393.115/11–2949: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29—9:29 a. m.]
4977. Re encounter SS Sir John Franklin with Chinese Nationalist war vessels November 28 in Yangtze River approaches to Shanghai. Franklin arrived Shanghai wharf November 29, at 1030 hours. Master not permitted ashore by Immigration today nor could Consulate General representative board ship but the master Warren R. Hardy reported to Consulate General by telephone as follows:
November 28 at 1600 hours local time when ship was passing Kiutoan Spit buoy was challenged by one of two Chinese destroyer escorts anchored nearby, one being 500 yards SW of buoy, other 100 yards due east of buoy. Master answered query of DE as to identity of his ship. Then in response to signal from DE, “You must stop and anchor”, master replied “Unable anchor here due to deep draft. Please board me under way or accompany me to deep water at Foo Ching buoy”. At [Page 1174] 1614 hours DE opened fire without further signal, first shot from 40–millimeter gun passing between bridge and mast. Master decided immediately to proceed full speed since he was drawing 28 feet and if required remain there until low tide considered he would certainly go aground with danger losing ship. He decided he had better chance saving ship by making a run for Woosung than by submitting to order to anchor in shallow water. At 1620 second DE opened fire on port side. The DE weighed anchor and pursued Franklin maintaining almost continuous barrage. Master estimates 12 to 15 3–inch shells fired with two hits from 3–inch shells and numerous hits from several hundred rounds 40–millimeter fire. One 3–inch shell struck hull above water line between No. 1 and No. 2 holds. Other shell apparently aimed at bridge luckily struck davit and richocheted into vacant purser’s quarters exploding inside. Master expressed belief this shell would have killed or injured everyone on bridge if not deflected by davit. Forty–millimeter bullets punctured or damaged port bow anchor windlass, hull amidships, engine store room, stack and cargo boom. Damage only superficial and repairs can be effected Shanghai. Passengers and crew went to starboard side amidships as soon as firing started in good order in accordance with prearranged signal. No casualties. Following signals exchanged after DE started pursuit at 1630: From Franklin “We will anchor in deep water at Foo Ching buoy”. From DE “You must stop now”. DE fired after each signal striking hull of Franklin. At 1712 master stopped Franklin engines, prepared to anchor in deep water. This was approximately 13 miles from Kiutoan Spit buoy. Master signaled DE “Engines stopped, am anchoring”. DE made no reply but continued firing. Master therefore proceeded full steam ahead, at 1718 deciding he would try to reach protection guns Woosung Fort. Ship’s engines responded well and from 1720 Franklin gained on DE which rapidly lost range. Franklin aided by darkness which set in rapidly at this time. DE gave up chase by firing 3 final evenly-spaced 40–millimeter rounds.
This ends master’s account which is corroborated by excerpts from his log which agents are telegraphing to Isbrandtsen, NY, tonight. Master intends to call Consulate General tomorrow morning with log which will be inspected by Consulate General. Further report will be telegraphed if any new information of value elicited.
Following additional minor points made by master in telephone conversation:
- (1)
- His instructions from owner were not to endanger passengers or crew by exposing them to gunfire if avoidable. He asserts he had every intention of obeying any orders accompanied by threats of force and defied Nationalist warships only because he was in shallow water when stop order received.
- (2)
- He believes Chinese warships threw everything they had at his ship. Unlike case of Flying Cloud when Chinese warship obviously pulled its punches, he thinks warships were prepared to go any length to force him to turn back and anchor near Kiutoan Spit buoy.
- (3)
- Master thinks his ship was saved by combination of three
circumstances.
- (a)
- Neither DE was under way when first challenge was given.
- (b)
- His engine responded well.
- (c)
- Early nightfall.
- (4)
- British frigate Black Swan was anchored short distance outside Kiutoan Spit buoy and witnessed first part of encounter.
While Consulate General has no doubt accuracy master’s statements, it is realized corroborating evidence from disinterested sources would be useful; Consulate General therefore endeavoring to obtain eyewitness statements from HMS Black Swan and British merchant ship E-Sang also anchored near Kiutoan Spit buoy. Evidence indicates both Chinese destroyers were within 3–mile limit as defined by British Admiralty at all stages of firing. Charts show area where Franklin ordered to anchor is shallow water unsafe at low tide for deep draft vessel. While action of master probably increased jeopardy to passengers and crew, it would seem to be the course best calculated to reduce risk of loss of his ship. While it may be argued that Franklin received warning before being fired upon, action of DE in opening fire without reply to second message from Franklin was abrupt to say the least. Weight should also be attached to action of DE at 1712 in ignoring Franklin’s signal and continuing fire when Franklin wished to anchor in deep water.
Sent Department, repeated Taipei 518, Hong Kong 402 for Strong.