The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-03-15
Beqi11 Work Relief
AS CWA Substitute
j. 5. Navy OFFICER
PAYS FINE TRIBUTE
TO British SAILORS
Says Hsroism Of Kings Tars
Prevented American Dis
aster in China Sea
Copyright, 1894, Associated Press)
Hone Knr0 Nffs,o Kornfa 1g fn

Copyright, 1894, Associated Press)
Hong Kong, China, March 15.-(R
"A gallant tribute to British tars
who saved 1877 American sailors from
fiery death on the flaming gunboat
Fulton came Thursday from the Full
tons skipper, Commander Harry Nc
Henry, U. s. N.
While the Fulton, q U. s. navy
craft, still burned on pirate waters
north Of Hong Kong, Commander
McHenry and his men-safe In ha-bor
here-recounted their narrowing ex-
periences.
They were brought In early Thurs
day by the British destroyer H. M. s.
Wishart-which saved them-and the
steamer Tsinan, q commercial vessel.
All were taken Oft by 10 o'clock We'd
nesday night.
The fire, which broke out in the
Fulton's engine room about $50
o'clock Wednesday evening, was ex-
pected to roar for hours as tugs be-
gan towing her toward Hong Kong
Thursday.
As he told the story of the thrill
ing escape to the Associated Press,
Commander McEIenry plainly showed
the effects Of the ordeal. His face
was haggard, lined by worry and
fatigue. He had not had time to
shave.
His first thought was for his men
Eight Of the crew were injured.
Proud Of His Crew
Il IN very proud Of the way the
crew Of the Fulton carried on and
performed their duties under trying
circumstances" he said.
Then he added:
II can not speak too highly OF the
courageous action Of the crew Of the
Wishart. whose display Of seaman
ship will 60 down in naval annals"
In heavy seas at the scene Of the
f;re-about 50 miles northeast Of Hong
Kong and six miles from Single Is
lend-the Wishart responded to the
Fulton's calls.
by very mastery seamanship in
rough weather." Commander Nc
Henry related, Commander Todd OF
the Wishart placed her bow against
ours and We were able to Jump
across"
Earlier, three boat-loads OF sick bay
patients and their attendants were
put out. They were taken on by the
TsinAn. All were reunited for an
AL present and accounted for
check aboard the H. N. 8. Cumber-
land at Hongkong.
Another British vessel, the H. M.
8. Whitshed. arriving after q squirt
from Hong Kong under forced draft,
stood BY through the night and was
Joined by two admiralty tugs Thurs.
day morning.
Attempt salvage Operations
Then, although the Fulton was stu
1laxing and there was Z likelihood OF
her magazine exploding, Z salvage
party from the Whitshed began OPP
without the assistance Of the Wis
hartS crew." said Commander Nc.
Henry. ut Is certain many Of our ship
would have been crushed In making
tho transfer"
He said he had Just finished din
ner when, during . storm. fire broke
out In the Eulton's diesel engines af-
ter . bearing was carried away.
flames spread to the superheated oil
used for fuel.
when ! heard . call to fire quar-
ters, Immediately ran for the deck,
but % rapidly had the fire spread
that flames were already shooting
through the ventilators," Commander
McHeury said.
An engineer on the Fulton told
this story:
We were IN the engine room when
suddenly the exhaust blew out.
Flames caught the oil tank. There
was . hell Of IN explosion. There was
no question Of putting the flames
out. They just went over everything. !"
The Fulton-1l6 feet long, with Z
tonnage Of l,160-was en- route to
Foochow, China, on patrol duty
against pirates when she Vas en-
quilted Ii flames. There were no
other American Ships near.