The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-16

"A terrible illustration o. the utter incom-
petency and cowardies OF Chinese naval
man In face Of disaster was TIE wreck o,
the Chinese cruiser Ueeching at Port
Arthur On the morning OF June u. Ia
which lis OF her officers and crew persshed.
The disaster was one Of the most terrible
In Oriental marine history. IL was due en-
tircly to the cowardice OF her officers who
acre crazed by the sudden coming Of the
!. l.hoon that swept down upon them. They
had steam UP bat we're afraid 10 take up
their anchors and make for the inner
harfor as did the Russian cruisers from the
same anchorage.
The details Of the disaster were learned
from J. II. Buxton. ST.. correspondent for
tie London Mail who has just arrived here
from the Orient on the japanese mail
steamer Yamasuehi Maru.
The Heeehing was lying at anchor Just
outside the inner harbor Of Por; Arthur
In company with two Russian cruisers.
The weather for several weeks had been
fine. but shortly before noon on the day
OF the disaster n storm came up almost
very exposed ard In case Of storm vessels
either run out to sea or go into the small
harior which is perfectly iandiocked
Tbs storm was furious one and caused
great excitement on the warships. The
perfectly disciplined Russian crews took In
their anchors and steamed with consider
able difficulty into the inner harbor.
There was not single European officer
on the Heeching and the scene on her
decks was one OF utmost confusion. The
terrified Chinese sailors rushed from one
part OF the ship to the either and the OFF,
GERS were equally confused. As far as the
Russians could learn no attempt Was made
70 get up her anchors
AtIast the Heeeh!ng began TO drif. 10 GER
tain destruction on rocky pom. at the en-
trance of the harhor. Even then there was
chance for saving the men on board had
the warship's boats been launched. The
waves were dashlEg over and around her
and the Chinese stayed by the ship.
It was only a few minutes before she
struck, going On the rocks almost side
ways several hundred fee; from shore The
enormous waves that swept over her took
with them their share of struggling fright
erred humanity -took them into the surf
and dashed them upon the rocks. The
ships OLD fashioned boilers exploded and
sent more Chinese souls into eternity.
AS many OF the crew as could find room
climbed into the rigging Those on the
lower rigging unable TO climb further up
struggled with their shipsnates who were
lighting for foothold.
On shore gathered The sailors and officers
of the Russian ships with many OF the
Chinese residents OF Port Arthur. 4
rocket with life line attached was fired by
the Russians.
IL MAS well aimed and fell across the
rigging. Had i been properly used many
OF the unfortunate Cinnamon could have
been drawn ashore. There was iigh..
however. for possession OF the line. A
few sailors got hold OF 4, ana cutting the
lire jumped Into the sea. They were pa.l.
ed ashore more dead than alive AID were
the only ones saved.
T1la ship went TO pieces rapidly under
the terrific pounding Of tire waves. One hv
one she remaining sailors lost their grip
ca ths figgtng and were washed Oft into
the sea ia full view Of the crowd on
shore.
Not one ~ che eoleers. 20 whose in
competency and cowarlice the disaster va
due. was saved. II MAS estimated thar rs
mea persisted. The Heechlpg was a fetal
less