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THE SEAMEN'S INSTITUTE.
[4108
“NO OPTION BUT TO OBEY.”
SUNNING CAPTAIN'S GRAPHIC STORY,
THREATENED WITH REVOLVER BY ANGRY PIRATE.
SHIP HEADED STRAIGHT FOR LAMON ROCKS.
PIRACY TRIAL OPENED AT MAGISTRACY.
"I had no other option but to do what they wanted me to," I was under their orders, and if I had not done what they wanted me to, it would have been the fish of the ship, myself," the officers and the passengers," said Captain James Pringle, Master of the ill-fated Sun. ning (China Navigation Company) when giving evidence at the opening of the trial of the alleged pirates at the Central Magistracy yesterday afternoon.
The caso was outlined by Mr. H. K. Holmes (Crown Solicitor) and, following this," Captaïr 'Pringle" related a graphic story of how he was greeted with the startling news that pirates were in control of the ship. Several of the gang forced their way into the Chart Room, took his weapons, ́prodded him with a revolver, and smacked the wireless operator's face because he could not understand their dialect.
When the twenty accused men, held on charges arising out of the piracy of the Sunaing were led, handcuffed in twos, into Court, the public portion of the building was already crowded with spectators, the majority being Chinese. Taking up their position in front of the dock, behind the solicitor's table, the accused presented an interesting spectacle. Rather on the short side for the most part, their countenanCES varied in expression. The majority appeared to tako little interest in- their surroundings; few "looked "tough customers," and all were rough and unkempt. Some were fairly well dressed, in simple, native clothing; sons were barefooted, and others had shoes but no socks. One man was still wearing bloodstained trousers and a bandage around his head.
On taking up their positions in the dock, the handcuffs were removed, and a strong guard of police officers and Chinese detectives, placed them- selves at the doors of the Court and elsewhere. Each prisoner had a -card-round his-aeck, bearing a number and his name is English and”
Chinese.
The hearing of the evidence of each witness will take a considerable. time as it has to be translated into half-dozen dialects, including Cantonesc, Fukien, Ningpo, Japanese, etc. Five interpreters have. been engaged. Mr. J. A. Gordon Leask is defending the 19th accused, Mr. Leo d'Almada the 2nd accused and Mr. M. K. Lo the 6th and ten others.
The names, age and occupation of each | went down to dinner about seven o'clock, of the defendants, together with the town and the Chief Engineer, who had been or village from which he is stated to of retaking the Sunning.
below, was spoken to as to the possibility
come from, is as follows:-
1.-Lan Tse Leung 35, cloth seller,
Hoi Fang.
2.-Lam Hon Ki 32, disbanded soldier,
Koi Fing 3.-Chan Lei 33, tin-amith, Shum Chun. -Sun Mau 26, unemployed, Tai Ping, 5.--Chang Chu Ming se, unemployed.
Waichow.
*
G-Sc Tik Sui 40, Mason, Aberdeen. 7.-Wu Pang 25, unemployed, Tung
Kun.
ed in closing the grilles and locking About nine o'clock the officers succeed
them.
"
After this best left the fuming, at They then took witness back into the about" 4:40 am,, went on Ar. Holmes, Chart Room and spaka in Chinese, but any attempt by the pirates to recapture witness could not understand what they the ship seems to have stopped." The | said. The Cantonese wireless operator Captain and the crew started at once was then requisitioned, but he too failed to grapple with the fire.
to understand what the pirates wore say- Ing or wanting..
Assistance Arrives. Assistance came at length, however, in
- Smacked his Face, the shape of B... Bluebell
When they could not make the wire Japanese steamer, also arrived on the less operator understand," continued scene about two o'clock in the morning, Capt. Pringle, "they became exasperat but went off. Another vessel also appeared and smacked his face. One of the ed about three o'clock. Later the" Sui
piraten got angry and rammed his gun tung appeared and stood by the Sun
into my stomach, but another of the ning. Assistance by the Sut Lang anu pirates shoved him away." Bluebell was given in putting out the tre, and the Blucbelt then left in 'soarch of the boats; while the Sui Yang con- tinued to stand by the stricken siny, and eventually accompanied the Sunning back to Hong Kong when she was taken in tow by the tug Taikoo,
Commenting on what happened on board the Sunning when the pirates were in control, Mr. Holmes said the Chinese passengers were driven down into the fargo open space in the ship (No. 4 hold 'tween decks).
