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Mr. Thomson although mortally wounded, staggered into the saloon and there to the alleyway trying to get to the cabin of Dr. L. K. Woo, the ship's doctor. The sea was rough at the time, and with the roll, Mr. Thomson pitched forward out- side the bathroom. Dr. Woo came out of his cabin with the intention of attending to the wounded man, but he was prevented from doing so by several robbers. He was also taken to the pantry and locked in.
Knocked On The Head.
The third officer, Mr. A. I. Campbell, who was sitting on the starboard side of the promenade deck heard the commotion but be- fore he could do anything, he was knocked on the head by a missile. He was dazed by the blow, but pluckily ran to the port side of the ship in an attempt to gain the lad- der leading to the bridge. He was, however, stabbed in the back and when he came to after several hours, he found himself near the dead bodies of Mr. Jones and the Chinese quartermaster.
Pirates Take Control.
At this stage the pirates took complete control of the ship. They acted very quickly and systematical- ly. Mr. E. C. O. Bird was then in the engine room. A Chinese fire- man told him that "topside plenty trouble," and on coming up, he was met by a pirate who thrust revolver against his side. The weapon was one which had been taken by the pirates from the ship's armoury.
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Mr. Bennett, the 2nd officer, was then released and forced to navi- gate the ship under the command of the robbers. He was only allow- ed a few short respites from the bridge until the pirates left. The engineers, Mr. Norris, Mr. T. Curry and Mr. Bird carried on as usual in the engine room, but al- ways under guard.
Arms Collected.
The pirates carefully searched the ship's armoury. There were 24 fire-arms on board, but the robbers only found 23, one having been hidden by Mr. Norris.
Orders were then given for the ship to be steered for Swatow. The pirates then changed their attitude, and although they kept the strictest watch over the officers, they were no longer personally hostile.
They even relented to the extent of getting Dr. Woo to attend to Capt. Plunkett-Cole after removing him to the saloon from the bridge. Dr. Woo was taken to the surgery under guard to get his instruments and medicine and returning with these, he did everything that was possible for Capt. Plunkett-Cole, who was then placed on a settee.
The weather was still rough and the Anking preceded on her way with all lights out. The robbers wert so far as to disconnect all the switches. Only candles and torches were used.
Ransack The Ship.
Three hours after the ship had been captured, the pirates turned their attention to the passengers' belongings. The latter were told that they would be shot without com- punction if they tried to hide any- thing. First they were ordered to open their baggage, and then one by one they were marched onto the main deck, and as they came out, women and children, were thorough- ly searched. They were assembled on the main deck, under guard, and leaving a strong guard some of the pirates went below and conducted a careful search of the passengers' belongings. They spent several hours over the job and when they returned on deck, they had a small basketful of banknotes and jewel- lery.
They next turned their attention to the officers' cabins and took away everything of value, even navigat- ing instruments were taken, and what was not stolen was smashed.
Compradore Wanted.
The only glimmer of humour in this tragic business was provided by the Compradore. On the night that the ship was captured, the pirates asked for the Com- pradore. This man was in hiding, and not finding him, the robbers played havoc with his room break- ing open his safe from which they got $4,300 in cash. The compra- dore's gramophone and an expen- sive rug were also added to the booty.
The pirates then declared that they would not take the compradore captive and thus re-assured, the Compradore came out of his hid- ing place and they promised to re- turn $50 to him.
On Friday night, however, the compradore had a sudden fear that when the robbers left the ship, they might take him as captive after all, and he again went into hiding. In the meantime, the pirates had placed $50 beneath the compradore's pillow but when they could not find him they took the money away.
Seven Kidnapped.
One Chinese first class and six steerage passengers were taken by the robbers for ransom, These seven men had little cash on them, but they each had a bank draft, and these they showed to the pirates when they were searched.
When the robbers assembled these seven men to take them away, though the hapless passengers offered their drafts to the bandits in exchange
for freedom. The Pirate chief said that the draft would not be of any use to them as the passengers would
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