The Rescue Vessels

The bulk of the survivors were picked up by the minesweeper, Mallow (in some versions the Mallard), and taken to Alexandria.

Those that had clung to the broken lifeboat however were picked up by the Ning Chow. These were taken to Valletta in Malta. They consisted of four Europeans and seven lascars. The four Europeans were Lord Montagu, the Italian Maffesanti Benvenuto, the steward Charles Martin and the Scotsman, Alexander Clark.

NING CHOW was built in 1902 by Workman, Clark & Co. Ltd. at Belfast with a tonnage of 8,813 grt, a length of 482ft, a beam of 58ft 2in and a service speed of 10 knots. She was being built for China Mutual Steam Navigation Co. when the company was taken over by Alfred Holt & Company.

Sister of the Keemun she was one of a class of three ships and the largest acquired with the purchase of China Mutual. She remained with the company until 4th November 1932 when she arrived at Spezia in Italy for demolition.