1908-06-09 — Page 5

THE

THE HONGKONG, TELEGRAPH

“POWAN" DISASTER.

STRANDED AT THE GATES

OF HONGKONG.

(seedis" the lifeban

to such am

them

be dragged

ship went dow

with

might dh," they jamped: into the sea

be feared that some met their matery, grave in too great baste to secure their own salvation...

ASSISTANCE WANTED

What occurred to Capt. Black, the comman der of the Powan," at this stage was to secure assistance. Twice were three continuous blasts

UESDAY

carried on.

itone. That the sma obably the most accurate, will out by the fact that the police. launchul-Nos, Land s—pat ont ibis morainĮ" for the scano" of this wrack and have reportert no fumber casualtiesudni

is the afternoon the directors of the "app hospital chartered a launch to proceed to Mwan Island, bear where the wreck is lying. to do scavenging duty, in cass' any corpse may, be found floating at time of wriing, the launch had not returned from her mission.

11 he Ghyerament tender Stanley also visited, parties, both Europeo and Chinese, were organized and proceeded to view the stranded FERASA BURVEY PARTY.

BRITISH GALLANTRY AND CHINESE sanded on the steamer's whittle, and it is the rock n the afternoon several, launch

"COMPOSURE.

SURVIVORS' NARRATIVES,

It to a Birkenhead tragedy over again that which yield first place to done in their we have to record. It is a plain statement knowledge and local experience of the of how men of China can stand by their arduous duties they are daily called upon to perform la the interests of hundreds of duty in the face of death with perfect com-housands of the travelling public astually and posure and without fear. Everybody in

of the shippers of tens of thousands of tons of Hongkong knows the Powun and post trip freight monthly. Under the circumstance, pers have used the boat, but none would therefore, the loss of the old, Pewan favourite have dreamt that she would have come to an with the Chinese population both of Hongkong and Canton cannot but be regarded as ooo of untimely end in the way she did."

these mishaps of the sea which the maritime rec rds of the world have, unfortunately, to record almost every day out of the three

hundred and sixty-five of the year.

reported that a rocket; was fired fron the end of the steamer. Happily, in answer to these calls for Assistance the Kam Skun, of the Tak Kes firm of a:6m-launch owners, hove to The Kam Shu had only shonly left Capsuimoon for Hongkong. Her master at otce steered for the wreck, and rendered "yeoman, service in the rescue of over a hundred passengers. Capt. Black is loud in bla praise of the master of the Kam Shun so much so that we understand he had mentioned to the Hon. Capt. Basil R. H. Taylor, herbout master, that the Chinese master's heroism andiafigging seal in the cause of humanity under difficult and parilous circumstances were deserving of the bighest commendation and should receive adequate recognition,

Arrangementsware completed at noon to-day between Capt, lanes and Mr. Robert Mitchell, chief manager of the Hongkong and Wham Po Dock Co., to despatch a survey party to examine the wreck. Mr. Mitchell conducted the party in person; he took with him “Mr. White, of Kowloon Docks, and other Euro- pean diver with a complete diving out6t. From the position of the seck as described to our reporter there is little bops that the Powin can bo refloated Her back" la practically broken. All her upper woodwork has been washed away. The launch A 6 bad not re-

red at 5 pam

A Survivor's Narrative

One of the survivors of the disaster was seen' by a representative of the Hongkong Telegraph his forenoop. The geallemio in question- "Mr. QF Gomero-was seen in his house; in Bridge- freet. He was attired in a suit of pyj mas all he possessed having lost all his clothing and belongings in the wreck.

