COPY.
Hon. C.S.P.
Sir,
Enclosure No.10.
海
A
159
Piracy on s/s Tean in Hoi How Harbour.
The above ship was due to sail for Hong Kong
at 5 a.m. on Sunday 27th inst. with a general cargo and
live stock and about 200 Chinese and 3 European Passengers.
The night was dark and a rain storm was,on at the time.
蔡
th 31
廷
梢
陳銘樞
General Tsoi Ting Kai, under Chan ling Shy came on board
傅炳坤
with his body Guard, also Mr. Foo Ping Kwan, Commissioner
of Foreign Affairs and Inspector of Customs.
The Customs
Some cargo had been "Shut
Authorities cleared the ship.
Out" owing to the rain. There was a Chinese Warship at
anchor close to the "Tean". There were also other steamers
close to her. The "Tean" is fitted with grilles and
carries 4 Indian Guards, none of whom were on "watch"
while the ship was at Hoi How. The ship's armament con-
sisted of 10 revolvers, 6 Winchester Rifles and 2 shot
guns and 1200 rounds of ammunition.
The Pirates suddenly rose up and got control
of the vessel as the Indian Guards and Officers (except
those on watch) were sleeping. The pirates lost no time
in securing the ship's arms as they were very poorly armed,
when they launched the attack.
The
The 2nd Officer (J.R.Forster) who was on Deck
attempted to disarm the first pirate he encountered.
pirate levelled his revolver at the Officer and pulled
the trigger several times but the revolver did not go off.
Then other pirates came on the scene and the Officer ran
along the Deck pursued by pirates who fired several shots
at him, none taking effect. The officer evaded his pursuers
in the darkness. The pirates who were pursuing the 2nd
Officer rushed on the Bridge and shot the first person
they saw (thinking he was the 2nd Officer). The man they
shot was none other than the Assistant Pirate Chief.
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