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(.) It must be understood that one of the chief objects is to prevent pirates obtaining control of the steering gear and hence of the ship. Precautions should be taken to prevent pirates making use of the emergency steering gear.
7. Carriage of treasure.-Confidential notice should be sent to police if treasure is be- ing carried on any particular voyage,
8. Steam hose.-The use of steam hose is recommended. Connections should be available both on the bridge deck and in the engine room.
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9. The recommendations of the Committee should be referred to the Chamber of Commerce with special reference to the cost of carrying out structural alterations and provision of armed guards. necessary to comply with these recommendations.
C. McI. MESSER.
LAU CHU PAK.
HO FOOK.
1 consider Clanse 3 relating to armed guards not practicable.
G. W. BARTON,
W. R. JEFFCOTT.
Additional Recommendations regarding River Trade Steamers.
1. Grilles and dodgers.-Same as No. 6 of recommendations for ocean going steamers. Grilles of expanded metal or barbed wire should be placed about 20 feet in front of the dodgers to check a rush and armed guards should patrol between these grilles and the dodgers. Barbed wire should be placed round the bridge to prevent pirates climbing up over the sides.
2. Signal lights.--Double number of rockets and blue lights should be carried, the use of Verey lights is strongly recommended, see No. 5 of previous recommendations.
3. The passengers in the lower deck should be locked in with grilles, and precautions should be taken to keep passengers from the crew's quarters.
4. The runner system to be abolished.
5. The 4 guards to be used for guarding the ship against piratical attacks, they are not to be used as guards to protect thieving from the cargo. Their chief duty is to guard the bridge and wheel house. The committee agreed with Captain Jeffcott's recommendation (attached) that the guards should be under the police department for engagement, training and discipline and that they be in Government uniform and transferred from time to time to different steamers.
6. Chinese owners must clearly understand that if their, ships fly the British flag, the captain must have complete control of such ship and crew and must not be dictated to by the compradore, pilot or any owner or agent regarding the safe and proper navigation of the ship, and giving of assistance to other ships when required. Masters of such vessels should be given positive instructions to enter any case of interference, however slight, in the official log, and bring the matter to the notice of the Harbour Master at the earliest opportunity when it would be enquired into.
7. If one steamer discovers another ship being pirated, it is her business to remain near, prevent access of pirates to or from native craft, assist in rescue work and in calling other steamer to her aid.
8. The guards should see that the crew do not smuggle arms or ammunition.
9. We would recommend a stop being put to the practice of deck officers going round the lower deck to superintend the collection of tickets from passengers. (This has frequently to be done during dangerous parts of the voyage, the master alone remaining on the bridge while tickets are being collected.)