British gunboats which were under fire in China. Japanese apologise for shelling of 'Ladybird'.

British gunboats which were under fire in China. Japanese apologise for shelling of 'Ladybird'. A picture just received in London of H.M.S. 'Ladybird' (left) and H.M.S. 'Bee', the British gunboats which have defied Japanese shells and bombs, lying on the bund of Hankow. Japan has now handed over her reply to Britain's note of protest about the shelling of the 'Ladybird' and other British ships near Nanking, in which Able-Seaman T.N. Longergan of the 'Ladybird' was killed. It is understood that the Japanese say the 'Ladybird' incident was caused entirely by a mistake, and hints at compensation for losses. H.M.S. 'Bee' aroused world-wide admiration when she ignored a Japanese standstill order and hurried to the assistance of the American gunboat 'Panay' when she was sunk by the Japanese in the Yangtse River, 25 miles from Nanking. Hankow, Hangkow, Hankou.