Apr. 13.
For the second time within a few weeks a ship has been wreck-the Lammocks. Fortunately on this latter occasion the accident has been unattended by disastrous loss of life as was the case with the Hong Moh, but none the less the minds of the thinking section of the public will revert to a letter appearing after the loss of the Hong Moh on the subject of the lack of wireless apparatus on ships trading along the China Coast. That letter was written by Captain W. E. Kent, a sailor who is thoroughly conversant with the coast and conditions obtaining thereon, and he pointed out that this was the third occasion on which he had tried to arouse public interest in the matter. Judging by the fact that no one cared to follow up his letter, it is to be feared that the public is not yet sufficiently keen on the subject, but none the less Captain Kent's remarks should receive attention. The trend of opinion in countries with a large mercantile marine is in favour of the compulsory carrying-of wireless, and it is certain that in other countries whose marine interests and instincts are smaller, the same view will ultimately prevail. According to Captain Kent, however, the need for such installation is already paramount on the China coast with its immense traffic, and. there is one paragraph in his letter which sets forth these views in striking fashion. He says, referring to the report that the steamer standing by the Hong Moh morsed to passing vessels and received no reply, If this is true it is terrible reading. Ships on the China Coast in the year 1921 trying to summon help with Morse lamps to a wreck where terrible loss of life is taking place, and eventually having to leave the wreck to get help, is too shameful for words of mine properly to express.
An opinion such as that coming from an experienced sailor must receive due weight.
In considering this question of wireless regard must be had to the conditions on the China coast. The trade is principally conducted by comparatively small coasting steamers which traverse recognized highways, and should one be in distress it seems safe to conclude that within a comparatively short space of time
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.