Capt. Pringle identified the third ac eused as the man who shoved his gun into his stomach, and also identified the sixth accused as the man who shoved his Witness added that companion away. No. 8,was also armedi
Pringle, "a tall, well-dressed Chinaman, At this juncture," went on Capt.
tacies with horn rims, came in and spoke wearing a long coat, soft hat, and spec to the wireless operator. The wireless operator then told me that Sai Mun
was referred tö,”
As far as the third class passengers were concerned, said the Crown Solicitor, Mun," which is on the western side of Witness pointed out on the chart "Sai there were one or two cases of watches the entrance to Bias Bay. The well- being stolen, etc. The pirates chiefly dressed Chinaman then pointed out Ping went for the second class passengers, how-Hoi, which is on the eastern side of the ever, from whom they stole money, rings entrance to Bias Bay, and is a small and bracelets.
inland town. *-
Mr. Holmes then referred to the safa being rifled, and said that the second compradore would say that he found the saic empty, several thousand dollars being stolen.
This concluded the opening statement for the Crown and evidence was then called.
1
Capt. Pringle added that at this time the well-dressed man had a pipe in his hand, but later witness saw him with a revolver.
Appeared to be the Leader.
Pringle said that this man appeared to In auswer to Mr. Holmes, Captain
be the leader of the gang, for the other pirates fell back on his entry to the Chart Room, and were very silent when he spoke.
Witness was informed through the wire- less operator that no harm would be- fall the officers or the Europeans if the ship was taken to where the pirates
THE EVIDENCE.
Photographs, Put In. Sub-Inspector Vincent was the firas witness called, and he put in copies of four photographs which he had taken on board the Sunning at Taikoo Deck. wished.
Mr. d'Almada questioned the Inspector as to how many photographs were taken, ard Inspector Vincent replied six altogether.
Mr. Lindsell remarked that he could not see that it was essential as to whe ther the Inspector bad taken any more photographs than those put in or not.
Mr. d'Almada replied that he asked the question because he could not say at present whether it would be of use to his defence or not.
Mr. Lindsell: I cannot see how it can be essential in any case as to how many Photographs the Inspector took of the ship.
Mr. d'Almada You need not take it question. He might have taken photo down your Worship, but I must ask the graphs of the men as well as the ship, Mr. Lindsell: I thought you were re ferring to the ship.
In answer to Mr. Lindsell, Mr. Holmes said that most of the pirates were arm. ed, and there was a constant coming and going. The Captain even found two of stood this, and replied that he took six Inspector Vincent said he also under- then in a cabin smoking. opium. The photographs in all, of which he had put pirates were all about the ship, and even-in copies of four. taally became.very suspicious.
The Captain's Story. Scheme to Recapture Ship.
Captain James Pringle, Master of the Proceeding, Mr. Holmes said that the Sunning, was the next witness called, and Second Officer (Mr. Kurat) explained to be unfolded part of a very interesting 9.-Lei Tai 26, unemployed, Canton. bis fellow officers his scheme for the re-story. He had by no means completed 10.-Lei Yun 39, fitter, Tung Kun.
capturing of the vessel. The ship was his evidence when the Court adjourned, 11-Sam Tsoi 28, unemployed, San allowed to continue on its course until and he will continue his narrative this
Ming-
after mid-night when there were on the morning. 12-Loung Tsok 28, pantryman, Nambridge the Captain, Chief Officer, Second Capt. Pringle said that since. August
Hoi.
Officer, to quartermaster and two pirates:
S-Lai Chuen Chun 44 druggist,
Formosa.
Kun
13.-Chan In 28, coolie, Walchow. 14. Tam Lam 29, stoker, Tung Kan. 16. Tam Nagai Shi, ailor, Tung 16.-Kwok Man 96, sailor, Tung Kun. 17-Tsui Wu 24, carpenter, Pun U. 18. Tso Wo 38, stoker; Tang Kun. 18.-Taze. Chung 41, carpenter, Ningpo. "20.-Chan Kam, 38, disbanded soldier,
Waichow.
Opening the case on behalf of the Crown, Mr. Holmes said tat he pro- posed to open rather shortly. He did not wish to go at length into the car, as it seemed to him that the story would
unfold itself.
