SS Tungshing, Indo-China Steam Navigation Company – Captain Thomas Selby
Stephen Davies has been researching the period in the early 1900s during which Thomas Selby was master of several ships of the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company. He believes Selby worked for ICSNC from early 1901 through to sometime in 1906.
Note the incorrect initial “J”
The Tungshing (a.k.a. Tung Shing and Tongshing) is the vessel that is mostly clearly attached to Thomas Selby’s name. He seems to have skippered her from new because in the Straits Times for 11th June 1903 the Tungshing is listed as having arrived at Singapore 10th June from Barry, Wales, UK (probably with a cargo of coal), which she’d left on 7th May – a pretty fast entry to service given completion just 9 days earlier! So clearly being trusted with a new build meant he was a respected captain.
With Engines: T3cyl (21, 34 & 56 x 42ins), 226nhp made by: Wigham Richardson & Co, Low Walker
Propulsion details: 1 x Screw, 11.5knots (trials)
Construction: Steel
Reg Number: 118263
Contract Price £31326; Loss £692-2s-4d
“On January 11th, 1926, while outbound from Shanghai, the Empress of Asia collided with the 1,900-ton steamer Tungshing. The collision occurred near Blackpoint on the Whangpoa River. The Tungshing was owned by the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company and was bound from Hong Kong to Shanghai.
The Tungshing sank while unsuccessfully attempting to make shore and ten lives were reported lost.
The Empress Of Asia assisted in the rescue of survivors and then returned to Shanghai briefly for repairs to the stem section of the hull that had been damaged in the collision.”(1)
Courtesy: www.empressofasia.com/Drew Waveryn
Sources:
See:
Related Indhhk articles:
I have a gold bracelet inherited from my Grandmother which is engraved with
‘Tung Shing launched 28 January 1903’
How would she have acquired it I wonder?
Quite possibly if she attended the launch ceremony as an honoured guest or even the ship’s sponsor she would have been given it. Did she have any family connections with Indo China SN (Jardine Matheson) or the shipbuilders, Wigham Richardson? If it is solid gold it suggests she, or someone close to her, like say her father or mother were the ship’s sponsors.
Hello Peter
Many thanks for your recent comment responding to Valerie Winter’s query about a gold bracelet inscribed with ship name SSTungshing. I have emailed Valerie letting her know about your comment.
A merry Christmas to you and yours.
Best wishes
Hugh Farmer
ralp dvison died at sea on this ship in 1919, anyone got any other info please