D 19
and two armed Portuguese guards were entrenched behind iron and barbed wire grilles and loopholed bullet-proof shields, who were able to repel the attack after shooting several of their assailants, with the loss on their side of one—the chief engineer—slightly wounded. The pirates then retreated below, and endeavoured to persuade some of the peaceful passengers to go up and call upon the master to surrender, and, upon their refusal to do so, shot them. They then deliberately set the ship on fire in two or three places. This was about 11 o'clock. In the meanwhile the officers, in the intervals of fighting, fired distress signals—rockets, bombs and coloured lights, which were seen and answered by the British steamers Shun Lee, Shiu On and Hoi Sang which were on their way down the river, bound for Hongkong, and by the Chinese Steamship Wo Kwai bound for Kongmun. These four ships rendered all assistance in their power, and succeeded in rescuing some 165 persons by means of their boats. The flames spread rapidly, and the ship was shortly ablaze from stem to stern, the passengers, including pirates and crew jumping overboard—many, however, appear to have been unable to escape, and were burnt. The anchor was let go to bring the ship head to wind, but the officers soon found the bows untenable and had to jump also, the master being the last to leave the ship. They were picked up, with the exception of the mate, Mr. F. C. Evans, who was unable to secure a lifebelt, the fire having reached his cabin when he went to get one. The ship was completely gutted, but was subsequently towed back to Hongkong, when the charred remains of 17 bodies were found on board, besides evidences of many more, almost totally consumed by the flames. We find that no blame attaches to any of the certificated officers, who took all possible steps to secure the safety of the ship, and conducted the defence of the bridge most gallantly. The means adopted for the protection of the bridge appear to have been most efficient. We are of opinion that the conduct of the master of the British Steamship Lintan in failing to stand by the Tai On or to render her any assistance, requires further enquiry, as does that of the master of the On Lee who similarly failed. We also wish to point out the irregularity and very probable source of danger of the practice which seems to be universal on board vessels on this run of carrying an unlimited number of passengers runners, cargo brokers and live stock attendants, who pay no fare, and are commonly supposed to form an intelligence department for the pirates.
(4) On the 17th of October, 1914, enquiry was held into the charge of misconduct against J. W. Scott, certificate of competency as master was Number 037069 of Liverpool, 2nd mate of the British Steamship Anhui, Official Number 118340 of London.
The Court found that on the 7th October, 1914, when the British Steamship Anhui, Official Number 118340 of London, was lying alongside her wharf at Shanghai, James William Scott, the number of his certificate of competency as master was Number 037609, Liverpool, 2nd mate of the said ship was under the influence of liquor on board when he should have been on duty. That on the following day, the 8th October, Mr. Scott, having charge of the deck at 6.10 p.m. being under the influence of drink, altered