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STOCKS OF MACHINE TOOLS CARRIED.
INSPECTION INVITED.
THE SUL AN PIRACY COMMISSION.
EVIDENCE OF SHIP'S OFFICERS.
THE PIRACY REGULATIONS.
SEARCHING QUESTIONS RELATING TO THEIR OBSERVANCE
I
On the middis deck there is a port aud
starboard grill between the first and second class-were they kept locked-They have been kept locked ever since I have been on the ship, as far as I have seen
Was there any grill on the stairy
The first sitting of the Commission appointed to inquire into the pirncy on the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steam boat Co.'gan. Sui An, on November 19th, and to consider whether the existing precautions against piracy are adequate and efficient, was held in the Legislative No. Council Chamber yesterday afternoon.
The Chairman (Mr. JR. Wood) pre-tell you if they were open or shut, sided, and the other Commissioners pre Were you accustomed to keep the door sent wore: Commander C. W. Beckwith, locked or open?-It has been locked, and R.N. (Harbour Master); the Hon. Mr. C. it has been opened. Mel. Messer, Capt: Lake and Mr. H. P. White
W. E. I Shenton appeared for the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steama boat Company, Mr. E. Davidson, under the instructions of the Marine Officers Guild, for the officers of the Sui An, Mr. H. K, Hung for the Compradore, and Mr. H. Lyson for Mr. Hawthorne and Mr.. Mrs and Miss Penzion
1992
is your reply to the question is that you do not take any special againas pirnes-1
You appreciate that it was an import ant thing on that boat t-Yes, now. Y Well it is rather question. It is important in one way, provided you had a sufficient guard, but I do not think the present guard is sufficient to cope with such business
Well, that was not hopi,
∙Have you.
any idea what action you would take in the case of piracy ? It is difficult to day; you never think of that, especially in a vessel like this.
-Have you ever tulked it over with the Master of the ship -No, sir,
Capt. Lake There was, in fact, ma scheme on that ship as far as you know1- You recognise that the most perfect schamu" requires zoine intelligent persona to carry it out Was there any system of signals from the bridge in the case of piracy-No, Sir, only that small bell" which could have been got at.
No telephonic communication-No.
sir. There is a whistling tube, but it has not been used for years.
Mr. Shenton Those on the bridge
In reply to other questions the witness said ho bad been in these waters about three weeks. He simply look up this job here the last man left it, and had pot Mr. Shenton: This officer has no power specially considered Piracy Regulations. whatever. Under Regulation 29 every thing is in the hands of the, Master anand no opportunity, apparently, to give nobody can give instructions except the you any signal-No Master, CAMO NA!
Capt. Like But I take it the Chief Witness: As long as he carries out the a good idea of organisation
Have you any idea what the coloured Alaster's instructions. I have mentioned things to differeus Masters and I have bands indicated I thought it strange been told to mind my own business, It struck me it may have meant that the although I don't say it would be so in men operated on one of the three decks.
according to the colour. AEN Capt Birss's case.
The stairways were open 7-1 could not Officer is the Master's executive.
"So the second-class passengers had accosa to the top deck Any of them have access at any time as far as Chinese are con- cerned.
There was no guard to prevent their going up-There was a guard below, at the bottom of the ladder.
In reply to another question the witness said the pirates could pass through the saloon, although the guarda might be walking up and down between the grills The grilla did not really protect the
rear.
This was not a mẹb," but a highly organised gang-That is so,
Who wore directed by a leader who had
Yes.
How many pirates were there one. board -At least 50, some bad masks.
I will assume you have discussed this since. I take it that at a given signal the whole mechanism starto and the ship was powerless?—They were in com- mand in a very short time.
Regulations such as these are quita Capt. Lake: You could be taken in the
useless for an attack of this nature ( The Chairman remarked that Régula- Nothing short of the arming of the Further questioned, the witness said thore tion 25 required two guards at least to passengers would have bear of any use ?--" was a horizontal grill on either side bebe on duty, so that the Company complied That is e
It was an organised aftur, probably- tween the middle deck and third plass with the Regulations by having that mad
and ons other..
worked on months ahead and nothing passengers Passengers kept their bag.