THE OFFICERS GALLANTRY. The Powan embarked her complement of

While the steam launch was pursuing her passengers and moved from her wharf at

arission of mercy the officers stood by the ship 9.00 p.m. last night. There was the usual

and did all they could by personal persuasion to quieted the evident auxiety of the Chinese bustle and something less than 200 pas-

passengers The native crew, it is our pleasant Mr. Gomeze's account is a most vivid one- sengers carefully betook themselves to sleep.

duty, to record, never once attempted to aban a story which is so often experienced by those don their stations until their European officer We left Hongkong at nine o'clock sharp,

who go down to the sea-in-ships, manu About three-quarters of an hour after wards, the boat made a lurching sound and

told them to quit and each one to try best to save bound, as you know, for Canton," Mr. Gomeze finally grated. All the witnesses are agreed

himself. This latter order was not given until all said, "There were aboard 171 passengers. and sixty-three of these. on the point that there was but a slight

hope for the sh 's safety had been abandoned. One hundred shock followed by another and another. By

True to the traditions of his pr. fession Capt. were third class passengers and were accom

eight-ravalled second class, Altogether there strenuous efforts on the part of the Captain

Black refused to leave his silking ship. - Atmodated in the lower deck. The remainder and Chief Engineer the Fawn was righted body, the details concerning the upfortunate-ne-time it looked as if his too stero senau of were about ́ chirty women and children on

duty would have cost his life; for in spite of board. Aus kn his coloured pilot's reiterated persuasion he "About twenty minutes after sailing the chief stood by his post to the very end. As the fore officer, the purer and myself west round col fccting the tickets. We Had Just finished, and part of the ship became submerged the pilot retired to our respective quarters took my observed rne or two of the ship's gigs afloat,roat off and hoog is on a peg. Then i return to one of them was a European officer and ited to the deck for some fresh air. I had no is believed a few passengers, After cou. sooner reached the deck than I felt a bamp siderable persuasion the pilot ultimately and the ship shivered from stem to stern.

"A strange sensation passed through me words. Realizing that something serious bad happened Iran back into the saloon, and, theol ing the purser, who had just left his cabin, 1 asked him what was the maiter. He replied: The ship has struck a rock!" He had no sooner uttered those words than the ship struck twice more. I then realized my position.

and sent ahead.

An official narrative cannot, of course, be obtained of the disaster until the Marine Court of inquiry ft beld. The officers have of neces sily to observe perfect reticence in the meantime. qquiries at the rffice of the Company with the members of the staff, who are invariably most courteous, elicited information as 10 general facts which are common knowledge to every. mish up not having yet been collated. It can easily be understood that within a few hours of the occurrence of the stranding of the steamer, in a. care where, as at present, the passengers have been dispersed on board no less than three different steamers and carried to Cantor the information derivable by telegram at the head office of the Company is necessarily As usual, the British officers stood by their disconnected and far from complete, For the managed to get the Ciplain to board her there and then. I caö hardly express it in

ficts which are hecin.compiled and presented posts. The Chinese, coolies most of them, to our readers, our reporters have had to rely got excited, but quieted down when they entirely upon a few of the Chinese passengers law or believed there was no immediate who had gone through a perilous experience and who owe their lives to the timely assistance danger...

rendered by the steamers which took the same route to Hongkong or Canton and vice versa last night.

She shifted the first reef and went straight upon the second, where she lies now.

With a couple of hundred passengers aboard, who were naturilly. out of their wits for the moment, all was pandemonium; but that was not for long.

A foolish Chinaman made the first jump over the rail and disappeared. Whether he was rescued or not, it is impossible to tell.

Another Chinaman with his wife in his, arms jumped overboard in the excitement of the moment, but they were saved.

The rain was falling at the time and laad was only slightly visible, and yet -when the ship struck those doomed Chinese

stood as one man. :''

, "༞

Owing to the fact that the day was a holiday and the Powan a "night " boat and the weather was unpropitious, the number of passengers who embarked on the fateful voyage wat

extremely small-spa hundred and saventy-one to be exact. They were all Chinese, and an exceptionally singular circumstance was that no European passenger travelled by her last

which he did and thus he was saved. The engine-room. officers and staff exhibited remarkable presence of mind. Waist deep in water Chief Engineer E. E-Rodrigues and his second, Mr. E. Robson," and the Chinese firemen never wavered. When there was no more need of their services in the engine room which had becoms @oded they turned their attention to pacifying the Chinese men and women who were the passengers to remain in the abip. All made manly effusis to secure buoys and spars for the frightened

9908

HE

frdin

East

rtisements,

AUCTION.

vereceived instructions

PUNCHARD LOWTHER

& Couto sell. by!!!

