Shanghai Diary (Part 10)

In the fall and winter of 1937, the young American sailor Earl Jackson Clanton was in Shanghai on board the USS Augusta, which was keeping a vigil in the port while Chinese and Japanese troops were engulfed in vicious fighting over the fate of the city. Clanton completed a fascinating journal, providing a day-by-day account of the dramatic events, brought to you here courtesy of Clanton’s grandson, Adam Clanton. In this installment, he describes the Japanese sinking of the US gunboat Panay. The photo above, showing survivors from the gunboat, is also kindly provided by Adam Clanton.

Dec 11, 1937:

USS Panay sends message from Nanjing but it is broken off before it was finished. Later word relayed that USS Panay was sunk and fired on by Japanese. Hit by bombs from Japanese bombing planes.

Dec 12, 1937:

No word received as to survivors of Panay. USS Wuhu ordered to rescue. British ships at scene.

Dec 13, 1937:

Received word that one sailor was killed and four civilians. Captain seriously injured. Several officers and men almost all of which received cuts and bruises from shock and exposure.

Dec 14, 1937:

USS Augusta scheduled to sail for Manila, but doesn’t due to Panay disaster. Survivors are gathered up by British gunboats Bee and HMS Ladybird and brought to USS Wuhu to be brought to Shanghai for treatment on board USS Augusta & further transfer to Manila.

Dec 15, 1937:

Much resentment towards Japanese by US and American sailors in particular. Shells in ready boxes on Augusta and machine gun ammunition broken out. Ready to fire on Japs at moment’s notice. Japanese admiral and High Command come aboard to chin chin over the incident and try to lay the blame on someone else.

Dec 16, 1937:

USS Augusta awaits arrival of Panay survivors. Japanese admiral Mitsumi comes aboard again to discuss incident and express their usual regrets (velly solly – won’t happen agin). Japanese cast leary glances toward Augusta as tho expecting a sudden burst of machine gun fire.

Dec 17, 1937:

Japanese take the city of Nanjing. Chiang Kai-shek retreats from city with the remainder of his army. The city is destroyed. Many homes, many lives lost and millions of dollars worth of property are damaged or lost beyond repair. Much excitement in Shanghai and aboard USS Augusta as we anxiously await the Panay survivors’ arrival escorted by Japanese gun boats and the HMS Bee and Ladybird.

(To be continued.)

Categories: War, Witnesses

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