SEGALEN Victor (1878-1919) - Lot 8

SEGALEN Victor (1878-1919) 2 L.A.S. to Yvon Segalen, Singapore, December 20, 1917 and January 20, 1918 On December 20, he recounts, with much hindsight, a maritime accident "aboard the Warrimoo during the night of the 15th to the 16th, at 2 a.m. I heard alarming siren blasts. [ ] I heard alarming siren blasts, then immediately two loud, muffled creaks. I went up on deck in my pajamas [ ] and finally saw a big black and red hull next to ours, as if across the side. It was the liner Laertes, which we had boarded right in the engine room. The engineer told me afterwards that all the metal sheets had flown to the ceiling, and that the floor had opened up and the water had immediately started to rise faster than a man can climb. [We immediately put the engine forward to push her afloat just long enough to save the crew. Meanwhile, distress rockets were being fired. When all the crew were aboard, we made full speed astern to get clear of the other. [ ] ". He goes on to describe the sinking of the liner and the damage, concluding with "a very successful collision". He goes on to discuss the aftermath of this successful collision, i.e. assigning responsibility for the accident, changing ships, etc. The Chinese weren't too frightened. I don't think they understood the seriousness of the accident [ ]"; On January 20, he announced that he was still behind schedule, "due to repairs and bad weather". He announces the verdict of the Maritime Court (on the "successful collision"). He concludes with Yvon's stamp collection. Unpublished letters, family provenance.