Roy M, it saddens me to resurrect your thread only to report that
Princess Tai Ping was T-boned and literally cut in half last Sunday off northeastern
Taiwan. She had sailed within 30 miles of completing her epic voyage. Fortunately, there was no loss of life among the 11-member crew, but the freighter which ran her down neither rendered aid to the stricken crew nor radioed for assistance, preferring to resume course and steam away from the scene.
I'm sure the freighter,
Champion Express, is insured, but can you even imagine the liability exposure they face? I would guess that her senior crew may well have ended their merchant
marine careers. At least, one hopes that is the case.
The following is from today's
'Lectronic Latitude:
* * *
"Princess Tai Ping Rammed in Taiwan
"April 29, 2009 –
Taiwan
"Princess Tai Ping, the 54-ft Chinese junk that visited the Bay Area last October, was run down by a freighter off Taiwan on Sunday. Thankfully, all 11 crew, including three Americans, survived with mostly minor injuries. The
collision occurred less than a day from the completion of a 14,000-mile round trip to the Americas and back that ‘proved’ what has long been speculated: that 15th Century Chinese vessels had the capability to come here then sail back home."
* * *
For the entire report, go to:
Latitude 38 - The West's Premier Sailing & Marine Magazine
TaoJones