Mr. Shenton: The position was such but a substantial defensive force or that nothing you could do would have board could possibly have prevented it gage alongside them as a rule.
Yes. made any differance 1“ -Witness: It might have made it worse if I had a revalver and shot somebody; I might have shot some of the passengers.
If you had attempted to steer: the ship you would have been shot where you stood Certainly.
The Chaiman: You did not attempt to use the steam hoso No, I had no chance
Are you provided with arms-The Company supplies arms-z revolver and about 100 rounds. They were in 3
Opening the proceedings, the Chairman said that the inquiry fell into two parts. The first part related to the circumstances of the piracy itself and more particularly the circumstances as they related to the Piracy Regulations, and the keeping of them. It was proposed to deal with the first part of the inquiry that afternoon,cabin... and the witnesses who would give evidence One of the Begulations is that the arms in that connection would be examined in and ammunition should be tested weekly public.
by the officers 1-I have only been three Through the courtesy of the Press, adays in her. letter had been inserted in the local news.
You were not able to give any signals Papers inviting any eye-witnesses of the at all No, they had me covered all the Occurrence, or the circumstances in time. nected with it, to communicate with the Scoretary of the Commission. Laforma tion would be welcomed from any quare ter If the information derived from anybody seemed of importance with relation to the keeping of the regulations either by the Company or the Company's fficers then, if the Commission made nae of the information, steps would be taken to make it. public.
Commander Bockwith: Have you been in the river trade before 1-No, two or three trips in the Kimthan.
Have you ever read the Piracy Preven tion Regulations No, Bir, never seen
them.
Have you ever had any instructions from the Master of the Sui An as to what you were to do in the event of trouble on board-if you heard police whistles for instance No
The Chairman: There were passengers
Can
Questioned as to the carrying of revolvers by engine.room officers, the witness thought it would be rather working simongst moving machinery. I dangerous to carry them on thity when, would be possible to have a revolver in the Engine-room; It need, not be left
is could be got.at fairly quickly. in the Tind of fire between you and the about. It would be locked in a desk where man who was firing Yes.
Capt. Lake: The essence of this. Mr. Davidson: You were checking piracy. I take it, was surprise. sickes and looking after lifeboat oquip you conceive any organisation, with the ment. Did that occupy most of your staff of this ship, that could have pre- time-It took all my time; in fac, the vented your being surprised -No, I job was not finished. Arapskom cannot conceive of any.
With the staff there was-My staff is In your opinion what would be the effect of a navigating officer carrying & quite loyal.
Yes, but would any dispositions of that revolver I do not think it is a sensible think to carry a steel revolver alongside staff have protected you No, I think the compass. In the day-time when, you can see the land, it would not matter, bus in the night time, I do not see, the good of having steel gear near the compass.
not,
1. ja
Even with the mechanical "protection. you had, worked in the most efficient manner --I do not think they would have jhelped.
SECOND ENGINEER'S EVIDENCE.
The Chief Officer was re-called and was Mr. Thoe Cecar Bernard Harman, asked by the Chairman whether, after Eccond Engineer of the sa. Sui An, said the pirates had left, he mastered the that he was in the engine-room from the crew the reply was in the negative, time the ship left Macro at 5 o'clock. Ha but the witness said that the ship's crew it has never been brought to your sent a fitter up to the deck to fix the Tas complete at the present time. notice that you should have been curry electric lights at about 6.10 p.m., when THE FURBER'S EVIDENCE. ing your revolver and 25 rounds from heard the small alarm bell ringing Mr. d'Ecs, the purser of the Sui An from the top of the engine-room. The was next called. He said the Purser's the time the ship started!—No.
The Sui du has big cargo ports on her would be sounded in the case of a man room was on the middle deck. He had When you leave port, in overboard. It was operated by hand. an office there as well. When the piracy ordinary wenther, are these ports closed then heard four or five shots," con broke out he was coming down from the tinted the witness, and I knew what smoke room, which was on the top deck. In fine weather they are open, half-was the matter. I heard groans from He was on the staircase when he heard way You have either to close them or leave them open.
