Report on Piracy of the s.s. Fungohow"
(Commodore, HongKong's No. H. K.530 dated 8th February 1935)
77
16. About this time, H.M.S. "Defender" was seen from the Tungohow", which, however, being up against the land, was not seen from. "Defender",
17. Aircraft No.870 sighted the Tungchow" again at 1530 on returning from the sweep, and aircraft No.876 saw her getting under way at 1536. The observer of No.870 noticed that the "Tungchow" had hoiated the Red Ensign. The disguise of the ship's funnel with white bands appears to have been very successful.
18. At about 1536 the "Tungchow" weighed and stood out to sea, hoping to attract "Defender's" attention; but as "Defender" was steaming towards Chilang at 24 knots, she rapidly passed out of sight. The "Tungchow" then returned to Tsisach Point, and waited for the return of the boat which had landed the pirates. This came back at 1750 (the pirates took no hostages), and as soon as the wireless Operator was on board a report of the piracy was sent out. This signal was received by the Commodore at 1825. The Tungchow" then proceeded to Junk Bay, where she arrived at midnight, and subsequently to Kowloon Bay.
H.M. 3. "Dainty" made contact with her at 2020 and escorted her in, placing an armed guard on board inside Lamtong as it was then thought that some pirates might still be onboard.
19. The Tungchow" was boarded on arrival by the Anti- Piracy Officer, police officers and by the firm's representatives. The ship's officers were utterly exhausted with the strain and the responsibility for the lives of the children. I consider the Master, Captain J.G. Smart, deserving of the highest praise for his handling of the situation, particularly after the first air- craft had arrived, when the pirates on board were in a highly dangerous state.
20. The following papers are enclosed: -
1. Report of the Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "DECOY", dated 4th February 1935.
2. Report of the Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "DEFENDER", dated 4th February 1935.
21. In this particular case, the aircraft do not show to advantage; their failure is the more incomprehensible as two of the three officers concerned had transferred to H.M. S. HERMES from H.M.S. BAGLE, and were not new to the Station as was the third. Not only did they themselves fail, but knowledge of their orders to search round Chilang Point and actual sighting of the aircraft inshore led to DEPANDER keeping to seaward instead of searching Hong Hai Bay as she would normally have done.
I am inclined to agree with the Commanding Officer, H.M.S. HERMES, that any offensive action by the aircraft might only have brought about a massacre of the ship's officers and passengers, but the aircraft's failure to report a ship anchored in a notoriously piratical distriot was very unfortunate.
The Officer Commanding, R.A.F.Base, Kai Tak has since called on me, and asked for my orders as to the action to be taken in any future case.
22. Nevertheless, the fact that an aircraft which took off at 1345 did in fact discover the Tungohow" at 1416 is, in my opinion, a very strong recommendation for the establishment of an air patrol as a counter to piracy.