ERECTION OF BOKHARA" MONUMENT.

H.M.S. "MERCURY,"

AMOY, 6th June, 1893.

SIR, I have the honour to inform you that in obedience to your orders, I have erected the monument, in memory of those who were drowned in the P. & O. §, S. Bokhara, on the southernmost, being the highest, point of the northern hummock of Sand Island, near the place where the ill-fated ship struck.

The Chintai at the Pescadores generously gave me the assistance of about 50 soldiers, and has promised to see that the monument is well cared for.

2. The graves, twenty-five in number, on Sand Island, are all well covered, and kept very neatly. 3. I hope I may not be thought presumptuous in suggesting that this further kindness of the Chintai in connection with the loss of the Bokhara may be brought to the notice of the Government at Pekin.

4. We commenced operations about 10 A.M. on the 2nd, and by 4 P.M. on the 3rd, the foundation was laid, the base of the monument suspended from sheers ready to be lowered into its place, as soon as the cement was set, and the monument placed alongside the sheers, ready slung. A working party, on the 5th, placed the monument in position, and re-embarked all stores.

5. Every thing was organized with great fore-thought by Lieutenant TUPPER, and he was ably assisted by Lieutenant DEWIRST, R.N.R., who, as an old P. & 0. Officer, I detailed for this duty. The Officers and men worked well in a very hot sun. I was much pleased with the manner in which Corporal BUCKINGHAM and the two sappers of the Royal Engineers performed their duty.

I have the honour to be,

Sir, Your obedient Servant,

(Signed)

W. H. FAWKES,

Captain.

Commodore

H..B. PALLISER,

Hongkong.