British Gunboats Which Were Under Fire In China - Japanese Apologies 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 defined Japanese shells and bombs 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. December 28, 1937.