From
The Commodore, HONG KUNO.
Date
22nd May, 1981.
No...M.K.0260.
9
The Commander-in-Chief, China Station.
Subject .. Special Anti-Piracy Guarda on British
Steamers.
ith reference to admiralty Message 1140 of
2nd May, 1931 and my reply thereto 0100 of 8th May, 1931,
the following general report un anti-iiracy Guards is
submitted.
*. The undermentioned shipping Companies employ
special guards which are recruited and trained by the
Hongkong Police:-
(1) Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd. (C.P.R.)
(11) British India Steam Navigation Co. (B.I.)
(111) Indo China Steam Navigation Co. (Jardine's)
(iv) China Navigation Co.
(146.)
(1) Calok. Steamers, plying between Hongkong and Shanghai, carry a guard of 12 Russians. This guard, when no longer required is accommodated at either of the above porta, until the arrival of another C.P.k. Sháp for the return voyage. It is not considered that ships of this company actually need protection but, no doubt, the presence on board of an imposing guard of uniformed white men has a good effect on the bookings by first class Asiatic passengers.
(11) and (111) B.I. and Jardine steamers, employed
on the Hongkong, Singapore, Calcutta run, share their guards which are exchanged at either Hongkong or Eingapore, While at Hongkong, if time permits they are drilled by the Hongkong Folice officers. As an example of a "round trip", 5.8. SUIGANO (Jardine) embarks a guard at Hong Kong, sails for Singapore where the guard is disembarked and then proceeds to Calcutta without a guard. The guard meanwhile is accommodated by the Singapore rolice and in, say, four days' time embarks in ʊ.E. TALARBA (B.I) which ship is returning from India and proceeding to liongkong.
The total....