PUBLIC AUCTIONE:

MORROW (WEDNES1 A1), ERKE

Intimations.

THE

ROBINSON

the 10th June, 2005, at 11:30 PM, H.M's PIANO Co. LTD.

Naval Yard Extension Jetty,

The Bicam Launch 2

PACH WALLINGFORD," TERME—As usual. VERN

HUGHES & HOUGH, Auctioneers.

Hongkong, 9th June, 1908. 20

PUBLIC AUCTION. "HE Undersigned have received instructions

to sell by the

„P BLIC AUCTION, FOR ACCOUNT OF THE CONCERNED,

THURSDAY,

the ith June, 1908, at 10.30 A.M., at their: Sales Kpoms, No. 8, Des Vœux Road,y

comer of Ice House Street, 14. Bales COTTON VARNO TERMS As usual.

HUGHES & HOUGH..

Auctioneers,

Hkong, 9th June. t. 8

[376

PUBLIC AUCTION. "HE Undersigned bave received instructions

PUBLIC AUCTION, „Z FOR ACCOUNT OF THE CONCERNED,

to sell by

SATURDAY,

the 13th June, 1908, at 2.31.P.M., at their Sales Rooms, No. 8, Des Voeux Road, comer of Ice House Street,

'A QUANTITY OF BRASS, E.P. & GLASS WARE, CUTLERY, A Few Pieces of SILK TAPESTRY,

rev.

&c.

&c. TERMS SÁT ́usual.

HUGHES & HOUGH,

Auctioneers.

(577

Hongkong, 9h June, 1908,

DOUGLAS STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED.

EOR SWATÓW, AMOY AND FOOCHOW. THE Company's Steamship

"HAICHING,*%

Captain Passmore, will be despatched for the at 3 o'clock v..

For Freight or Passage, apply to

DOUGLAS LAPRAIK & Co,

Genstal Managers, - Hongkong, 9th June, 1908.

[578

SPECIALISTS IN

High

Class

Pianos

BY THE

Leading

Makers

OF THE

WORLD.

STEINWAY,

BECHSTEIN

BRINSMEAD,

WERNER

and other makes of repute.

ALL PIANOS SPECIALLY CON- STRUCTED FOR TROPICAL CLIMATES AND FULLY GUARANTEED:

од

EASY PAYMENTS.

The chief officer and the purser rushed above Pons, on FIDAY, the sath instant, Special Prices for Cash down below to siceriafo what damage the ship had sustained. When they returned the purser told me "in prepare for the worst". There was three feet of water in the hold, he stated. He also suggested to me that it would be best to get my coat and boots off as the vessel was voyagers When they had served whom they taking. I then lost sight of him, he

"I took his advice, I tore off my boots, could they betook themselves to the water also hang off my coat, and rushed aft to the assist holding, to such floating wreckage as was near-ance of the passengers, who, by this time, were cul at hand. It is related that while the chief panic-stricken The third class passengers usbed; to the kween deck, thence to the

Then the ship struck the second and a night. The cargo carried alie was-of an engineer was struggling in the water 10 gain urcade dick. They were in great confusion.

third time. That was the end, and we fear to suggest all the details of the storics which were narrated to our repre- sentatives. One man with his bride caught hold of a life buoy and was drowned. His >newly wedded wife was saved. Another man gallantly put a rope round his waist and after

inconsiderable quantity. Exceptiog" for the personal belongings of the passengers the bulk of the freight on the lower deck of the Fow tast night consisted of some bales of paper which had been shipped by the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown (a., Ld,

