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FIRST FLOOR AT
WHITEAWAY'S.
HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WHDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6TH, 1925.
THE SUI AN” PIRACY
COMMISSION.
SECOND
DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
EVIDENCE BY CHIEF ENGINEER POLICE INSPECTOR KENT AND INDIAN GUARDS
LIEN SANDINA IN 'A BOX.
About an hoo
Docks. He was armed with a revolvst Were quite and six rounds of ammunition. There were daly two rifles amongst the six About an hour afterwards, they vere guards, and these were in charge of the driven into the starboard 31leyway where two guards on the upper deck. All four they were searched again, "We were guards had revolvers, standing in the alleyway liks sardines in out from Macao, when he was talking to a baz," witness safd. "Then the piraten a Portuguese passenger, he had the came to us again. Sume were fortunate report of a fro-am
"The Chairman: "At that time was the enough to get placed in cabins, but I,
ith my
wife and family and some 14 or grill on the port side closed or open t- The second sitting of the Commission Haye you over anticipated piracy since 15 others, were pushed in the gentleman's It was closed, but not locked. The star
There Weremained until s board grill was open. appointed to inquire into the piracy on you have been on the Sui AstNo, it lavatory,
The lights were incredible that such a thing should o'clock in the morning. the Hongkong, Canton, and Macao Steam, cena boat Co. a i... Sus da, on November 18th, happen on a ship carrying so many switched off and we were in total dark
sad to consider whether the existing Europeans and having an armed guard. precautions against piracy are adequate I thought it would be the last Ahip the and efficient," was held in the Legislativa pirates would have thought of tackling. Council Chamber yesterday afternoon: Do you think, having regard to the The Chairman (Mr. J. B. Wood) prostructure of the Sui An, that it would
have any. sided, Ltd the other Commissioners prebe possible to ent were: The Hon. Mr. U. Mel. Messer, defense that would be adequats-I do Capt. Lake and Mr. H. P. White..
pot think
, again such a crowd of rascals as we had on that Surday night. It would have required a small army to have defended the ship.
mechanical
DCA.
We were searched again and then taken out and put in the purser's cabin. There were others there and when we gat there the number must have been about 30. We stood in the cabin with the door abut."
The Chairman: Can you say anything as to the course followed by the ship
Inspector Keut: The glass over the was impossible for us to see anything. I window in the lavatory is frosted and it Ahould say we were going North East There was a North East wind blowing and waves were coming over the stars Do you know anything of the conduct
On the rboard side it was actually open-It is not allowed to be closed.
THA FIRST SHOT.
Mr. W. EL Sheaton appeared for the Hongkong, Canton and Massó Steam. 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 M such an attack -The ship would have to of the ship's guaru-i saw nothing of They told him not to, fires any more.
Mrs and Miss Pearson, EVIDENCE OF THE OHIEF ENGINEER.
The first witness called was—
Mr. William Stewart Culion, Chief Engineer of the Sur dn. He said he was in his cabin, reading, when passengers came to him and said shots were being fred. He had not heard them himself, owing to the position of his cabin, he supposed. "I thought," the witness added," "that it was the usual case? of suicide of a fantan loser. As soon as he stepped out of his cabin there were six armed men around him. He had taken a small revolver out of his desk but, he did not bee it. One pirate fired at his hend and the shot went along his check and glanced off his temple. Another pirate fired at his legs. "He went down the saloon companion way to the engine room. The pirates at that time were all on the top deck or down below for he only Baw the compradore in the second-class deck and all the passengers had appar ently been sent below, He went as far se the puras's room; the grill was shut there. Making his way to the engine room he saw no pirates but as soon as ho entered the engine room the pirates fired at him through the skylight and ordered bim, in English, to come up on to the top deck. He went up the engine room ladder and an armed man, brought him to the wheel-house and told him to top there. He was kept a prisoner, under guard, until the morning, hi
The Hon. Mr. Messer: Have you ever read the Piracy Regulations-Never sech them, nor read them,
Have you had any instructions with regard to piracy No, I have never had any instructions.
You had no organisation, that you were aware of1-Except the watchmen on board the ship.
