Baker's journey to Singapore in 1914

 

1. Name of Ship: BULOW

2. Steamship Line: North German Lloyd (Norddeutscher Lloyd or NDL)

2. Bound: Via China & Japan

3. Port at which passengers have contracted to land: Singapore

4. Future permanent residence: British North Borneo

5. Year: July 25 1914

Sources: Norddeutscher Lloyd - Wikipedia

Based on the information (passengers list) provided by Richard via email, the name Baker appears on the passenger lists for the ships Bulow and Hitachi Maru in 1914, for two journeys in July and August. The short duration between these long voyages suggests that something might have happened during that time, possibly the first journey being canceled or some other event. We are aware that 1914 marked the beginning of World War I.

1. Name of Ship: Hitachi Maru

2. Steamship Line: The Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line)

2. Bound: Via London & Japan

3. Port at which passengers have contracted to land: Singapore

4. Future permanent residence: British North Borneo

5. Year:  August 29 1914

Unexpected incident

The German liner Bulow, operated by the North German Lloyd (NDL), was involved in a notable incident on June 25, 1914. The ship was on a voyage from Yokohama to Southampton, carrying around 400 passengers and a crew largely composed of Japanese. Due to thick fog, the Bulow ran aground near Blacknor Point, west of Portland Bill. Despite efforts to refloat the ship, it remained stuck, and the passengers were transferred to other vessels for conveyance to Weymouth and then by rail to Southampton. It was that on Thursday morning.

The German liner Bulow did not have a notable incident on July 25, 1914. The significant incident involving the Bulow occurred on June 25, 1914, when the ship ran aground near Blacknor Point, west of Portland Bill, due to thick fog. Despite efforts to refloat the ship, it remained stuck, and the passengers were transferred to other vessels for conveyance to Weymouth and then by rail to Southampton

It is very likely that all journeys in all directions were canceled at that time, and it is also very likely that travel bookings for July 1914 had already been made before the incident occurred.

Ref: DCC: 25/06/1914; Transcribed by K. V. Saunders by Deeperdorset UK

BULOW

I am certain that in 1914, Baker was already in North Borneo after boarding the ship 'Hitachi Maru' on August 29, 1914. I also sent an email to Richard in 2021, including a photo of Baker dated 1914. 

The photo was obtained from the Flickr National Archives UK. The photo was labeled SABAH (Malaysia). Therefore, it can be confirmed that the photo is of one of the British officers who were already in North Borneo at that time.

The photo can be found at this link. Ernest Reginal Baker