Elder E. Ludington's Deliverance from Shipwreck and Preservation in China

While traveling from Singapore toward Hong Kong, Elder E. Ludington was on a brig that struck a rock in heavy fog and rain. The ship began to sink and the passengers and crew faced the threat of drowning or being captured by cannibals on Paliwon Island. Through his prayers and trust in God, Ludington and the others survived the incident and eventually reached Hong Kong. Ludington reports this was the third time he had been on sinking vessels in the region, attributing his continued survival to the hand of God.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

On the 26th of October, I left Singapore for Hong Kong, on board the British brig 'Kestrel,' Captain M'Kenzie. On the ninth day out, 15 miles to the westward of Paliwon Island, in south latitude 8 deg. 50 min., east 117 deg. 15 min., just before the dawn of day, on Saturday the 4th of November, in a heavy fog and rain, our clipper struck a rock. The shock was tremendous, and the vessel immediately began to fill with water. We were in momentary expectation of seeing the masts go by the board and being swallowed up in the deep. The captain and crew were in the greatest consternation, and the passengers were in a state of despair. I acknowledge the hand of God in all this. Though He slay me, yet will I put my trust in Him. This is the third time I have been on sinking vessels in these seas, and I have been preserved by the power of the Almighty. We were in a most critical situation, being near an island inhabited by cannibals, and our vessel a complete wreck. However, through the mercy of God, we were enabled to reach Hong Kong in safety, after enduring many hardships and privations.