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EXTRACTS FROM A REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMODORE, HONG KONG –
FEBRUARY 1935.
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5. The Chinese (Yueh Hai Squadron) cruisers "Hai Chi" and "Hai Shen", the former flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Y.C. Kiang, R. C. N., came to Hongkong for refit between the 18th and 26th February. The usual salutes and courtesies were exchanged
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Their Excellencies the Governor and the General Officer Commanding, the Senior Naval Officer, Hongkong (Captain Manners, Royal Navy, H.M.S. "Suffolk"), myself and all Captains and Commanders in command of H. M. Ships at Hongkong lunched with Rear-Admiral Kiang on board the "Hai Chi" on the 26th February. The lunch was very well arranged on the quarterdeck, the after part of which was rigged as a stage. During lunch the officers and ship's company put up a very creditable Chinese theatrical performance, including sword-dancing, accompanied by a Chinese orchestra.
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ANTI-PIRACY
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12. Seven patrols have been carried out during February, all by destroyers.
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One Chinese gunboat was sighted during the month the
"Wu Fung", stationed at Autau.
14. W/T Communication. Each patrol vessel have established communication with Autau, Ping Hoi, the Duty Police Launch and with the Wu Fung", although slight difficulty has been experienced with the latter.
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Southern Communication Scheme has been carried out very well with the exception of the "Muinam" (see below) and the Blue Funnel s.s. "Diomed" who failed with three consecutive reports. No anxiety was felt, as the "Diomed" carries no Chinese passengers and has a British crew.
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16. Northern Communication Scheme. Only three minor failures have been noted.
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The China Navigation Company and Indo-China Steam Navigation Company have instituted an inter-communication scheme covering the sailings of both lines north of Shanghai,
18. The s.s. "Muinam" (China Navigation Company) left Hongkong for Singapore at 1500 on the 2nd February, with orders to report at 2200 and at 0400 and 0945 on the 3rd February. Shortly after 1800, a report was received from the Master of the s.s. "Seistan" (Douglas Steamship Company) that he had seen a steamer standing into Mirs Bay - "looks suspicious". At this time H.M.S. "Defender" was on patrol, and H.M.S. "Decoy (having landed the Chinese soldiers who were chasing the "Tungchow" pirates) was proceeding southwards along the coast to Hongkong. H.M.S. "Dainty" was next for patrol, commencing at 0900 the following day, 3rd February. On receiving the "Seistan's" report, I at once ordered "Decoy" to search Mirs Bay and informed the Hongkong Water Police and Colonel Chen at Autau. "Decoy" arrived in Mirs Bay and anchored in Pengchau Roads at 2010, having sighted no ships on passage. Visibility had become very bad, and the Ha Shen beaches had to be searched by an armed motor boat. dawn "Decoy" was able to search the Bay thoroughly, found
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