SS Kiangya

SS "Kiangya" (or "Jiangya" [Both forms are seen, but an overwhelming majority of sources use "Kiangya".] ) was a Chinese passenger steamship which blew up, probably after hitting a mine (possibly left behind by the Imperial Japanese Navy) which destroyed her stern, in the mouth of the Huangpu River fifty miles south of Shanghai on 4 December 1948. [Some sources give 3 December.]

The "Kiangya" had a displacement of 2,100 tons and was packed with refugees from the Chinese Civil War fleeing the advancing Communist army when she sank. The exact death toll is unknown. 2,150 passengers were listed on the manifest (her official capacity was 1,186), but she was almost certainly carrying many stowaways. Rescuers were unaware of the disaster for some hours. It is thought that between 2,750 and 3,920 died, with 700 to 1,000 survivors being picked up by other vessels.

Footnotes

References

*"Chinese Shipping Disasters: Two Steamers Sunk by Explosions", "The Times", 6 December 1948

External links

* [http://www.tibetinfor.com/en/news/2001/11/c115865.htm Article from China Tibet Information Center]
* [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,799461,00.html?iid=chix-sphere "Too Many of Us"] , "Time" magazine, December 13 1948