CONFIDENTIAL
Translation
Report on investigations into the case of
the sinking of Fishing Vessels.
55
While, on the 22nd September, a Japanese patrol
vessel was engaged in keeping watch at a point 22 degrees
13 minutes north latitude and 116 degrees 4 minutes east
longitude, she sighted at 7.24 a.m. two large sea-going
junks at about 15,000 metres to the north-east.
Thile she
was approaching the junks for the purpose of inspection on a
north-eaterly course and at level speed, at 7.30 a.m., she
sighted four more junks of similar type sailing in a south-
westerly direction at a point about 1,500 metres to the
north-weet of the original junks. She accordingly changed
her course to north-north-east and sailed ahead of the group
of junks. At the same time, the Commander of the patrol
vessel gave orders for the preparation of an inspection boat
and gave the necessary instructions to an inspection crew.
At the time, the weather was fine, wind north-east, force
8 metres, sea inclined to be rough, and, in these weather
conditions, the navigation of the patrol vessel's small boat
was a matter of considerable difficulty. She accordingly
proceeded until her bows had passed the leading junk at a
distance of 2,000 metres and changed her course to the east
at 7.55 a.m. in order to facilitate the lowering of a boat
on the lee-side. She approached the junks reducing her
speed by half. At 8 a.m. she was sailing at slow speed.
At 8.03 a.. when the distance from the junke was 500 metres,
she was suddenly fired on by the junks with rifles and the
Commander accordingly ordered the crew to stand by for an
engagement. She immediately fired some blank charges as 8
warning but without effect. She then fired live shell18
into