RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1991 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/k356gt84j 151 along the dismantled track ran no trains, under whose wheels we could get our dummy mines, as we had been able to do in Burma where the alarm created by their noisy, if harmless, explosions had often confused the Indian engine drivers. The magistrate was helpful: he devoted two days to tramping round with us from village to village, until we could decide where accommodation for the school might be most suitable; and he promised to build a short length of road to connect the village finally selected with the motor road so that our lorries could drive right up to the door. The village was some miles outside a small country town; I shall call it Chin Ya, the Golden Duck.* New Year's Eve fell while I was making these investigations. The local general, with that consideration which is the charming mark of Chinese breeding, fearing I should be lonely, invited me to dinner. Since arrival in the 3rd War Zone I had asked to be kept informed of any parties of foreigners escaping from Shanghai, but no news of any escapes had come through. It was accordingly with the greater pleasure, as we were sitting down to dinner, that I was surprised by the entry of a tall bearded figure, wearing a long Chinese gown, and heard myself addressed in English. He was the first foreigner to escape from Shanghai, an American, Mr. Hawkins, the manager of one of the branches of the big American bank which had offices in China. He told us his story while we ate our dinner. Having only just returned from leave in the States, he was staying at an hotel, which happened to be near the Bund. Early on the morning of December 7th he was wakened by the sound of gunfire. He went out to investigate and found that Japanese destroyers were sinking H.M.S. Peterel in the Whangpoo River just off the Bund. He realised that war must have broken out and dashed round to his bank to 'phone his manager. He then returned to his hotel, packed a small bag, got into his car, and drove out to the stables in the western suburb, where a friend kept two ponies which he had permission to ride. He saddled the ponies, and riding the one while leading the other, passed through the gate at which a Japanese sentry stood guard where the road crossed the barbed wire barrier surrounding Shanghai. The barrier had originally been put up by the foreign troops holding the * It is in the Tianmushan mountains, near the border of Chekiang and Anhwei, near the country town Anchi ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-2001 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/zg651950g 224 Is that they're not the sort To ever be thought of as frantic. 13 Diana and Charles This group of ours includes all manner Of people. There's one who's a spanner. There's no end of ditches He's spanned with his bridges. His wife's quite nice too - that's Diana. 15 Giovanna C'è anche una bella signora Da Padova in Italia, allora. She 'as a bag-a, più grande. She say: 'Is a-very ‘andy, Whenever I go on a tour-a.' 17 Jenny Shopping, and more shopping yet. She'll be at it tomorrow, I'll bet. With her hats and her scarves She don't do things by halves. But remember, it's a very small jet. 19 Christopher A classical scholar, a star, He's been high and low, near and far. He's come quite a journey, This pukka attorney. He'd go anywhere if called to the bar. 21 Brian On account of her glasses, But what does she say? 'No thank 'ee.' 14 Alan There is one other engineer, From whom every day you will hear: 'It's better by far With the KCR.' But not in Bhutan, I fear. 16 Helen and Ian Australia has regulations. It's one of those fussier nations. But he wants to take back The tail end of a yak. Says she: "This will strain our relations." 18 Rupert There is one geographical gent Who has quite a musical bent. He gets his horn off the shelf And plays with himself. NO - BY himself, that's what I meant. 20 Felicity The style of this lady is simplicity. So calm, yet so much tenacity. She has to be so. It's her husband, y'know You all know her name - it's Felicity! 22 Robert I've been up I didn't have time to do me. half the night, y'see. There is one chap who's made our lives hell, For he's constantly ringing his bell. But his job's been quite tough With a group that's so rough. Napoleon - we all think you're swell! But I suppose if I must I could... maybe... just. Leave it with me a while and we'll see. ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-2003 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/2v242g390 119 been sighted from the air, she and numerous other ships were ordered to leave the port, HERMES being despatched to the south. Off Batticaloa at 0843 local time on 9th April 1942 she was sighted by a reconnaissance aircraft from the battleship HARUNA, one of the four battleships escorting the five aircraft carriers used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in their attacks on Ceylon carried out on 5th and 9th April. The C. in C., Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, immediately ordered an attack against her. Led by Lieut. Commander Egusa, who the previous December had led the divebombers at Pearl Harbor, 85 Aichi "Val" divebombers were flown off all five carriers and at 1035, out of the sun, the 45 deemed sufficient by Egusa, commenced their bombing run against HERMES. 37 direct hits were achieved and the ship also suffered severely from the mining effect of near misses. By 1050 hours it was all over. The remaining 40 aircraft were used by Egusa to quickly sink other ships in the vicinity; the destroyer 'VAMPIRE', a corvette, and two oil tankers. By all accounts she was a happy ship and "old hands," a number of whom are still alive speak affectionately of her. A sad end to a distinguished career. Displacement: 11,085 tons Crew: 700 Length: 182.27 m Beam: 21.41 m Draught: 5.64 m Propulsion: Two steam turbines, 40,000 shp (30 MW) Speed: 25 knots (46 km/h) Armament: Six 140 mm guns, three 102 mm AA guns and eight 12.7 mm AA guns. Six 20 mm guns were added in 1934. Aircraft: Initially 15 (Fairey III and Flycatcher) then 12 (Fairey Swordfish II or Walrus). 'The Journal of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 41: 289. 'Minesweeper of 710 tons. Operating with submarines as a sea going escort/tender. "'PARTHIAN' class of 1930. 1,475 tons surface displacement. Lieut. Commander Bernard W. Galpin. 5"Our ship" in the sense of being both British, and of being the female who is the subject of the article. To mariners each ship, even of an apparently similar class, has her own character and individuality. By no means are they inanimate objects. ================================================================================