The second part of the inquiry related to the adequacy of the existing Regula tions and the possible improvement of them. That part of the inquiry the Can mission proposed to take in private but assistance from any quarter would between decks. welcomed on both questions with a view to making the inquiry full and thorough.
Evidence was then called
THE CHIEF OFFICER'S EVIDENCE
kir. John Coughlin, the chief officer of the Su da sworn, deposed that he noticed nothing unusual before the out break of the piracy He was on the bridge and heard a shot fired. He looked aft, over the starboard side and saw Chinese firing in the direction of the bridge. The man was standing just abaft the grill near the smoke-room. Two or three other Chinese with revolvera came out of the salon An Indian guard came on to the bridge through the grill on the port side, his face covered with blood
and two er three Chinese after him.
The Chairman: You were not armed - No.
Continuing, the witnets said that, just before this, the quartermaster jumped. out of the window of the wheel-house, sa that left only himself and the Indian the bridge for a moment. Naturally, he (witacas) put his hand to the wheel and just then be received a blow on the head
}
--No. ...
If these porta were open, the third class passengers would have no difficulty in getting on the promenade deck-That is 80.
There are two holds on the promenade deck. Are these guarded in any way, or were they guarded I-No, the guard is down below, looking after the other part of the dock; one on either side."
me
*
poor fellow. I don't know who it shots fired on the deck below. He im- was. I saw three pirates coming down mediately rushed to his cabin, which he
He- with my fitter from the lower deck reached without anything happening, Directly he was on the platform they put and there grabbed his revolver.
than tried to make his way to the bridge, him on one side and tackled me." The Chairman: How many?"
but could not get through the crush on The witness Four at first; then other the staircase. From there he rushed came five or six of them. They searched through the saloon to the focale head, Ther bad revolvers tied to their and whilst looking along the port side wrists with bands of different colours, of the ship he heard someone shout tor sume red, some blue, sous yellow. They him from the starboard ejde and immed rushed the stokehold after that and I was ately afterwards two ahole were fired at
him, nop allowed to go anywhere near. There I fired ona shot in reply" continued Mr. d'Ecs, and I think I wounded one Was your steam hose connected-Yes, were two firemen on duty, one con!" it is part of the routine of the ship it to fitters and my No. 2, six in of the pirates. I made a rush for the all No shots were fired in the engine bridge, when another shop was fired at is always 'connected, we f
You were
me I dropped on to the deck, when some person shouted to me to take off my uniform, and I managed to get into. the saloon, and mixed with the passengers there. The pirates were there, and were firing indiscriminately right and left.""
Are they only on the hatch-They are walking up and down there.
room.
powered-That is all, an
How long were you kept there?-Fifteen hours, from the time of leaving Macas until seven o'clock the next morning,
Mr. Measer: What are the duties of the guard?--I could not tell you what theyThe Chairman: You were just over do
You could not say if they acted as night watchmen? If they are going ashore, The Chairman: They are on duty when they always tell you.
the ship is import
While the pirates were in charge whe ram the ongines 11 did..
Under their instructions? At the point of the revolver. The ship's staff worked
sema sho engines all the time.
Witness I take it for granted they must be or they would not tell you when with the butt of a revolver. and fell against the ship's telegraph. He was they are going aahore, g kept there under a guard of three or four Would they have to keep awakat-
should think sokka men. He gathered that the pirates Mr, Messer If you look up Begula wanted the vessel steered to Cheung Chau tion 24: you will, see their third duty is Island: the quartermaster was obtained to stop grugging. (To the witness). You to act as interpreter All this occurred cannot really say if they acted as night at about 6.10 p.m. the ship was then one watchmen, or not 1 hour from Macao, about 113. E, about half way across from one coast to the other. They wars steering the author conrse. A chan
1-
Witness added that as far as he could judge, there were 15 or 20 pirates in the saloon. They searched him in the saloon and afterwards they ordered him, with others, to the starboard alleyway. Did these six men remain 1-No, they terenurisoned with 15 or 10 other Later he his own cabin where changed every hour. Sometimes there passengers The crush was so great that were six pirates on guard, sometimes he could not move. He remained there mure, sometimes only three. They all from 7 pm to 3.3. During that time entered by the one door which was opened the pirates came frequently into the when I sent the fitter out
cabin, looking for the purser's key. They Witness I know if they are going ashore any armat-No.
