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or junks as long as the river steamer was under weigh and under control and the officers wide awake.
It therefore came to a question of convoys or armed guards. To convoy the re- gular river steamer traffic and also the sea-going ship traffic to Canton and Kongmun means a very large number of fast convoy craft continuously employed. Also as the speed of the convoy is that of its slowest ship a great deal of inconvenience is caused to
the better found vessels. On the other hand to let all ships proceed independently and yet be safe means a large number of armed guards on each ship. At the time no convoying launches were available and it was found quite impracti- cable to get the necessary Naval Officers and ratings to man any large number of laun- ches. I therefore suggested that the cheapest and safest method to adopt was to make the Canton and Kongmun River Steamers sail in convoy, a large and efficient armed guard being placed in one steamer in each convoy. These were to be armed with machine guns and be available not only to protect their own vessel but also to go to the help of any vessel belonging to the convoy if attacked. This system was adopted and continues to the present time. It has certainly been effective in preventing piratical attacks but it has also aroused a good deal of discontent amongst ships' officers and owners who do not like the guards or the delay caused to the better found ships.
Here again
(d) Grilles. The original system of grilles was greatly extended. whilst undoubtedly very valuable against internal piracy the extended use of grilles is inconvenient from many of the officers and owners point of view. Also it has the serious defect that in case of a collision any hitch in opening the necessary grilles may result in enormous loss of life, although the obvious retort to that argument is that unless a river steamer can be beached at once or outside assistance is at hand, the loss of life is bound to be great in any case. Still the mere fact that the passengers would feel that they were cooped up like rats would precipitate a panic and hinder the ship's staff.
(e) Police inspection and searches. Is undoubtedly most valuable and should be continued. Practically all attempted piracies have been on outward bound ships from Hong Kong and strict searching at that end is a necessity. The Customs at Kongmun are also very efficient in supervising their end.
ALTERNATIVES TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
In my opinion the only alternative to the present system is to increase the number of armed launches available. If another 5 armed launches were provided and manned by R.N. Officers and men then the carrying of large armed guards and the sailing in convoy could be abolished. The system of grilles could also be very much decreased.
With the present 4 armed launches plus 5 additional armed launches a system of efficient patrols could be instituted covering the Pearl River and from Wangmun to Kong- mun. The number would not be sufficient to cover the West River above Kaukong unless the patrol line elsewhere was weakened. It would also leave the open sea gap between Hong Kong waters and the Bocca Tigris forts and Wangmun but as river steamers are generally in sight of each other in these parts a successful attempt to pirate them there should be very difficult. It would leave the Macao traffic to itself as at present.
With a permanent patrol as suggested not only would river steamers and seagoing traffic be as safe or safer than at present but all the enormous tow traffic would be a great deal better protected. It must never be forgotten that there is an enormous trade carried on in junk bottoms towed by launches. Many of these launches fly the British flag and a very large proportion of the traffic on these two main routes is en route to or from Hong Kong. Once this patrol was in working order I consider that
(1) Sailing in convoy could be abolished.
(2) Large armed guards on board ships abolished.
(3) The grille system reduced to protection of the bridge and Engine Room and
cutting off the 1st class from the remainder.