61
the "Irene" to elow down and eventually stop.
Subsequently the vessel was seen to be on fire
aft, but even if it be the fact that the fire was
caused by a shell, the circumstances indicate that
the rapid spread of the fire was caused by the
pirates, whose practice, as exemplified in the
ocze of the
"Bum:ing" referred to above, was
to fire une ship in ouses where it appeared an-
likely that they wud be able to retain possession
f her, alle who are known to have previously
threatened to set fire to the "Irene". There-
upou every effort waă Cade by submarine L.,
and alco by cubmazino L.ô which eabsequently
arrived, to save the ship and those on board,
Dealers of the crew of the L.4 repeatedly diving
OVE the ship' wide to rescue drowning Chinese,
and of the two hundred and fifty eight passengers
là ron Gi ba hội (the fire given in
u's
late of Docecbar 22nd, 1927) six ship's officers
and two hud rød aid twenty six Chinese METO
rescued. About twenty four persons, eight of
whom