An S.O.S. Signal Race at Night to Aid the Norwegian Steamer Braaland Stranded 400 Miles Off Hongkong Reeciving an S.0.8. signal, battle Sng mountainous seas. in the Bay, and standing-by to aid a steamer wrecked on treacherous reefs were ome of the experiences encounter-by the P. & 0. S, Macedonia which arrived here on February 4 from London vid ports a day ate, This delay was caused by the receipt of an-S.0.8, signal from the Norwegian str. Braaland strand~ the Bombay reef near the Paracel Islands between Singapore and Hongkong: shortly after mid-might on January 28.—Receiving this signal, the Macedonia's commander, Capt. A. J. Morton, R.N.R., altered his course and proceeded at. increased speed to.the scene of the wreck, The night was very dark and a strong westerly current was runnug. The Macedonia, at the time of receiving the alarming signal, was. 160 miles southward of the wreck. A further message was received from Hongkong asking the ship to proceed at full speed to the eerie.
At 11,53 a.m, on January 29, the l-fated ship was sighted fast on the reef, She was stranded on the north-westerly side of the reef close 4o some boilers, relies of a former shipwreck. Heavy breakers were enveloping the vessel whose position was critical and all was made ready take off the passengers and crew. he Macedonia skirted the western edge of the reef at reduced speed and approaching the wreck, stopped at a safe distance.
Ju the seas running it was impossible to launch boats and a message from the Norwegian captain was to the effect that he thought his vessel could hold on for fame hours.
At this juncture, a wireless message was received by the Macedonia from. the Norwegian Consul in Hongkong requesting that the Braaland be informed that salvage vessels had been despatched from Hongkong and that they could be expected to arrive on the morning Friday, January 31.
Volunteers were ready on board steamer to endeavour to reach the vessel and a wireless message to the ship from the Macedonia asked whether the captain was ready to abandon his ship. He Feplied that the vessel was fast Aground and that he intended to remain on board and await the arrival of the salvage steamers. The Macedonia accordingly stood-by until 6 o'clock that night—the 29th, keeping in wireless communica~ tion with the wrecked vessel and also. informing Hongkong hourly of the position.
When dusk arrived the Mucedonia's commander considered it unsafe to remain in the vicinity of the reef—he was within a mile of the wreck—and" asked" the Norwegian captain what. was desired. Hee also intimated that he was quite ready. to do everything possible. The reply came as follows: precited but I'am aute we are ante Your kind offer very much ap-
Believe, however, that salvage. of ship very aiteute ity indeed poo Further communication followed and there being no point in remain ing, "the Macedonia proceeded at G31 pin. on January 29 on her voyage to Hongkong.
-'The reet was a circular one and the lagoon inside, fishing vessels were seen and Capt. Morton asked the Norwegian master if he. con-Sidered them to be of any consefuence—pirates being in the mind of Capt. Morton. The reply came that the vessels appeared to be ordinary fishing craft' and that no. danger vas felt In due courte the salvage vessels arrived from Hongkong and mea-tures are being taken to. take off the cargo and refloat the vessel. No further messages have been receive! from the Braaland and it is accordingly believed. that no further danger exists although the opinion {s expressed that the vessel will be come a total loss—stranded as she on the reef and being. pounded by the heavy. breakers. Thus is told the major event of the voyage.
The Braaland was bound from Shanghai to Rangoon in_ ballast. The vessel was Duilt in Dublin in 1601 and her tonnage is.1,545 net Port of registry is Oslo. The salvage vessel Henry Keswick, ow ed by. the, Whampoa Dosk Ca. is attending the vessel The Macedonia left London on December, 27 and. proceeded to Southampton. Leaving the latter port, she encountered very bad fwoather and was 48 hours late ai ving at Marseilles. 'The weather in the Bay of Biscay even surpassed its. notorious reputation. 'They emerged Into slightly better weather fand New Years Eve was spent in inimitable P. & 0. style. A dance was held, The costumes surpassed Anything' seen and Mr. D. HO. Milburn whois. well-known for 3 concoction described asa "Macedonia" cocktail said it was the best hho had seen. Mr. Milburn presides over the Macedonia bar and has been in the service of the company for 35 years—most of which he has spent in. serving drinks to thirsty folks on board the company's liners.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.