Copy.
No.167.
Sir,
со
17258285
"Minotaur" at Hong Kong AY 13
21
8th April 1913.
xcellency
With regard to the recent "Tai-on" piracy case,
I have the honour to furnish Your Excellency with the following remarks on the naval measures adopted for the
patrol of the West River, and the waterways between
Hong Kong, Canton and Macao.
2.- The vessels employed consist of three river
gunboats, which remain permanently in the West River, only
visiting Hong Kong for rafit, or on other exceptional
occasions, and four torpedo boats, two of which are
always on patrol duty, the other two baing at Hong Kong.
3.- The patrol is divided into the following sections:-
(a) Between Kongmoon and Wangmoon
(b) Delta between Wangmoon and Samshui.
(c) Between Samshui and Wuchow
4.-
..
2 torpedo boats.
1 gunboat.
2 gunboats.
The powers vested in Commanding Officers of the patrol vessels may be summarised as follows :-
(a) If a vessel is suspected to be piratical she may
be examined, and if there are strong grounds for supposing
that such is the case she may be detained.
(b) Officers may use force when fired upon;
or,
when a piracy is actually seem to take place, to effect the destruction or capture of the pirates.
(c) Landing in Chinese territory in pursuit of or search for pirates is strictly forbid ten.
5.- Reports are received monthly from the patrolling vessels as to the state of security of traffic, and also
on all matters of interest, together with details of their movoments and proceedings during the previous month.
Sir Francis H.May,
Governor and Commander-in-Chiaf,
K.C.H.G.
Hong Kong.
Recent