CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916 — Page 337

Messrs. ALFRED HOLT & Co.

Dear Sirs,

(58)

S.S "ALCINOUS,"

SINGAPORE,

February 11th, 1916.

I beg to inform you of our safe arrival here, at 11 a.m. yesterday.

I also beg to report that the ship's Engineers discovered at Port Swettenham, stowed in Starboard Stokehold Bilge, a quantity of Opium: Ten (10) Ballas, Five (5) sealed tins full of small packages, one (1) open tin, containing 11 small tins (Glasgow Mixture tins), 1 Packet Dross, 1 Tin Dross. The gross weight of the above was 177 lbs. I reported the seizure to the Customs at Port Swettenham; they boarded the ship and took the Opium on shore, giving me a receipt for it, corresponding to the above list. No. 1 Fireman was missing when we left for this Port. I have made an entry in the Log, and have had the above stroked off Articles. No Opium has been discovered at this Port by Revenue Officers, except 1 lb. of Dross.

The Crew throughout are all well and everything satisfactory.

Enclosures: 1. Abstract of Logs

2. Change Crew

3. Overcarried Cargo

I remain,

Your Obedient Servant,

(Signed) R. BIE,

(59)

"ALCINOUS,"

HONG KONG,

February 21st, 1916.

Messrs. ALFRED HOLT & Co.

Dear Sirs,

I beg to inform you of our safe arrival here at noon on the 19th. Yours of the 9th January (re War Bonus "Laertes" Firemen) received. I have deducted the amount during their stay at Liverpool.

Chinese Firemen have all been discharged, and crew shipped on new articles. Mr. Peard has been transferred to "Titan" (Mr. Peard is a very good officer). I also beg to report that Chief Officer and Engineers of this ship discovered 2,106 lbs. (gross) of Opium stowed under coal in Port Bunker, concealed in a box, the Limber Boards having been cut to pass it up from Bilges and Boards replaced. It was discovered at 5 a.m. at this Port on the morning after arrival. The Quarter Master on watch noticed strange Chinese on Board and a Sampan alongside and gave the report, and another search was made with the above result. Authorities have taken and given receipt for the above. I also beg to inform you that the Superintendent of Government Monopolies Department at Singapore rewarded an Engineer $500 for finding Opium at Port Swettenham. We sail to-day having discharged 2,500 tons Home and Coast Cargo. The crew are all well and everything satisfactory.

I remain,

Your Obedient Servant,

(Signed) R. BIE.

ENCLOSURES:

1. Abstract of Log

2. Account of Wages

3. Change Crew

4. Overcarried Cargo