“The Lisbon Maru”: One of the infamous ‘hellships’ used to transport Allied prisoners of war to Japan. The Lisbon Maru was torpedoed and sinking when the cargo hold hatches were secured to drown the POW’s. Many escaped but were then machine-gunned in the water. Unarmed Chinese fishermen from nearby Dongji Island rescued over 300 and by being there as witnesses prevented the killing of many others.
A copy of this print was presented to H.E. The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China earlier this year by the artist, Paul Christien and the photographer and printer, Graham Saxby. Graham Saxby’s father was one of the survivors. Another copy was sent to the museum on Dongji island in Zhoushan, China.