Many members will undoubtedly know the story of the ‘Yangtze Incident’, and how HMS Amethyst, a modified sloop of the Black Swan Class was fired on and trapped in the Yangtze River by communist forces in 1949. What is little known about this incident, is that two Air Despatchers, Ken Hotchkiss (left) and Blondie Donno of 799 Company RASC would play a small but significant part in the incident.
On 20th April, Amethyst was sailing up the Yangtze River in order to relieve HMS Consort which was upstream at Nanking. Consort had been sent to evacuate, if necessary, UK and Commonwealth personnel who were caught up in the Chinese Communist advance on Nationalist forces. When passing Low Island, Amethyst was brought under heavy fire from communist shore batteries. The ship carried on but was again fired on near Rose Island. Several shells hit the ship causing several casualties, including the Captain, Lt. Commander Skinner, who died the next day from injuries received. The Amethyst’s doctor and his assistant were also killed whilst tending to wounded sailors. More shells hit the ship and it was holed below the waterline. The ship ran aground on a mud bank and was stuck in such a manner that only the aft gun could be brought to bear on the communist shore batteries. First Lt. Weston ordered the evacuation of much of the crew. These headed for the southern bank of the river which was in the hands of Nationalist forces. The Communists opened fire and several did not make it. Fifty-nine ratings and four Chinese Mess Boys reached the southern bank. Ten sailors later returned to the ship, with the remainder eventually reaching Shanghai.
HMS Consort was on its way downstream and was fired on as well. She returned fire, destroying some of the communist batteries. Consort attempted to refloat Amethyst, but without success. Consort came under heavy, accurate fire again and had to break off and head down river, leaving Amethyst stuck on the mud bank. Consort had been hit over 50 times and lost ten killed and fifty wounded. On the 21st, Cruiser HMS London and Frigate Black Swan also attempted to escort Amethyst down river to freedom. However, they too were fired on, were damaged and took casualties. They were ordered to retire downstream. Some 50 men had managed to escape on the escaped to the Nationalist held bank of the river and reached Shanghai during
It was planned to re-supply Amethyst overland, but because of the situation a decision was made to send a Sunderland flying boat of 88 Sqn RAF instead. This would land close to the Amethyst, and an RAF doctor and supplies would be sent on board. If a landing could not be effected, Two Despatchers of 799 Company RASC (AD) would air drop supplies to the ship.
On the morning of 21st April, the approaching Sunderland, flying out of Shanghai was informed by the Cruiser London that any landing under heavy fire would be to dangerous and the aircraft returned to Shanghai. By the afternoon it was realised that Amethyst’s situation was worse than first thought and the Sunderland returned, this time landing close to the Amethyst. A sampan with a naval gunnery officer, rowed by Chinese women came from the ship to the Sunderland, and the officer clambered into the aircraft. The communist forces then opened fire and the women rowers pulled away, The RAF doctor just having time to jump into the sampan leaving the gunnery officer and many supplies behind. The Sunderland then beat a hasty retreat.
On the 22nd April, the Sunderland returned and again landed by the Amethyst which had managed to move a few miles downstream. Again a heavy fire was opened by the communists, damaging the aircraft and forcing it to take off again. Another effort was made on the 23rd. This time the Sunderland was hit by ground fire whilst airborne and returned to Shanghai. This was the last effort at re-supply.
Also on the 22nd, Lt. Commander Kerans, sent from Shanghai, was aided by Nationalist forces to reach the ship. He took over as Captain.
Attempts to refloat Amethyst continued, and eventually succeeded on the 26th. The ship moved up river and stopped off Fu Tei Wei. The ship was effectively blockaded and negotiations with he communist forces were opened in an attempt to get it released. These dragged on and the men remaining on the ship carried out what repairs they could. Promised rations from communist sources were rarely delivered and food was in short supply with strict rationing imposed. On 11th July, the blockade was suddenly lifted with 50 tons of oil being delivered. This was an opportunity for Lt. Commander Kerans, and he took it. He realised that the oil would enable an escape attempt to be made, but it would have to be before 30th July when stocks would be too low to be used. Over the next nineteen days, he made preparations such as wrapping the anchor chain in greased blankets and having black canvas covering areas of superstructure to keep a blackout.
On the evening of the 30th, the crew were informed that they were going to make a break for it. Kerans had a stroke of luck shortly after 2200hrs, when a merchant ship was sighted moving down river. This was the Kiang Ling Liberation. The anchor was raised, the noise muffled by the grease blankets and Its chain muffled by the blankets and grease, and Amethyst slipped astern of the astern of the Kiang Ling Liberation. It took some 15 minutes fore the Communists to notice she had gone. A Communist patrol boat was spotted, but for some reason, it opened fire on the shore batteries, not Amethyst. In the confusion, Amethyst also opened fire. At 22:30 Lt. Commander Kerans signalled, “I am under heavy fire and have been hit” The ship then and Amethyst, escaped. At 0100hrs, the ship approached more shore batteries and a boom across the river. A gun boat opened fire on it and Kerans steer to the port of the sole light to be seen on the boom. He was correct and they were on their way again, with the forts at Woosung still ahead. Just before 0300hrs, Amethyst , hit a junk, cutting through it. A searchlight at Woosung caught the ship in its beam, but the guns stayed silent. Now out into the Yangtze Estuary, the Amethyst was approached by HMS Consort. Kerans made the now famous signal, “Have rejoined the Fleet south of Woosung. No damage or casualties. God Save the King”. A response came from King George himself, “Please convey to the Commanding Officer and ship’s company of HMS Amethyst my hearty congratulations on their daring exploit to rejoin the Fleet. The courage, skill and determination shown by all on board have my highest commendation. Splice the mainbrace”.
All the men who flew in the Sunderland sorties were awarded the Naval GSM with Clasp ‘Yangtze 1949’. These included the Despatchers Ken Hotchkiss and Blondie Donno. The pilot received a Bar to his DFC and the RAF Doctor a DSC.