A Naval tragedy in Sg. Perak 120 years ago
Teluk Anson was a busy port of call in the 1890s as steamships come and go ferrying goods, people and services to and fro the hinterland.
On the fateful day 15th Oct 1898, a Police launch was on a routine cruise down Sungai Perak at dusk after a day's work. As they rounded a bend a large steamship loomed astern and slammed into it killjng 3 people instantly. The impact severely damaged the ship and she sank.
Only one body was recovered from the wreck. The victim bore marks hit by propellors of SS Canton.
The damaged launch was then towed back to town for repairs.
It was a slow perilous and arduous task towing the broken vessel.
A heavy storm ensued during the journey and broke the launch further. Finally it reached Teluk Anson and anchored to a buoy.
Efforts were made to repair the damaged boat.
In the end it was aborted due to high cost. It was then abandoned and left to rot in the sun.
And let the fury of nature take its course.
It was also cannibalised by humans throughout the years for scrap iron. Hardly surprising as many foundries and iron works were in operation then near the river.
120 years have come to pass. Today only the boiler is left lying there. All forlorn. Sunken in the sand.
Why wasn't it hoisted up to dry ground?
They couldn't. Because it was securely fastened to the Hull of the boat that's beneath it.
A mute testimony to all that happened.
I suspect the boiler is still stuck to its hull lying below the water and sand.
If it was by itself wobbling in the sandbank, the flood waters would have swept and carried it down to the river bed long long ago.
Testimony one of the netizen upon the highlight story.
I heard the same.story from ex-marine long time ago...in the 80s. Marine @ Jabatan Laut Perak officer told the story...at that time, there's still no Bangau Island ...you can only see the yellow sand during low tide...
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