But the officers-No, we have never had any organisation all my time. The masters have never spoken to me about what to do in the event of emergenes, u
How long have you been on the ship - Siace last March, but 15 years in the Campany.
You don't think it would be possible for waybody to think out any scheme of mechanical defences that would prevent
be practically re.built."
board bow.
them.
"...
Continuing the witness said that the first thing he saw was a man danding up and Bring a shot at the other guard.
could rot say if the guard was hit. He on the same deck. In the excitement be
drew his revolver but did not fire, be-
mixed up. He shouted to his companion." as the robbers and passengers werd
they could see what was to be done. At to make his way to the upper deck white the foot of the staircase, he was met by. five pirates. Ho fired one shot at them. back in order to "take shelter behind. and they fired three back. Witness drew some tie Behind these tins a European lady and gentleman were sheltering.
They said "If you fire they will reply Nor the ship's officers No
and bit us." They also told witness to "THE CHINESE QUARTER MASTER.
How many pirates do you think there clear away as he drew the fire and they The Chinese Second Quarter Master of were altogether Fourteen boats left the would be killed. He moved away, and He ship. Some had four and some six on the top deck he saw the Captain lying the, Sui An, then gave evidence.
that from the on the deck with a pirate standing at oscnpod from the wheel house when the Passengers. We saw
his feet with a revolver in his hand. pirates first took possession but was purser's cabin,
The Chairman: The only reason you Wisness fred one shot at the man The afterwards searched out and made to steer the vessel for several hours Ques have for saying these people you mention bullet hit him in the back and he fell tioned by Capt. Lake, he said he did noted earlier took part in the piracy was on to the deck by the Captain. Witness. moved forward and came face to face think any of the "Ave or six pirates because they were missing afterwards?
with five or six pirates. Ha dodged be. who gave him orders bad any know-
hind a wooden pillar near the engine ledge of navigation. They directed him
room and fire at them. Five pirates then came up behind. He ran forward and when near the smoke-room a pirate- fired at him and he was hit in the left sida. He became unconscious and could
He was unconscious for three or four- hours and when ho recovered three or four pirates wore kicking him.
F
Witness: Yes, I never saw them again. Hou, Mr. Mcl. Messer: Was any search
by pointing their hands and appeared to made of people going on board at Macaat require a zig-ang course. They mention--No.
ed no places by name in relation to which Capt Lake: As far as you could tell they wished him to stear. Between 18 there was no organisation to resist midnight and one am, he thought he saw pirates-No, it was quits a surprise a lighthouse light flashing. He did not see We did not dream of such a thing. That Ughts of Cheung Chau at any time and is why the surprise was a success only very distant lights of Hongkong. Do you think the grills are ever any after 1 m. be remembered sighting a protection -They weren't as they were bonfire some distance away,
I do not know if they would have been if they had been shut. There are two staircases providing sccess.
THE MYSTERIOUS WOMAN PASSENGER,
THE TYPE OF THE FIRATES.
You saw some of the pirates from time to time what sort of type wore they Of those I saw, eme were youngsters There were two men who had grey hair, two or three I should put down at about 30 years of age, and some were only about
and very short.
Inspector Walter Kent, of the Hong kong Police, giving evidence, said that when he went on board the Sus An with his family at Hongkong at 8:30 am, he noticed a Chinese woman sitting down on the starboard side. "She was very well dressed, and something out of the ordin ary. She was wearing black patant shoes, white silk stockings, a very fine bergs skirt, a kind of blous top, white under
Beplying to Mr. Shenton, the Inspector alip; also a Japanese fox fur. To me the looked as though she was wearng corsets, stated that the passengers were searched which is something out of the ordinary at the gate before going on the boat at for a Chinese woman She was a very Hongkong. The women to whom he had fine figure of a woman and I should say referred was marched, although between 28 and 20 years of age. Shortly objected
Did they give you the impression of being countrymen or townsmen --Coun trymen from their dress,
sho
3.
afterwards she was joined by a man who frbentas: It is not much use was dressed in a blue serge suit and a searching in Hongkong if the ship is. buttoned-up jacket, the collar being coming back with passengers from a placa fastened with a stud. They conversed where there is no search? Quits useless! there for three or four minutes in what-Yes. appeared to be the Waichow dialect, As a matter of general interest, is it They got up and went to the side of the not a fact that the only place along the abip. They conversed there again and coast where people are searched is at then went to the ampke room. I did not Hongkong 1-I cannot say, sco them again until four o'clock in the afternoon."
