on the bridge. The launch was proceeding towards Hong Kong from She Wan where she had called contrary to her permit, when armed pirates, alleged to have been 5 in number, attacked the guards, seriously injuring one who later succumioned to his injuries. The remaining two guards, one of whom was wounded, were either thrown or jumped overboard and the launch was in the possession of the pirates, who proceeded to rob the passengers. However before they had completed their work, No. 2 Police launch hove in sight and, seeing the S. L. “Sai Kung" out of her course, steamed towards her. The pirates thereupon ordered the coxswain to head the launch for a fishing boat, which was sailing off the shore. They boarded the fishing boat and managed to escape ashore. However 3 of the 5 were arrested later on at Tap Mun New Territory by the crew of No. 4 Police Launch and committed for trial. Two were convicted and duly hanged and one was acquitted.
8. Piracy: S. S. "Sunning":-The most notable piracy of the year was, however, the pirating of the s.s. "Sunning' On the 15th November at 8.40 p.m. the S. S. "Sunning" of the China Navigation Co. Ltd. (Messrs. Butterfield & Swire) was captured by pirates while on a voyage from Amoy to Hong Kong with passengers and cargo. This piracy is almost unique in the history of piracies on the China Coast by reason of the fact that although the piracy which was organized from within was completely successful to begin with, yet it ended in complete failure. This was due to the courage and resource of her Officers, chief among whom were the Chief and 2nd Officers, who in spite of what appeared to be insuperable obstacles, succeeded in re-capturing the bridge from the pirates at about mid-night on the same date. The pirates in turn set fire to the ship and then left in two ship's boats, one of which was later captured by H. M. S. "Bluebell" which, seeing the fire, came to the "Sunning's" assistance about day break.
assistance about day break. The other boat was never seen again and it is presumed was lost with all its occupants. One European and a number of Chinese passengers and crew were lost and 22 suspects were brought to Hong Kong for trial, of whom 8 were convicted of piracy. Of these 6 were hanged and two await execution. The full story of the piracy and the re-capture of the steamer, which is told in the report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the circumstances of the piracy, shows what pluck and daring can accomplish and should prove a wholesome lesson to the pirate gangs who infest the coast and inland waters of South China. There is little doubt that practically the whole gang were accounted for and the ship, which was burnt out amidships above the main deck only, is once more on her usual run.
9. Attempted Robbery & Kidnapping at Kwai Chung N.T.:One of the most successful efforts of the Police against armed robbers in recent years occurred at Kwai Chung in the New Territories on the night of December 2nd. Police received information that a gang of robbers intended to attack a dis-
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on the bridge. The launch was proceeding towards Hong Kong from She Wan where she had called contrary to her permit, when armed pirates, alleged to have been 5 in number, attacked the guards, seriously injuring one who later succumbed to his injuries. The remaining two guards, one of whom was wounded, were either thrown or jumped overboard and the launch was in the possession of the pirates, who proceeded to rob the passengers. However before they had completed their work, No. 2 Police launch hove in sight and, seeing the S. L. “Sai Kung" out of her course, steamed towards her. The pirates thereupon ordered the coxswain to head the launch for a fishing boat, which was sailing off the shore. They boarded the fishing boat and managed to escape ashore. However 3 of the 5 were arrested later on at Tap Mun New Territory by the crew of No. 4 Police Launch and committed for trial. Two were convicted and duly hanged and one was acquitted.
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8. Piracy: S. S. "Sunning":-The most notable piracy of the year was, however, the pirating of the s.s. "Sunning' On the 15th November at 8.40 p.m. the S. S. "Sunning" of the China Navigation Co. Ltd. (Messrs. Butterfield & Swire) was captured by pirates while on a voyage from Amoy to Hong Kong with passengers and cargo. This piracy is almost unique in the history of piracies on the China Coast by reason of the fact that although the piracy which was organized from within was completely successful to begin with, yet it ended in complete failure. This was due to the courage and resource of her Officers, chief among whom were the Chief and 2nd Officers, who in spite of what appeared to be insuperable obstacles, succeeded in re-capturing the bridge from the pirates at about mid-night on the same date. The pirates in turn set fire to the ship and then left in two ship's boats, one of which was later captured by H. M. S. "Bluebell" which, seeing the fire, came to the "Sunning's" assistance about day break.
assistance about day break. The other boat was never seen again and it is presumed was lost with all its oc- cupants. One European and a number of Chinese passengers and crew were lost and 22 suspects were brought to Hong Kong for trial, of whom 8 were convicted of piracy. Of these 6 were hanged and two await execution. The full story of the piracy and the re-capture of the steamer, which is told in the report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the circumstances of the piracy, shows what pluck and daring can accomplish and should prove a wholesome lesson to the pirate gangs who infest the coast and inland waters of South China. There is little doubt that practically the whole gang were accounted for and the ship, which was burnt out amidships above the main deck only, is once more on her usual run.
9. Attempted Robbery & Kidnapping at Kwai Chung N.T.:One of the most successful efforts of the Police against armed robbers in recent years occurred at Kwai Chung in the New Territories on the night of December 2nd. Police received information that a gang of robbers intended to attack a dis-
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