Last Friday afternoon the steamers Wantung and Wanhsien, which have occasioned so much prominence during the past six weeks after their seizure by Gen, Yang Sen's forces and the heroic attempt of a few British sailors to rescue the arrived in Shanghai, Both are in much the same condition as they Were after the encounter, and will go into drydock for repairs. Steel girders and ship's sides showed Gistinet signs of the- conflict, but the armour plating showed very few traces, the paint. only being di placed.
Capt. S. H. Bates, master of the Wantung and Capt. A. C. Thompson, of the Wanhsien brought the ships down. The ships are now anchored in the upper harbour.
The "Central China Post" giv tha following. description of the ship:
Of the two steamers the Wantung shows the most damage above decks, particular the forward saloon in which several Chinese officers sheltered at the time of the attack, although this was shielded by iron Plates all round. A. shell from H. M. 8. Widgeon struck the iron plat ing immediately opposite this saloon, penetrated and carried with it a triangular section of the plating which measured roughly nine inches in the This part of the ship has been more or less cleaned up, but the effects of the bursting wf' even a small shell jg to be seen in the blood spatters on walls and celling, Both ships are so scarred and pitted with bullet holes that comparison would be invidious. Of the two ships, the Wanhsien was anything the better off by reason of the fact that her bridge and part of the upper deck were protected by armour plate which well proved ite quality. Steel girders and the ships' sides were, "judging by the holes, penetrated with ease, but on the plating the bullets merely displaced the paint'and scarcely marked the armour.
Tt was interesting to note the position on bourd the" Wanhsien Where Commander Darley give fix life in leading the rescue party. With searcely room to turn he was shot from the cover of the after pas senger accommodation. The saloon Kaye perfect cover to those firing Jand gave them complete command of the alleyway which it was necessary to traverse in order' to. clear the ship, and Commander Daxley leading' the party was the frst all, With exposure to such a wither" ing fire one would expect greats damage to the ships than has actual. ly been done. "The engine room of the Wanhsien has been well pepper most of the main pipes escaped damage, and the engines remained practically intact. "A lot of da has been done to superstructor ud good deal of plating will have to be renewed, but the reports received ly stages of the ships doing in a sinking condition, seem to have been exaggerated,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.