The witness mentioned that the grills on both the port and starboard side of the wheelhouse were open on the outward
The probability is that the arma which the pirates used were brought on at Macao-I think they were...
not remember what happened afterwards.
THE CAPTAIN AND THE WATCHMEN. "
four watchmen were on day duty and Hon. Mr. Messor: According to orders,
two on night duty. Who gave those orders—The Captain.
Who gave the orders for twe to be posted on the saloon deck --The Cap- tain."
Did the Captain give any instructions." to you in the case of piracy?—He never gave us any instractions.
Didn't the Captain give you a weekly instruction-No, sir,
Didn't ha test your revolvers once a weak --No, sir; we cleaned them our.
What kind of night duty were the night Watchmen doing?-The Captain gave ma- fire on the ship, and that we were to. prevent thieving from the vessel, and to. prevent dangerous things being brought on the ship.
instructions: that, we were to watch for
Did you get your instructions from the Police as to what duties you would do 7-- Yes; we did get instructions from the Polfee, but the Captain changed these orders into his own.
Did you report this to the Police - No, air, I have never made any report.
Because the Sta An is a very nice ship in compariscar with other boats-Not for that, although the Sun' is a very nien boat.
HAD NOT BEEN THE GRILL, KEYS FOR -
-NINE MONTHE
Does the Company issue from the office any instructions to the ship at all-to the journey.. The grills aft of the smokeroom have rested --I should think so. "If I had Asked by the Hon. Mr. Mosser if tho
master and engineer?-The master alway gets any instructions from the office as be
is head of the ship.
PIRACY REGULATIONS REGARDING THE
ENGINE BOOM.
were open all the time.
The Chairman: Are you familiar with the Piracy Regulations?
This man who came on with a long cont was a man on whom suspicion should been on duty at the wharf and had seen a man coming along wearing a coat like that, I should certainly have searched him.
grills between the second and third class- passenger decks were locked, witness said. that he had now been on the ship for kt nine months and during that time he had Hon. Mr. Mel. Messor: Didn't the never seen the keys or the paulocks. Indian guards search anyone at Macno
do not think so,
Mr. Shenton: Any resistance would have been futile -Certainly,
And would only have resulted in great loss of life We had nothing to do any thing with.
You" regarded it as a complete surprise to everybody on board-It was
Highly organised -It was
Hon. Mr. Messer: Do you think it would have been any good if the four guards" had been on the bridge at the time of the pizaoy? Could you have pút. Pa better fight there?-Yes, I think if we had enough ammunition we would be able to fight any number of pirates.
You were supposed to have 50 rounds of ammunition cannot say
Capt. Lake: You have
received any instructions from the Captain ro piracy No, sir. garding concerted action in the event of a Have you aver received any similar in-
never
The Inspector: No, I am not, I do not have anything to do with them. Have you any idea that the Piracy Did you notice any other breach of the the outward Regulation contemplate locking up the Piracy Begulations on doors and windows of the engine room voyage?-1 did not. when the ship is in dangerous waters.
A SUSPICIOUS LOOKING MALE. No, we have never had them locked, on
Witness went on to say that for the re. considerations of temperature and their turn voyage he went aboard at Macao being the only means of entrance and exit abortly after three o'clock in the afternoon. Otherwise, the men would have to go He went into the saloon and had tea through the saloon, and firemen are a Shortly after four o'clock the man and pretty disreputable crowd in summer.
