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"being a well known haunt of these criminals.
"Having thoroughly looted the vessel, the pirates departed "by a number of junks which came alongside by prearranged signal,
leaving the "Suian" to go on her way.
"The Chief Offißer Mr.J.T.Copland, who had been wounded "in the fight took charge of the vessel, the Captain lying very "severely wounded and in a critical condition; the vessel was "brought to Hongkong and Captain Biras removed to hospital.
"A commission was appointed to inquire into the circum- "etances attending this piracy and on that commission there was "not one active Mercantile Marine Officer, but was composed of;- "Mesars J.R.Wood, Magistrate, C. Mcl.Messer, Colonial Treasurer, "C.W.Beckwith Com. R.N. (now retired) Harbour Master, H.P.White. "Managing Director Douglas Steamship Co. and P.M.B.Lake, Marine "Superintendent (retired), and these gentlemen have brought in "a finding, that a British shipmaster was negligent for not "having been armed with a revolver and twenty five rounds of "ammunition in order to resist to the utmost; for the protection "of the property of the shipowner who has never suggested or "offered any recompense in cases of his servants injury or death.
"The finding of the Suian Piracy Commission was dated "Hongkong 26th January 1923, since when enquiry into piracies "has been held".
"3.S."Sanning". This vessel, registered at Hongkong, and "owned by the Shiu Kee S.S. Company, carried a British Master, "Chief Officer and Chief Engineer; she left Hongkong at 6.30 p.m. "23rd October 1923 bound on her usual voyage to Kongmoon with "300 Chinese passengers and about five hundred tons of cargo; the "passengers all supposed to have been searched for arms by the "police before going on board.
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"The vessel was just two hours away from the Wharf at "Hongkong when about sixty of the passengers suddenly commenced "flourishing revolvers and firing with a view to causing a panic.
"The bridge was attacked and the Chief Officer Mr.0.3. "Robb, who with the pilot was in charge at the time, returned "the fire but was wounded at the outset, and gallantly fought "against three piratea until his ammunition was expended, then "striking one of his assailants with the butt of his revolver he "fell exhausted through loss of blood. The Master Captain "J.C.MacKechnie, who was below at the time the shooting commenced, "was shot through the lower jaw when opening his cabin door; · "another bullet passing through his right arm, any further resis- "tance was hopeless, for the vessel was now completely in the hands "of the pirates.
"Under the direction of one of these ruffians the vessel "was navigated to Bias Bay the remainder of the gang systematically "looting and loading up the boats.
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"On arrival at their haunt the boats were lowered and the "pirates with their loot left the vessel which was then directed "back to Hongkong, where the police had been notified and an "ambulance was ready to take the Captain and Chief Officer to "hospital, where they remained several weeks before recovery.
"8.5. "Hydrangea". The next daring and successful piracy "was that of the above named vessel, formerly one of the flower "claas mine-sweeping aloops of H.M. Navy.
of "This vessel, owned by the Chiu On Steamship Co., "Hongkong, left this port at 4.00 p.m. 27th December 1923, for "Swatow with about five hundred Chinese passengers nine of which "were first class, nineteen second, and the remainder being deck "passengers.
"All went well until seven o'clock when dinner was being "served Captain W.Brewer, two officers and two engineers dining "together, the third officer and pilot (Chinese) being in charge "of the bridge.