Mr. Holmes related how the Sunning | left Amoy on November 15th for Hong Kong, The Captain was about to go the Chart Room in the afternoon to sight the Lammocks, when his Second Officer rushed in and told him that there were pirates on board. A few seconds later a pirate, pushed a revolver against the Captain's body, and there was a lot of talking in Chinese which was not under stood. Eventually it. was found that the pirates were referring to a place called Sai, Mun" on the western side of Bias Bay, but the leader of the gang said they wanted Ping Hoi on the cratern side of Bias Bay,
3rd last he had been Master of the Sunning.
61
Witness promised to take the ship where the pirates wished, but on going to the bridge he found that the ship'i course had been altered and that they are heading towards Lamon Rocks He if they remained on this course they explained to the apparent loader that. would have to go down to Lammocks to avoid the rocks. After a lot of talking he (witness) was allowed to haul the ship around on to her old course.
The Captain's Predicament. In answer to Malmes Captain Pringle said "If done what they wanted there was the chance of a finish the finish of the ship, the finish of me and the officers, and the of the ship, the crew, the passengers, and finish of the passengers. I had to think the Company, They had said they would not harm the ship or Europeans if I did what they wished. I had no option bat to do what they wanted me to
Continuing his evidence. Captain Pringle "asid that when he reached the navigating bridge thefe was the Chief Officer, the second officer, two quarter- piratca followed him up. The pirates masters and three "pirates there. More taked for a considerable time as to whe ther the course should be changed. Some of them did not seem to like the iden of changing course, and appeared to dialike having to go near the lighthouse. Eventually, however, they allowed him to alter course, as stated,,
At this stage of the proceedings, Capt. Pringle pointed out the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 11th and 20th accused as being on the bridge at the time he referred to,
Capt. Pringle said he was on the bridge o'clock, when he went down, and bad or in the chart room until about 6.40 ar
his dinner. The Chief Officer remained
we
Chilang Point Light was approached.
Witness then went on to describe the and as the light showed up the Chief various decks and other parts of the Officer pointed out the light to the two vessel, dealing with the main deck, saloon pirates. He handed one of the pirates a deck, boat dock and bridge deck and pair of binoculars, and while both were the boats were numbered, odd numbers navigating bridge. He mentioned "that the glasses, and the other with the naked looking at the spot indicated, one through
on the starboard side and even numbers eye, the Second Officer armed himself on the port side. He also described the on the bridge during his absence.. with a deep sen lead, a formidable position of the wireless operator's room
- Company's Steamer Passed. weapon something like a truncheon. The on the after part of the boat-deck and
When Second Officer struck one of the men on spoke of the position of the grilles, which
were approaching the the head, and, directly afterwards struck
ran athwart the ship on the saloon deck. Lammocks," continued Capt. Pringle, the other. One man was knocked out, tween decks was sometimes used for pany's steamers She put up her flag, There were four holds, and the No. 4 hold "we passed the Anhui, one of the Com- but the second man rushed at the Chief third class Chinese passengers, and some-
but the pirates would not allow me to Officer (Mr. Beatty), who grappled with times for freight. It was possible, said put up our fing. This was about 4.30.. him, and overcame him.
Just then a pirate came up from the Holmes, for access to be obtained to the and I should have dipped my flag to him witness in reply to a question by Mr. The master of the Anhui is senior to me, alleyway and red two shots at the bridge through a skylight in his cabin. first. I leaned out over the end of the Second Officer, who being armed, return ed the fire, and the pirate fell down. Pringle," the Sunning left Amoy for another prominent position, so that in On November 15th, continued Capt. bridge, and the Chief Officer took up apparently dend. The Chief Officer hit Hong Kong with general cargo and case anyone on the Anhui was looking one pirate, breaking a ride in the process passengers. About 3 p.m. the same day oat with glasses they would see us and A revolver was handed to the Captain,we were between the Lammocks and the know that there was something wrong. and eventually one side of the bridge mainland side. About 3.20 p.m. the boy when I had failed to dip my flag, which was guarded by the Captain and the woke me in my cabin and brought me is the rule. I was hoping they would other end by the Chief Officer and the some tea. I finished it and proceeded realise something was wrong.". Second Officer. A running Eight ensued, toward the Chart Room for the purpose and spasmodic firing went on for some of seeing the Lammocks, which I knew evidence, Mr. Lindsell adjourned the case At, this juncture of Capt. Pringle's hours. Eventually the pirates became I ought to be able to see about this until this morning at 11 o'clock, when desperate and set fire to the ship in the time. alleyway hear the after deck. The
Captain Pringle will again go into the Capt. Pringle went on to say that while box. officers managed to snipe several more of going from his cabin into the Chart the pirates by the light of the flames. At Room he heard a row, but took little length one of the pirates called out to notice of it, as it was quite usual when the Captain that if he and his comrades carrying inese passengers for there to gave up their arms the fire would be be a lot of talking and noise. put out. This offer was immediately re-
Later, said Mr. Holmes, Mr. Lapsley, one of the European passengers, who was coming to Hong Kong, was called upon by the pirater to act as interpreter, and appeared to be appointed interpreter.
