COPY.
217
CHENG CHING PO alias CHENG KWAN, 59 years, owner of Steam
Launch SAI KUNG, further states:-
When I first saw the Japanese trawler in company
with Steam Launch KWONG HING and junk at about 16.00 hours
on 21.1.40, I am sure the three craft were all together, they
were about 3 miles to the South of me.
The KWONG HING was about 300 yards to the East of
FAN TSANG CHAU (Conic Island), the junk was in tow astern of
KWONG HING, at this time the trawler was about 30 feet or
40 feet, East of the KWONG HING. I saw a small sampan rowing
between the KWONG HING and the trawler, I cannot remember
which way the sampan was going.
It is possible that the trawler stopped the KWONG
HING before I saw the vessels.
I stood on my course and when I passed Conic Island
and the mainland at about 16.30 hours the three craft were
still stationary and were still approximately 300 yards to
the East of Conic Island, I did not notice at this time
whether KWONG HING was flying a flag or not.
I am
absolutely certain the three craft were approximately 300
yards from CONIC Island.
I was confused when I said in my first statement
that this distance was 300 feet.
Just before my launch passed through SAU SZE MUN
at about 16.45 hours I saw the three craft steaming in line
ahead towards SAM MUN.
They were then approximately 11⁄2 miles to the East
of Conic Island.
At about 12.30 hours on 21.1.40 when I passed the
Steam Launch KWONG HING near PENG CHAU she was too far away
to see if she showed any flag or not.
On many occasions during the past two years I have seen the KWONG HING in Hong Kong. I have always noticeɖ she
carries a Union Jack painted on each side of her bridge and