At her usual hour-9pm-the Powan cast off her moorings at the Wing Lak Street wharf at the western end of the city, an i steering a

the thore he was held by the arm and leg by a Meanwhile, the ship was sinking gradually, couple of Chinamen who were unable to swimsiem first, and the water was rushing in great As he felt his aircogth giving way be called on the men to let go their suicidal hold, as by that means he was unable to save either them or himself, Shaking himself from both to whom he flang some handy Anteam he managed to keep his head above water. By

this time he was almost comple ely exhausted.

was in vain. Ty

EASTERN AND AUSTRALIAN STEAM- SHIP COMPANY, LIMITED." FOR SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE, (Calling at Post Darwin, and Queensland Ports, and taking through Cargo to Adelaide, New Zealand, Tasmania, &c.)

THE Steamship

"ALDENHAM,"

sending two people on board the Bunch, course for the Central Fairway of the harbour, The fireman, who had been taken on board lind aft to the /owan, and rescued some of the sions, Ics, &c, throughout the voyage.

with what

are carried.

N.B. To are the additional comfort of passengers the steamers of the Company have electric fans Étted in staterooms,"

For Freight of Passage, apply to

GIBB, LIVINGSTON & Co.

Agents.

[579

rolames. The majority of the passengers, having gained the hurricane deck, called loudly lo a steam launch, which later turned out to be the Kam Shui, to come to their rescue.

When I reached, the burricane deck 1 Captain St. Joho George, will be despatched as This well-known Steamer is specially fitted met the chief engineer and the second engineer above on THURSDAY. the agtb June,at Noon,

for Passengers, and has a Refrigerating Cham doing their best to pacify the passengers, which

The Kam Shun came alooguide, attached a bor which ensures the supply of Fresh Provi The Steamer is installed throughout with which had then appeared; went down. It then made for Ca suimoon Pass. The ship's the Kam Shun, sang out that their chief was passengers from the then panty submerged the Electric Light. has often been said that the Chinese are not Malay piloi, Mahomed Zia, who has betoon

board and sweth to the launch, but not many, brave; never will those who were present al board the Towae nine years as second pilot and missior. They prevailed up the master vessel. Many of the passengere jumped over & Stewardess 'and a duly, qualified Surgeon the debacle suggest the same thing again ten years sine their as chief pilot, explained of the launch to look for him. And he did. believe, word 'rescued by this means, I was success was related to our re-ins the point rif- jumping to the: Kam Shum After the first telling, the Chinese have been to our reporter that it takes from twenty-five to

parler by a Chinese fireman; "After myself when shecut the line which held her to the soldiers on the boat mentioned. There twenty-seven milútes on an average to reach

might be pulled down by the sinking vessel, z European in Joy of seeing were no calls, no shouts, simply an orderly the Red Light buoy from the wharf, but last cruising about we had the unspeakable Powns and steamed away, fearing that she there I was by now up to my neck in water. water. Our second engineer, Mr. Robson, Soon after my failure to reach the launch presence.

and another European threw out a rope to the after part of the ship settled down. Hongkong, 9 h June, 1998, him; he held it and 'Was''h'iuled aboard the seized hold of a stanchion pale and al Kam Stun in a stato of great exhaustion.tempted to raise myself, as the water was

A gallant rescue was made by one of the ship's officers, Chief Officer A. U. Brown jumped into the water immediately after the ship foundered and gallantly rescued a Chinese woman, and, swimming some distance, succeeded in reach ing a boat into which be assisted he It might be meational that Mr. Brown was fully dressed at the time, thereby increasing erest to learn, is the proud possessor of of the Wingekai,

NOTICE TO CONSIGNEES. FROM SINGAPORE, PENANG AND CALCUTTA.. THE Steamship

INSPECTION INVITED. Henchong, 4th June, 1408.

