Historical Context
Chinese sailor Poon was working as a steward aboard the British ship the SS Ben Lomond when it was sunk with the loss of all lives except his own. After a few hours in the water he found an 8 foot raft with some food and a flashlight which initially kept him alive.
Although aircraft and ships did spot Poon Lim, he was wasn't picked up and survived his ordeal was catching fish and even sharks before drifting to the coast of Brazil where he was saved by fishermen.
Photo Info
Photographer: U.S Navy
Location taken: Belém, Pará, Brazil
Source: The Vintage News
Related Events
- 1942-11-23 Chinese steward Poon Lim begins 133 days adrift after British ship SS Benlomond is torpedoed by a German U-boat, leaving him as the sole survivor
- 1943-04-05 Chinese steward Poon Lim is found off the coast of Brazil by a Brazilian fisherman family after being adrift for 133 days, after British ship SS Benlomond was torpedoed by a German U-boat
