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The pirates then ordered him to sail for
Aberdeen but when outside the harbour they ordered course
for Samun as they were afraid of the alarm being given
by the junks at Aberdeen.
At 1030, 28th May 1929, ship was at entrance
to Bias Bay when the stern of the "SOML" was observed
behind Bate Island.
The pirates immediately ordered course for
Cliff Bay and prepared to leave the ship. The new course
made it appear that the "TEAN" was taking the inshore channel.
When one mile from the shore ship was stopped
and the pirates lowered the two port lifeboats. At about
this time, a Chinese Customs launch was observed. This
launch had been sent by orders of the Police at Samun. On
the boats being lowered the "SOMME" weighed and closed,
sending a landing party to intercept the pirates. In the
*TEAN'S" boats were the Chief and Second Officers and seven
Chinese passengers for ransom. The Captain of the "TEAN"
warned *SOMME" not to open fire on boats as two of his
Officers were in them. The "TEAN'S" boats landed in the
surf and the occupants got ashore.
The Customs Launch and "SOMME'S" party went rou
round the headland to avoid destruction of boats. The
pirates released their hostages to delay the pursuit in
order to escape. The Second Officer, against whom the
pirates had a grudge, escaped by jumping overboard before
landing and was fired on. This Officer was thought to have killed a pirate (a brother of the Chief Pirate). This pirate however was actually killed by one of his confederates.
One of the seven Chinese passengers was killed ashore by falling or being pushed over a cliff.
The