The Shengking, which Is a 20-knot ship trid specially built for tee-breale~ ing, took 7% hours to steam the 17 niles between the lightship and Taku Bar, On arrival at the latter place, five skips were noticed, some of which had been helplessly imprisoned for me week.
"Although conditions on the upward wip were hazardous, they could not be compared to the dangers of the downward trip, said Mr. Wright, Wwas predicted at Tangku that the Sheniking would not be able to break liber way out until conditions had im= proved considerably. On the other hand, Conservancy Board officials stated that the Shengling could do more rescue work in one hour than six fee-breakers could in one day, owing to her tremendous power and the adaptability of her lines for such work.
Tu spite of the fact that the port! was oMielally closed, the Shengking left Tangku on the 10tr, bound for Shanghai, Mr, Wright stated that all ships. were warned. by. the harbour ffieinls that they proceeded to sea at their own risk, as they considered the wwerage coastal steamer had no chance running Ue ie blockade. Thanks: to her tremendous power and special qualifications for lee-breaking, the Shengking managed to get through. 'The bar was successfully negotiated. but, about 10 miles east of tke bar. the' vessel brought up on a big ice; foe, remaining fast for about 79 minutes on ice much thicker than that encountered on the inward trip.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.