The Chairman: Were you carrying searched his office, which contained a safe and desk. The desk they broke open. At 3 they oxe and tell you,
Commander Beckwith: Was it usual. he ventured out on to the deck Regulation 28 mays that at least one with the Sui An, during the voyage, to and the pirates did not interfere with: **Questioned as to the grills, the wildste
guard must be on duty in port, Do you havo, the engine axun, doors to the main him. By that time the firing bad prac described their position and said that the know whether the Company has given deck open Up to the time of the piracy tically cessed. As far as he could judge. tor gear the bridge were not looked, the au instructions to the Master as to the were they kept open Two have been there were about 50 pirates, six or seven othera were always locked, except when three days on the ship. I do not bottom half was shut and the top half coming through the grill on the top deck duties of the Indian guard -I have only open. We could have shut them. The of whom were maakdo remembered opened by the Indian guards to let some kurr
opened for ventilation. (It was explain just before the piracy broke out. The one through, as when the compradore You simply took on what was going oned that the doorware constructed in twa watchman opened it for him. The two went to collect fiokata from the Chisese before-Certainly The witness and the doors were not starboard side, were locked. The watch:
sections). those grills were locked at 6.10 p.m.; bebout it No, nothing about itu mange klocked; they had bolts on the inside basi man unlocked one of them for him to pasa cause might so happen that they were Capt, Lake When you relieved that it was only the custom to keep the bottom through. He bould not say if it was' not be sold to me that. He had only information wth regard to any scheme of pirates might have come through far as he was aware the pirates did not other Chief Officer did he give you any ball bolted. If they had been boited the looked after he had passed through As
break any of the padlocks on the grills. stokehold Piracy Regulations 1 No, ait
Mr. Messor: Have you ever read the
passengers, could not wear that
opened to let someone through-bé woulih
joined the hip three days before the piracy. but, as far as his observation went, the grills were always locked, except. the two on the bridge.
There were two Indian-guards on the top deck, two below, and two rellota.
The Chairman: What were their in
structions?
THE GUARDS" INSTRUCTIONS..
And you do not really know anything
organsation The Chief Officer was away You did not know, in the short time in hospitsi-and I did not see him. Zhu,
A grilla, dae on the port and one on the
Questioned by Commander Beckwith, O INTECOTIONS REGARDING PIRACY.
Sun for about a month, but he had witness said he had been s purser on the been in the Company's employ on the Macao run for about 10 years,
Commander Beckwith You had a revolver: In your room, Was that given to you by the Company1–No, that wan
was any special organisationWell, you Have you ever been instructed by the you had been on the ship, whether there. How long in the ship -Four months,
could see there was a special guard. On Master se to what your duties were any ordinary ship you would not see that. No, a CAG
Was it an organisation which you, sa Have you ever been instructed that the Chief Office, took interest in 1It ision grilla should be kept closed-I have never Witness: I understand then they get a long time since there and been any case been Instructed, but I know they should instructions either - from the Captain of piracy and the first thing to do when be shut, man Superintendent of Police or the you come on a new ship in to get the Would it be unliveable in the engine Have you ever had any instructions a Captain, of the ship.". I ha ever-lidatores and goer checked of. This piracy room if the doors were shat 1It would to what, you must do in the event of
afterwards; now, it will be very warm, expecially in the summer, piracy Yes, other Captains have told Have you ever read Regulation No. 531 me that I had to make for the bridge and I have not read ik:
help the Captain and Officers.
to give them any instr
You do not, in
thing bas
my op