KOWLOON HOTEL

RING UP THE PHONE. HELLO HELLO || Are you there ?

Yes,

Number please ?

Please give me No, K4.

RINGS THE PHONE. Yes, this is

KOWLOON HOTEL.

night it was gained in about twenty minutes a circumstance which he felt wholly unable The news of the disaster percolated through

to describe and entertained the belief as being Hongkong shortly after midnight last night it very curious. Zan, who was on the bridge ali was impossible to verily the story-it seemed the time, described the night as being somewhat preposterous that a steamer of the calibre of dark with occasional heavy rain showers, so the Potun, under her able officers, should heavy, indeed, that the mist hung over the water have gone down, but the story is that the very like a vell and obscured every bing from view same rock on which she foundered is one Whan the light was passed it was at once of the spasms which all Admiralty men fear realised that the ship, had been carried out of The water round her it is supposed to be her course The helm was put "bard sport."- fourteen and a half fathoms deep, but with last it was too late, and in another instant the a strong tide it comes within the ten to good old Fewan ran on one of the treacherous tvís difficulties. Mr. Brown, it will be of in- I was running." When: rose 10, the surface 1: fourteen feet which a boat like the Fowanbis point is literally strewe Thera was | Belitios medal, which he earned as chief officer ried back again lato the ship by the tide, and expense once, at Cousignees' risk | MUSICAE DINNER?!

takes.

How the Fowan went down has yet to be discovered. But the grand thing to re- member is that once the order had been given to the crew to stand on the after deck there was not a man who moved....

After this, no man can say that a. China- man is a failure; no man can say that he won't do bis duty under difficult circum stances i no man can say that he is less than the heroes of the Birkenhead."..

submerged mcks with which the sea b'd at

On board the Xam Shun were the following

officers --

་!

Mr. A. H. Brown, chief officer, Mr. C. P. Archer, purser.

Mr. E. E. Rodri, ues, chief enginear. Mr. E. Robson, second engineer Mahomed Zan, Malay pilot.. Mr. Gomezej tally clerk, An Indian witchmaniam d

into the sea:

"JAPAN,” having arrived from the above Forts, Consignees of Cargo are hereby informed that their Goods will be delivered from alongside.

radually rising higher and higher. As I sized hold of the stanchion a number of passengers caught hold of me some by the hands, some by the logs all praying me to save them. The increased weight on the stanchion caused it to give war, and I and the others fall "The eight was very dark, sota star to be seen in the beavens, it was raining heavily. The sea was very rough, and a strong current seized bold of a piece of board, but was car

Cargo remaining on board after 4 PM, of There 1 hung on to the railing for life and death and vigorously attempted to steady myths reth ist, will be landed at Consignees' self for fear of being carried under by the risk and expense.heade suction, as at this time the ip was breaking ap-rapidly

While in the position, being bumped abat between wreckage andship, l'azw the ship's ste ward (a Chinaman), and a women #ruggling in the wa.er. Leaving my position I swam out and aelted the woman by the band, at the Tame time telling her got to be afraid. With the steward on one side and 1 on the other we managed to reach the ship again, after as you can imagine for yourself, a graty, struggle. We then helped her into one of the ship's life boats, which was stil a tached to the davits, The sieward and an old Chinuman föllywed, bung do 19 the sides. We were load crash, the boat gy way; and we got there for about tab minutes. There wa adrift again. Thenkpart of the framework

Cargo impeding the discharge of the Vessel will be landed at

Consigneer of Carge from SINGAPORE and PENANG are requested to take IM MEDIATE DELIVERY of their Goods from alongside, such Cargo impeding the dis- charge of the vessel will be landed and stored at Consignees' risk and expense, unt No Fire Insurance has been effected,

I say: When is your next

It is on Saturday next,

the 13th instant,

at 8 p.m.

Bill of Lading will to countrigued by the and please don't forgot Undersigned

DAVID SASSOON & CO, LIMITED, MORA

Agents. Hongkong, 9th June, 1908.

