PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TLTIC.O.
882
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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13. On Wednesday, 24th ultimo, I took the boats of the "Midge" to examine the large fishing village of Korrow, but I could gain no information respecting the row-boats. I was equally unsuccessful at the village of Sie Lee Sing.
14. I returned to Penang in the "Midge" on the 25th ultimo, having sent the "Thalia" to that port the day previous in charge of Lieutenant Lewin, as it was probable the services of the marines might be required in the town.
15. After communicating with the Lieutenant-Governor of Penang, the prisoners, five in all, one having been taken from the second stockade, and the remainder from junks off the River Laroot, were handed over to the civil authorities, and the small steamer, junks, and row-boat to the Montrie, who claimed them.
16. On Saturday, the 27th, I received information that five large row-boats, each manned by from twenty to thirty men, had again commenced piracies upon the Chinese traders, and that the informer declared his ability to take me to the place in which they generally lay hidden during the day.
17. With a hope of capturing these boats, I accordingly left in company with the "Midge" at daylight on Monday, 29th ultimo, taking with me a small steamer, which Mr. William Jonesa, Chief Engineer of this ship, thought he could place in working order on the passage down. The "Thalia" anchored at about twelve miles from the land soon after 2 P.M., when the "Midge" took the boats in, manned and armed, as far as was prudent, about six miles from the Sie Ling Sing village, the boats then proceeding in command of the officers named on Inclosure No. 4. Hearing firing in shore, the boats pushed on, and a row-boat being observed pulling to the southward along the land, she was chased by my galley and the "Midge's" cutter, but just as we had got within range a strong Sumatra, with the heaviest rain, came on, in which she was lost sight of. In the meantime Commander Grant blockaded the river on which the Sie Ling Sing village is situated, and at daylight five row-boats were scen. I rejoined him at 8 A M. after a very long pull. The boats, with the little steamer (which proved useless from want of power), advanced off the river, and soon after 11 A.M. three of the five large row-boats were seen coming round a point about 14 miles distant. On seeing us they turned and fled; a most exciting chase took place, but we had soon the disappointment to find that they had the heels of us, and they escaped up the numerous creeks. Soon after noon, many of the men, and some of the officers, showing signs of sunstroke and over exertion, the chase was abandoned, and the boats advanced slowly through a very tortuous river, eventually reaching the sea at 5 P.M., by the mouth of the Klunpong River, about three miles to the north- ward of our first entrance. The men having now been incessantly at work, with only such rest as could be taken in torrents of rain, and several being sick, I returned to the " Midge" and rejoined the "Thalia."
18. Had I had the services of a good steam-launch or pinnace, I feel sure that I should not have to regret having been unsuccessful in capturing the piratical row-boats. The men showed great determination in pulling for hours, either under a burning sun or in heavy rain.
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19. I reached this port at 5.30 P.M. on the 1st instant, having despatched Her Majesty's ship "Midge to Singapore for coals and provisions, giving directions to Commander Grant to send the "Avon" to join me.
20. I shall endeavour to engage a steam-launch here, if I can obtain one of sufficient speed for my purpose, for which the Colonial Government will be glad to pay all
expenses.
21. I am happy to report that the wounded officers are doing well; the seaman's case is, I fear, hopeless.
22. My thanks are due to Doctor Rathborne, of this ship, and to Mr. Simms, surgeon of the "Midge," for their exertions and care of the wounded, also to Mr. Frank Swetten- ham, Civil Service, who accompanied me in the boats as Interpreter.
23. Sub-Lieutenants W. R. Creswell and Abraham Lindesay, with two seamen, have been invalided for the preservation of life. I shall send them to England in a steamer which will pass direct through the Canal.
24. The "Avon" put into Manilla on September 5 for coal, which, on account of bad weather, was not supplied till September 14. She was to leave the following day for Labuan.
25. The "Anglo-Saxon," with coal from Australia, has arrived at Singapore.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
H. B. WOOLLCOMBE, Captain and Senior Officer, Malacca Straits. Vice-Admiral Sir Charles F. A. Shadwell, K.C.B.,
Commander-in-chief, China Station.
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Captain Speedy, late Superintendent of Police in Penang, arrived here a few days since from India; be has left for Laroot, having brought with him 110 Seike for service under the Orang Kaya Mantri. It is rumoured that 280 more are daily expected.
H. B. W.
Inclosure 3 in No. 61.
RETURN showing the Officers and Boats engaged in the Attack upon the Stockades and Junks in the Laroot River, on the 20th September, 1873.
Boat,
"Thalia's" bosta-
Galley
•
Pinnace 2nd barge..
1st cutter ..
2nd barge
Officer Employed.
Henry Bedford Woollcombe
Arthur Stuart Woodley William Henry Lewin
Frederick Abel Moysey ..
William Towers Thompson
Hon. Frederick Canning Lascelles
Philip Ernest Creswell Alexander Ellis..
Thomas Willoughby Hall.. Perey Clinton Baitt Charles Atkinson Rathborne
John Frederick George Grant Somerset Augustus Hungerford (lent from
"Thalia")
Ghig
"Midge's" boats-
Gig
Cutter
(Signed)
..
"Thalia,” at Penang, October 3, 1873.
··
Rank.
Captain.
Navigating Midshipman. Benior Lieutenant. Lieutenant.
Navigating Sub-Lieutenant. Lieutenant.
Sub-Lieutenant. Gunner, 2nd class. Asistant Paymaster. Midshipman.
Surgeon.
Commander.
Sub-Lieutenant.
H. B. WOOLLCOMBE, Captain.
Inclosure 4 in No. 61.
Nakodah Kullam, Representative of the Rajah Tusof, to Captain Woollcombe. (Translation.)
28th Rajab, 1290 (September 20, 1873). WE have received authority from the Sultan of Perak and Rajah Tusof, ordering us to come to Laroot, in order to settle the disturbances between the Chinese factions of the Thi Hins and the Hai Sans. On the 22nd of the month Rajab (s.e., 14th September) we examined all the head men on the Thi Hin side, and the Thi Hins said that they were willing to obey the orders of the Rajah Muda, i.e., Rajah Tusof, the representative of the Sultan, ..., Rajah Abdullah, and they have invested him with power to frame laws in accordance with the customs practised in the country of Perak. We have not yet examined the Hai Sans factions. Before we could do this the man-of-war arrived, and we have not been able to examine the Hai Sans; and, moreover, should any charge be brought against you, you should go to Penang, and talk it over with the head man there, and seek to bring it to a favourable issue, in order that the country (probably Laroot) may not be ruined.
All the subjects of the British Government can give you further particulars on this
matter.
(Translation.)
Inclosure & in No. 61.
Captains Woollcombe and Grant to Rajah Tusof.
29th Rajab, 1290 (September 19, 1873). From Captain Woollcombe and Captain Grant, who govern* the three countries, to Rajah Tusof.
I
WE inform Rajah Tusof that we have come to drive out the badt men who are in Laroot. Rajah Tusof must send to us these badt men by 3 o'clock to-day, Sunday. If
X
+ Pirates.
* This is an error, the words dictated were " the Naval Officers in the Straits of Maleoen.
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