Mr. Lindsell asked what was meant by fused. saying that Mr. Lapsley was appointed interpreter !
The Pirates Threzi,
Pirate Leader Leaves.
Faces at the Window.
taken back to the goal.
The accused were then re-manacled and.
COAL DESTROYED AT EAST POINT.
"I had entered the Chart. Room, had About this time a small boat No. 6, looked at the Lammocks, and was about was lowered and put off by the pirates, to go and see what the row was about About a hundred tons of Japanese coal Mr. Holmes replied that Mr. Lepsley and apparently the leader went in that when the second officer entered the Chart was destroyed by fire at Messrs. Jardine, made arrangements with the ship's boat. It was lowered partly by the Room and said there are pirates on Matheson's godown at East Point" yes officers on behalf of the pirates and acted ship's guards and by the ship's crew.
board. I repeated pirates," and with terday. Two fire angines, one from na their interpreter and was walking about with the principal pirate.
In his evidence, said Mr. Holmes, the that some strange faces appeared at the Central and the other from Wanchai, Captain of the Suming would say that Port window of the Chart Room," were despatched to the scene soon after Continuing, Mr. Holmes said that the the boat was not handled in a seamanlike Capt. Pringle proceeded to relate how 19.30 p.m. and eventually extinguished Captain of the Sunning was given to unmanner; that there was a high sea run-be went, toward the port side door to the blaze. One pump was, however, kept derstand that if he took the ship to the ning, and that the boat was not under go out, but before he could reach it the on until late in the evening, point the pirates indicated no harm proper control. At any rate, this boat several pirates were seen to be there had a call to a private house in Russell door was opened from the outside and At "about 4.30 p.m the Fire Brigade would be done to him or to anyone else. had never been heard of since. On the other band, if resistance was made Later another boat, No. 8 was lowered, "I made to go out," continued, the wit Street where a fire had occurred on the the pirates threatened extreme action, this being the boat which H.M.B." but they pushed me back into the second floor. Damage, however, amount- even if it meant that they would have to Bluebell picked up with nine pirates on Chart Boom again and several of themed only to about $30. shoot themselves afterwards... bourd.
began flourishing automatic revolvers. I asked them in English what they want- ed, and one of them pointed to his re- volver."
By this, Capt Pringle
said, be un
deck by the officer. In her were the Chief Officer, the third engineer, the lady derstood that the pirates wanted his
WEATHER REPORT.
The Crown Bolicitor went on to relate While the fire was at its worst and the how the ship was kept on her course by Bames spreading the No. 2 boat was the Captain, who was on the bridge with lowered from the port side of the boat the Chief Officer from the tinie the
The weather report, forecast and re- pirates were discovered, until 8:40 pm when he (the Captain) went for a meal passenger and the quartermasters. There guns. He took three of them into his marks, issued by the Royal Observatory At this time the ship was completely in was no intention of letting the boat cabin and showed them a locker, from at 6.10 p.in, yesterday, states: charge of the pirates, but the second go unless real danger arose, but the which they took a tile and revolver. The anti-cyclone has strengthened officer was allowed a certain amount of Remes burnt through the rope, and the They then indicated that they wanted the alightly. Frem monsoon may be expect liberty and went about the ship, with a little craft drifted away. She as pick ammunition, and witness showed them ea along the SE coast of China and view to seeing if it was possible to reed up by Norwegian. vessel, and even another locker and they took Sity rounds over the N. China Bea capture the vessel. He succeeded in ob-1 tually the passengers were brought back of rifle ammunition and 25 rounds of Local forecast: NE winds, moderate
to fresh fair. taining: a revolver. The Chief Officer to Hong Kong by a British vessel.
volver, ammunition.