PIRACY OF THE S.S "HONG HWA"
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13th Jan. 1925. The S.S HONG HWA which left singapore on January 7th, 1925, for Hong Kong, with 357 passengers and a general cargo, was held up in Lat. 14.53 N., Long. 110.24 E., by 34 armed pirates who travelled as passengers. The Captain was ordered to steer a course for Breaker Point, and to keep the ship 80 miles outside af Hong Kong.
At noon on the 15th January, the pirate leader ordered
When this the course to be changed for Chilang Point Light. point was sighted at 11.45 p.m the ship was darkened, and the Mendoza Island was Captain was ordered to steer to Ping Hoi. reached at 4.0 a.m on the 16th.
At this stage, a man who appeared to be acting as pilot for the pirates took charge of the ship. The Captain was forced, however, to remain on the bridge. He steered for outside Single Island, apparently in error, thinking it was Bate Island at the entrance of Bias Bay. The ship reached Blas Bay at 5.0 a.m and was headed for Kirs Bay. Dawn was breaking and the pilot appeared to realise that he had made a mistake, and ran down from the bridge and returned with about 20 pirates who seemed to be in a great panic. Ship was now abreast Sha Mun, about one mile off. The Quartermaster at the wheel told the pirates that the Captain knew how to get the ship clear, and the Captain was ordered to take charge. The pirates then went down below except one who remained at the Captain's side. He said "Suppose you not take ship through, I kill you and I kill myself". Ship cleared Sha Mun and was headed into Mirs Bay.
A small launch steamed towards the ship from Sha Mun.
By this time the pirates were in a state of panic, and 7 or 8 of them rushed back to the bridge, among them being the leader, who said "Suppose launch come, I put Captain, officers and Engineers in boat and set fire to ship. I have put kerosene in all the holds". The launch did not come alongside.
Tsang Chau Island was reached at 8.0 a.m when the Captain
This was was ordered to stop the ship and lower two boats. done, and the Captain was directed to send the Second Officer in one of the boats with the sailors.
The leader bid the Captain good-bye, and said "I'll see you in Hong Kong". The gangway was lowered down and the pirates got into the boats, taking with them a varied assortment of boxes, bundles, bags, etc., and as they cast off from the ship they all waved their hats.
The pirates were armed with automatic pistols, revolvers, daggers,
and choppers, added to which were two revolvers and two colt automatics and 738 rounds of ammunition which were stolen from the ship.
The point where the ship stopped is about two miles from the point, which distance they were rowed by the ship's
When they landed they sent the boats back but remained on the beach until the boats returned to the ship. The ship returned to Hong Kong.
cren.
No persons were injured as the result of the piracy. During the whole of the time the pirates had charge, the Captain and officers were treated well. Regular watches were kep t.
It was impossible to offer resistance owing to the completeness of the pirates' plans and the suddenness of the attack. The Wireless gear was dismantled immediately the attack commenced.
the Chief Pirate told the Captain that they had expected to find bullion on board, and that they had waited five weeks for this ship. He further said, his gang had pirated seven other ships.
The losses incurred by the Ship's Officers amounted to $319.
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