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SCMP

This article was first published on August 18, 1971.
Ferry disaster: no hope for missing crew
by T. S. Koo
A large but undetermined number of the crew of the Hongkong-Macao ferry Fatshan, including her master and senior British officers, were feared drowned when she capsized off Lantao during the typhoon early yesterday (August 17, 1971).
So far four survivors have been picked up, and four bodies found.
The Governor, Sir David Trench, last night expressed deep sympathy to the families of those who have been killed and injured during Typhoon Rose.
In a message from Government House, Sir David said: “The deepest sympathy of Lady Trench and I goes out to those families in Hongkong who have suffered grievous loss and to those who have been injured as a result of Typhoon Rose.
“In particular, we would like to extend our sympathy to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the tragic sinking of the mv Fatshan.
“The search for survivors continues and our gratitude must go to all those who have worked, and are still working, unsparingly to man the emergency services and carry out search and rescue operations at this sad time.”

It is believed there were 70 to 80 people on board, but the ferry company was unable to give the exact number.
An intensive search was mounted, but hope of finding more survivors faded last night.
One of the survivors, Tam Yau-sing, 41, reported that the Fatshan, while dragging her anchor, was involved in two collisions with other ships in the vicinity.
The impact of the collisions, first at the stern, and the second at the bow, “knocked” the ferry over, according to Mr Tam.
The ferry took shelter at Ma Wan, and ended up at Yam O, northeastern tip of Lantao Island where it capsized not far from the shoreline.
“I saw the ship turn sharply to the right and flip on its side. Nearly all the crew members were in the cabins at that time. I think they had little chance of survival. I was lucky that I was on the stern of the ship.
“It seemed that I was swimming for hours before reaching the shore. The sea was so stormy that I felt dizzy and fainted. I don’t know for how long.
“After reaching shore I once again was swept back to sea by the big waves. I struggled to the shore, which was full of rocks, once again. Then I managed to climb up a mountain on the island, Yum Chau, where I saw the other three survivors.”
They managed to get ashore, and the four waved a piece of white cloth and shouted when a small craft went past.
The boat saw the signals, and notified the Royal Navy minehunter, H.M.S. Kirkliston which was in the area on rescue and relief work off northeast Lantao.
Another survivor, Mr Chan Kwok-wing, a sailor who stood by the wheel, reported having seen his British master, Captain I. L. Price, 69, being thrown overboard by the impact.
Mr Chan and the other two, Mr Ho Yip-man, and Mr Cheung Yim-kai were thrown into the sea.

Meanwhile, a team of divers from the Kirkliston and another minehunter, the Hubberston went down for a thorough survey of the Fatshan’s submerged rooms and cabins.
Hope of more survivors at one time rose when sounds were heard coming from the capsized vessel. However, the Royal Navy and the Marine Police were later convinced there was no possibility of finding more survivors after thorough search.
The sounds were considered “normal” for a waterlogged vessel.
After a full search of the vessel, all possibility was ruled out that the structure contained pockets of air.
One of the bodies was found clinging to the railings, another was picked up from the superstructure by a helicopter, and the other two were found on the beach nearby.
The search of the vessel was called off last night but Marine Police launches are patrolling the area with searchlights for possible survivors.
The Marine Department has appointed a surveyor to carry out a preliminary inquiry into the capsizing.

Mr Stanley Ho, Managing Director of Shun Tak Shipping Co Ltd, operators of the Fatshan, said he had wanted the Fatshan to take over from another ferry, the ss Macau, on the 10 am sailing on Monday because the latter was short of oil.
But Capt Price had considered it would be better to go for shelter.
Since the master of the ship had “more say” when typhoon signal No 1 was up, the Fatshan took shelter here.
Passengers were asked to disembark and the Fatshan left the pier for shelter at 9.57 am, according to Mr Ho.
“Things might have been different if the Fatshan had sailed,” he said.
Capt Price was relieving Capt J. E. Williams who went on leave.
The other Britons among the ship’s crew were Chief Engineer A. Morton, 59, Chief Officer L. V. Dury, 65, and Second Engineer C. F. Brown, 62.

Built in 1933, the Fatshan had been a familiar merchantman on the Pearl River and Macao.
The 2,600-ton ship was insured for $1,350,000 and the crew had also been insured.
It could not be immediately established how many of the crew members were actually on board.
The Fatshan’s normal complement is 66 seamen and a number of waiters.
Some might not have been on board, when the Fatshan left for shelter, he said


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In 1971, Typhoon Rose wreaked extensive damage in Hong Kong, including capsizing a ferry which drowned 88 people onboard


In 1971, Typhoon Rose wreaked extensive damage in Hong Kong, including capsizing a ferry which drowned 88 people onboard.


.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}In 1971, Typhoon Rose wreaked extensive damage in Hong Kong, including capsizing a ferry which drowned 88 people onboard

Ferry disaster: no hope for missing crew

In 1971, Typhoon Rose wreaked extensive damage in Hong Kong, including capsizing a ferry which drowned 88 people onboard