651055-1892-Wreck-S-S-Bokhara — Page 2

824

THE HONGKONG GOVT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, 18TH OCT., 1892.

In view of this sad calamity not as yet being known in Hongkong, or indeed, anywhere on the mainland, in consequence of the wires having broken down for some time past, I decided to make the best of my way to Swatow to report as soon as possible the news to you by telegraph, so as to enable you to receive tidings a day sooner than my arrival at Hongkong, and then to proceed from Swatow to Hongkong, with those that were saved from this unfortunate ship, without delay.

5. The Porpoise arrived Swatow on Monday, 17th instant, at 10 A.M., and I sent a telegram to you reporting the loss of Bokhara.

*

*

*

*

**

*

*

I left Swatow on Monday, the 17th instant, at 3.15 P.M., and arrived at Hongkong this day at 10 A.M.

6. During the whole cruise strong N.E. monsoon with rough sea was experienced.

**

*

Captain ANGUS MACLEOD, R.N.,

*

*

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

SENIOR NAVAL Officer,

HONGKONG.

Your obedient Servant,

*

J. LESLIE BURR, Commander.

WRECK OF S.S. BOKHARA,

The S.S. Bokhara left Shanghai at noon on Saturday, the 8th October, 1892, experiencing a fresh N.E. monsoon, with following moderate sea, which continued steady until Sunday morning 9th. The Bokhara passed H.M.S. Peacock or Pigmy heading about N.W. and an Austrian Corvette going the

same way.

During Sunday afternoon the wind began to increase, the barometer to fall and weather was getting thick; the position by observation was obtained at noon; no land to be seen.

At 8 P.M. (Sunday 9th) the barometer shewed 29.88 and still falling, the approximate position being about 8 miles east of Tung-yung Island, and the ship's course was then altered to make Turn- about Island.

At 10 P.M. (Sunday 9th) the Commander conferred with his Officers as to the advisability of lay- ing the ship to, as the glass had fallen to 29.77 and there was every probability of a Typhoon to the Southward of the vessel. The sea at that time was very heavy and breaking over her. The "hands" were then turned up and everything was secured for heavy weather.

At midnight the glass was 29.70, and the Cominander had the sails furled, (reefed Foresail, and whole Foretopsail). The Chief Officer went on the bridge at 1.45 A.M. (Monday 10th) and reported everything was ready for laying to. The ship was brought to the wind, going slow, on the port tack, heading from between N. 80 E. to N. 50 E. and behaving exceedingly well although a mountainous sea was running. During this time the wind had been steadily increasing with furious squalls, the weather being so thick that only about mile could be seen all round.

At 4 A.M., Monday 10th, the barometer registered 29.60 and was still falling.

At 6 A.M. the barometer was at 29.55 and, daylight appearing, it was noticed that the water was very much discoloured, after which green water was seen, the lead giving 30 fathoms (mud and sand).

Under these circumstances the ship had reached far enough to the Eastward to put her on the other tack and work down the Formosa Channel until sea and wind should moderate, the glass shew- ing by this time (8 A.M.) 29.50 and the sea and wind being terrific. The ship was put at full speed ahead, and the helm put "hard a starboard;" but she would only come up to three points from the wind and then fall off again, though repeated efforts were made to get her round, with tarpaulins and sails in the rigging to assist; the other sails on being loosed were blown to ribbons.

Attempt was then made to wear, but all to no purpose, the sea and wind being too heavy, so nothing was left but to wait for the weather to moderate.