At a minute's notice the ship was out when they are sweating and working hard. wotaan whom he had seen on board on the
In reply to Capt. Lake, the witness outward voyage passed from the port side of control-In less than five minutes the
totha starboard side. Half an hour ship was in the control of the pirates. said they could see the lights of Hong later & Chinese came aboard. He was Answering further questions, the witness structions from the Police-Yes, we got kong in the distance during the night wearing blue, glasses, and a very heavy said there was no opportunity for our instructions from the Police that we They passed to the southward of Waglan overcoat which reached to his feet. Wit organising defence. He knew that four were to be on duty near the Captain's As it was a dark night and he was not nesa said it struck him ne peculiar, as it polico launches patrolled around the room or near the grills and if any ed near enough to Waglan for the light was a very hot day, and he watched the island at night, but knew nothing about danger should arise we ware to take house keepers to see them. He thought it man. Shortly afterwards two youths, aged a Customs cruiser petrol from Sam Mun cover and fight the beet we could.
Mr. Shenton You are ordered to the.. would be practically impossible for the about 20, joined him. They were dressed leland. V
Mr. Shenton: It comes to this, that ships by the PoliceYes lighthouse-keepers to see the Sui din ordinary Chiness attire with long
And you are supposed to be fully in- costa. The man in the heavy overcoat desuming all the precautions laid down she was painted a slate grey colour
In reply to Mr. Shenton the witness spoke to them, saying We won't it this by the Regulations had been carried out, structed in your duties before you are said that if the engine room doors were rent across to the starboard side, this attack was concerned I would by the Police-Yes, in some steamers
side; the other side is better; and they they would have had no effect so far as posted to a ship-Yea
Are you given any printed instructions all bolted the heat, specially in summer, Witness continued: "I was going into not like to say that. I do not know the there are printed instruction by the would be very trying almost unbearable. the saloon, when the firing commenced on structure of the ship sufficiently well, and Police,
a navigator ho could not say if they pass
Mr. Shenton: Is your engine room the aft part of the bridge deck. I went I do not know how the engine room in Do the Police give you these instruc over searched by the police-Not in my for my wife. Shortly afterward & num: placed tonsi-Yes, they are given to each, man time. I have seen revenue officers there, ber of passengers came in, followed by Replying to Mr. Davidson, Inspector and we are fully instructed in these re- The Chairman: Is there anything in three pirates, one with an automatic Kent said that the two grills near the gulations, I don't know whether the the Regulations about the police search pistol, another with a Colt revolver and wheelhouse were open when the ship left guards remember these instructions. ing the engine roon 1
Mr. Shenton: I suppose, if you are warching for anus, you earth the whole ship
The Chairman: Bat there is nothing in the Regulations ↑
third with a carbine, the trigger of Macso
Have you ever had your arms and which he kept working backwards and Mr. Davidson remarked that he had ammunition inspected by the Police- forwards. They fired real shota into been unable to find any regulation which Many police officers come and Inspect the floor of the saloon and eventually the state that these grills were to be kept them on several occasions.
On the Jui A1-Yes, our revolvers man with the carbine sald, in Chinese, locked
have been inspected once. "Keep quiet and you will not be hurt." EVIDENCE OF THE SERGEANT OF
been o
the Then at the foremost entrance of the
Sia An for nine months and my revolver saloon another pirate came in with a
has been examined curvada revolver and another from the starboard side without a weapon. He took up two guards on the Sui An, was next called. last examined About two months ago.
THE GUARD
The Indian Sargeant in charge of the
The Chairman: When were the arms
Were any of the grilla locked on this
Mr. Shenton replied in the negative, In reply to Mr. Davidson, the witness raid that anyone on the upper deck could Cover with a revolver, the officer on duty at the starting platform.
Mr Davidson Bo once the guards in kniven from the saloon table and started When the ship left basso he posted the the second class are shot there is nothing to smash the crockery on the table. Later guards, two on the saloon deck and two day All of them were open except tapébvent the second-clam pussengers we were searched; all I lost at that time on the middle deck. The remaining two those rear the saloon, they were closed. from surrounding the light?
Witzen: No, and that, what the pirater were doing. They red at me as mood Ipatered.
was a gold ring #
The Chairman kind was made t
The Inspector: None whatever
word detailed for night duty. He was Further evidence was given by another
No resistance of any one of the four on day duty, and was on Indian grd and the Inquiry adjourned the middle deck. Guards were posted on for the day? The Commission will meet the port and starboard sidne of both again, this afternoon.