#1580

it is

FULL MOON NIGHT. THE 13TH RAJPUTS BAND

a coaliouous grating noise which lasted for several seconds as the stout bull of the vessel ran over the unyielding surface of the standing din, er to navigation. Then the bridge tele graphed to the engine room: -“Stand by," and all to one man, including the native firemen, "were there to comply with superior-commands. uppp "any amergency. "Hard astarboard," was the beim row put, as the pilot explained Most of the firemes; and about balfa dos to the Preis man. in order to get the ship off passengers. None of the Crew are missing. and gain the neare i beach on Lantao Island, Of the steamers whice came to the Foussis rescue were the ss. San Cheung, sa. Kwong The ship's head aniwered the helm, but Tung, and as, Kinshan-all outward bound to only to plunge into the chasm of water below, Canton. To these vessels the Kam Shup trans and the brw became. Engulfed in deep water ferred almost all the survivors with the excep- variouily estimated, at between. Biteen and tion of those just named. Capi, Black and Mr. board the Kishan, subsequently transferring eighteen fathoms, within five minores of the. M. Evans second officer, gat iafely on steamer's first impact with the rock her fate was on tard a steamlaunch in which they stood by

the wreck,

2 Klippedway and this proved our saviour. doomed.. Those Chineas who stood up.is prescoco.

Capt. Branch, of the ss. Kinskan, told off We swam to a sort of a ralt--not a properly FIRST PANIC SUBSEQUENT COMESURE.Bir Chief Esglacer Me H. Smythe, to pra constructed salt, but apparently a platform of death, who proved themselves to be

As 1000 as the first shock was felt all on ceed on board the Kishon, to Hongkong to from the hurricane deck and remained there,ONSIGNEES of Cargo are hereby informed that all Goods are being landed at their heroes, have the laurel. And their officers, board realised that something bad gone report the disaster. The Kam Arrived shooting lustily for help

Wesicmained there for neatly three-risk into the Godowns of the Hongkong, and to a man, deserve every praise for the gallan amiss. The Metinge pasengers, in their in Hongkong shortly after midnight and news

quarters of an hour, biljeving, avery moment Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company. 1- of the stranding was promptly communicated try they displayed. which their crew so first panic which soon absided into admir to Mr. W. E. Clake, um cetary of the Hoag would be our last, l'heurweighted a boar, Kowloon, whence andfar from the wharves during and after Dinner

coming in our directlop, and our happiness delivery may be obtainadve

Optional Cargo will be forwarded

golde notice to the contrary, be given before- No Claims will be admitted'anarith Lave left the Godowns, and all Go Fundelivered after: the 16th)

It is all very well to say in smug sundu that the Chinese are "no good," but they stood by their letters,, and they, went to regions that people who speak a great deal never heard of.

heroically emulated

PARTICULARS OF THE WRECK, The loss of the

an early hour last night, sids it was; reported that the ship had

Able composure, mada_a_rush_to_gala-the "kong, Canton and Macão Steamboat; Co. Ed. upper deck. Some succeeded in ibair aljempt. and Captain R. lases, marios superintendent but others failed. Meanwhile, piders were of the Joint River Steamboat Companies, Porcan at the very gates given to sound the ship and on the port The Saw Chrung Kuponi. Tung and) KIMIA

proceeded on their voyage to Canton they will disembark the majority?

mple of the dangers already taken in about, thice feet of water; | survivers of the wreck ha

avigation.Con The inrush was so gre

enced could‹bezfou powerfa

So far

THE DROWNED

charg

Afon

"MOGUL" LINE OF STEAMERS: NOTICE TO CONSIGNEES: STEAMSHIP MONTROSE, FROM GLASGOW, LIVERPOOL AND

STRAITS.

UNDER

Conductor Mr. T. C. COKE Will perform on the Lawn

(wet or fine). Many thanks, I will you up again for

number of

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