CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 58

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sted at of

proceed independently and yet be safe means a large number of armed

guards on each ship.

at the time no convoying launches were available and it was

found quite impracticable to get the necessary Naval Officers und

ratings to man any large number of launanes. I therefore

suggested that the cheapest and safest method to adopt was to

ma; e the Canton und Longman River Steamers Bail in convoy, &

large and efficient armed guard being placed in one steamer in

each convoy. These were to be armed with machine guns and be

available not only to protect their own vessel but also to go to

the help of any vessel belonging to the convoy if attacked.

This

system was adopted and ontinues to the present time. It has

certainly been effective in reventing ptratioal attacks but it

hus also aroused a good deal of discontent amongst ships'

officers and owners who do not like the guards or the delay

o used to the better found ships.

(4)

Grilles. The original system of grilles was greatly extended.

Here ag in whilst undoubtedly very valuable against internal

piracy the extended use of grilles is inconvenient from many of

the officere and omiers point of view. Also it has the serious

defoot that in oase of a collision any hitan in opening the

necessary grilles may result in enormous loss of life, although

the obvious retort to thet argument is that unless a river

at eumer can be beached at once or outside assistance is at hand,

the loss of life is bound to be great in any case. Still the mere fact that the passengers would feel that they were cooped up like rats would precipitate a panic and ninder the ship's ataff.

(e) Police inspection and sourones. Is undoubtedly most

valuable and should be continued, Frastically all attempted piracies have been on outward bound ships from Hongkong and striot searching at that end is a necessity. The Customs at Kongwan are also very efficient in supervising their end.

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