Date.
24.
District.
Time.
Emergency Unit 19.00 Hong Kong.
28
13.12.41
43
Called out on report that looters were breaking into an Ironmongers shop in Queen Victoria Street. No looters were found but the shop was deserted so the stock was removed to Central Police Station. Night. Indians were observed to be unsettled and moody so
Europeans had to act as Station Guards.
25.
Shaukiwan.
26.
Gough Hill.
21.00
27.
Gough Hill.
21.30
28.
Western.
29.
Green Island.
22.00
Complaints were received from the Military of unshaded lights showing on Mount Kellett Road. The house ser- vants responsible were arrested.
A fire at No.10 The Peak was reported by Military Police turned out. It was caused by demolition of the premises previously hit by our own guns which had caused casualties including one fatality.
Nos.19 and 20 Godowns in Connaught Road West were set alight by incendiary shells. In spite of Fire Bri- gade and Police efforts and fire breaks being made by Military the fire spread to other godowns and lasted several days. Police action had to be taken on this and succeeding days to prevent looting which immediate- ly began and continued spasmodically up to the 25th. though it was never allowed to assume very serious proportions., Police evacuated from Belchers Street Dispersal Road to the Tai Ping Theatre due to the Military carrying out demolition work in Belchers Street to prevent further spread of fire.
22.00 The S.L. "Jeannette" which had arrived earlier in the
evening left at 22.00 hours with 312 cases of dynamite, fuses and detonators on board. The original time fixed for the launch's departure was 23.59 hours out this was later altered.
30.
Water Police. 22.58
31.
Police H. Q.
23.00
to
02.00
The S. L. "Jeannette" blew up off the Vehicular Ferry Wharf when transporting dynamite from Green Island to Blake Pier with a big loss of life including Acting Sub Inspector Hudson, L. S. A. 191 Donahue, I. P. C. B. 607 Santa Singh and I.P.C.B.727 Waryan Singh, and a number of European Harbour Office officers. All the party were volunteers for the dangerous enterprise. The launch was originally due to leave Green Island at 23.59 hours and arrive at Blake Pier at 01.00, but the time of leaving was put forward by two hours, viz 22.00 hours, because loading had been completed by 21.00 hours earlier than it was expected, and it was considered dangerous for the launch to remain at Green Island with the explosives on board for a further three hours. As a result of hearing a loud explosion (caused by the S. L. "Jeannette" blowing up, but then unknown) the General Alarm was sounded on Commissioner of Police 's instructions and all posts manned. Many reports of Fifth Columnist activities were received and patrols sent out. Senior Superintendent of Police, Defence, took a party down to the Central Fire Station on report that it was being attacked. Mr. Calthrop, Senior Superintendent of Police, went with a similar party to China Building on report that Mr. North, Secretary for Chinese Affairs, and Sir R. H. Kotewall, were being held prisoners there by a threatening gang. A further report was received that there was a disturbance at the Golden City Restaurant. All these alleged incidents were found to be without foundation. Police stood to until 02.00 hours.
13.12.41.
1.
Central.
02.00 L. S. A. 450 Savitsky of the Police Reserve slightly
wounded by a splinter from the S. L. "Jeannette" ex- plosion was sent to hospital.