J
5.
44
I found the ship in great disorder, cupboards,
drawers, and other furniture had been evidently maliciously damaged. Bedding and cooking utensil had been missing.
The ship was in complete darkness
lamp was on board.
-
only one oil
Acting on your instructions I arrested the remaining
firemen and engine room staff, except the engineers, and also
the compradore and his staff and brought them to Police Headquarters. I also brought the passengers ashore and put
them in a boarding house. They were of the poorer class
which may account for the fact that no attempt was made to
take them for ransom.
All were released after Police were satisfied that
none of them were implicated in the piracy.
7. A daylight inspection was made of the ship with
special attention being paid to the possible discovery of specially arranged secret compartments for smuggling opium,
but without success.
In view of the fact that no bullion, valuable cargo or wealthy passengers were carried on this particular trip I am of the opinion that the pirates were after "Opium", but whether any was discovered is not likely to leak out unless some of the pirates are arrested.
The damage to the furniture referred to may be connected with the search instituted by the pirates for this
drug.
There is an inducement to smuggle Chinese Opium into Indo-China via Hong Kong. This is a likely class of
line. steamer to be engaged in this illicit smuggling as a side
8. I consider that the question of reward for arrest and conviction of the pirates should not be considered yet, silence in this respect for the time being may yield better
results