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4. From the information available, I concur in the
view expressed by Lieutenant Commander Pigou in paragraph 12
of his report that this outrage was not a normal piracy, but
a murderous attack on the Captain and Officers by the ex-crew
of the "SAN NAM HOI" supported probably by a number of
brigands. A summary of the evidence pointing to this
conclusion is:-
(a) The threat by the members of the Union.
(b) Recognition on board "SAN NAM HOI" of discharged
members of the crew.
(c) No attempt to interfere with passengers or Engine
Room. Pirates entered the Chinese passenger saloon, but only ordered the passengers there to remain quiet and asked for information as to the where- abouts of the compradore.
(a) The apparent knowledge of ship's custom in leaving
grills open for half an hour after leaving port. This information might have been known to ordinary pirates, but would definitely have been known to
ex-crew.
(e) The action of the pirates in deserting the ship
opposite an unfriendly village.
5.
I am of the opinion that Lieutenant Commander Pigou
of H.M.S. "FAULKNOR" acted promptly and correctly and did
all that could be done locally. He had anticipated the instructions contained in my 1405/17 ordering "FAULKNOR"
to Pak Kai to urge the local authorities to take immediate
action and was already doing this when the signal was made.
6. Apart from a demand that the branch of the Seamen's
Union at Pak Kai should be proscribed, the only retaliatory
action that suggests itself to me for the murdering of three British subjects and the wounding of two others is
that a suitable indemnity should be paid by the Canton
Government.
The port of Pak Kai being closed until the indemnity is
paid.
I consider the port could be closed by two or at
the most three vessels.
This/