14. The Taipin
In 1949 the Chinese passenger ship, Taiping, was headed to Taiwan with Chinese refugees. It was over-capacity and had double the amount of passengers allotted. 1,500 passengers boarded the Taiping with the anticipation and excitement of starting over in a new country. They had waited a very long time to board the Taiping and begin a new life.
The Taiping had to travel under the cover of darkness and very slowly. She had to avoid detection by the Communists. Tragically because the Taiping was traveling in total darkness, not only could the Communists not see her but neither could passing ships. Disaster struck when a smaller ship collided with the Taiping.
The Taiping sunk and took 1,500 lives with her. Only around 30 people were rescued by passing ships.
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