The Kiangehing arrived in Shanghai on September 25.
The damage sustained consists of shell which entered. the fore-hold and another which. passed through the bridge above the heads of those who were in command of the vessel. During the firing the steamer was left without command owing to the pilot and quarter-master being shot while their posts—both being seriously' wounded. It was due to this occurrence that the vessel was stranded.
The China Navigation str. Tatung.
as responsible for effecting the ill-fated vessel's final escape from the locality. The British steamer arrived after the engagement and towed the Kiangehing into midstream after temporary repairs had] y been carried out.
The following is a precis of the official report submitted to the company by Capt. Liu, master of the steamer, Trooping to Ichang from Hankow September 16:—Having embarked troops of the 2nd regiment of the Ast division proceeded up river for: Tehang.
September 18:—Ship went aground and next day got off by her own power.
September 19:—3.25 p.m. Below Yang-chi reduced speed to anchor below str Fu-yang by order of military leader. At this time machine gun and rifle fire. commenced from the right bank. A little later we were shelled. We stopped, but the firing continued even more fiercely. The pilot and quarter master on the bridge were both shot and disabled. Ship swung round and went ashore for want of steering as both the pilot and the quarter master were lying on the deck badly wounded. Captain and second pilot took charge under: heavy fire. The anchors were dropped and the firing stopped. A. steam launch arrived alongside and proceeded to disarm the soldiers. Several shell holes were found' in various parts of the ship including the. bridge, funnel and steering engine house. Four of the crew were reported wounded and one jengineer's boy dead. The total casualties estimated at over 100.
The shore army order the ship jeaptured and steam was blown off jon one boiler. Captain and one pilot taken ashore and sent to army headquarters." They were released at 1 pam.
The Jackals of the River September. 20:—The ship sted badly to port while landing soldiers. Ship thought to be sinking and found 8 ft. water in forehold. "Ship was beached and 20 tons of ballast coal thrown overboard. Later the ship swung round with the current and crashed into the str. Chang On doing some damage to superstructure, Damage to our ship consisted of' rails "and -stanchions bent -and carried -away. Water in forehold "increasing and teniporary repairs effected' by filling holes with wood and cotton'waste. Damage by' rifle fire found: to consist of several
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.