CO129-508-4 Cases of attacks by pirates 6-11-1927 - 23-11-1928 — Page 118

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SCENE ON THE ILL-FATED SHIP.

The Anking, when boarded by our representative, on Saturday afternoon, immediately after she had tied up to a buoy in mid- stream, presented a picture of mingled_tranquillity and excite- ment. In the steerage quarters | were nearly 1,500 persons many clinging to each other and showing every sign of distress. They have been robbed of their belongings, and the effect of their ordeal was clearly written on many faces. The crew, however, had "shaken down" and went about their work as usual. Hungry children were cry- ing for something to eat and it was stated that during the 54 hours which the pirates had control of the ship, passengers were left to fend for themselves in the way of food. Some of them had been liv ing on water for two days.

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On the top deck where the quar- ters of the European officers are situated there was little to indicate that a grim tragedy had taken place. The deck was specklessly clean and everything was peace- ful. The officers when not engaged in their duties courteously gave every help in their power to the Pressmen who had come on board.

Capt. Plunkett-Cole was quite cheerful when he was taken out of the saloon to the deck on a stretcher. Mrs. Plunkett-Cole, who lives in Hong Kong, went on board as soon as the vessel was anchored. She saw her husband being removed to hospital and bore up with re- markable fortitude. He was taken to the Peak Hospital where he is going on as well as possible, but yesterday it was thought advisable that he should have a complete rest and see no visitors.

Wanton Destruction. The compradore's cabin showed wanton destruction by the robbers. A flat top writing desk had been smashed to splinters and the safe broken, and no less than $4,300 in cash had been taken. Electric fans, life-belt brackets and everything hanging from the ceiling or against the wooden partition had been torn down in an attempt to find the key of the safe.

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Singapore with 1,431 passengers for Hoihow, Swatow, Amoy and Hong Kong.

The officers on board were: Captain C. E. Plunkett-Cole; Mr. D. C. Jones, Chief Officer (killed);

Mr. J. W. Officer;

Mr. A. I. Officer;

Bennett, Second

Campbell, Third

Mr. H. Thomson, Chief Engineer (killed);

Mr. A. W. Norris, Second En- gineer;

Mr. E. C. O. Bird, Third En- gineer;

Mr. T. Curry, Junior Third. The vessel also carries a doctor, Dr. L. K. Woo.

Nothing unusual happened until 6.40 p.m. on Wednesday, Septem- ber 26th, when the vessel was in the Gulf of Tongking.

It was then that the attack was made.

Some of the officers had had din- ner and others were tidying them- selves up before having their meal. On the bridge were Captain Cyril E. Punkett-Cole, the Chief Officer, Mr. D. C. Jones, and two Chinese quartermasters.

The bandits, all well armed, rushed the promenade deck and up the unguarded ladder to the bridge. Shot At Sight.

The four men on the bridge were caught by surprise and before they could offer resistance, the attackers fired a volley at point-blank range. Captain Plunkett-Cole was shot twice, one bullet passing clean through his left thigh and the other lodging in his right thigh.

Several shots were fired at Mr. Jones and he was hit in the chest and the head. The Chinese quar- termaster was also shot dead on the spot.

The pirates on their way to the bridge, murdered Mr. H. Thomson, Chief Engineer, who was sitting in a chair on the promenade deck.

Mr. Bennett To The Rescue. Mr. J. W. Bennett, the second officer, had seen one shot fired at Mr. Thomson, who grappled with the pirates and put up a brave The passengers' luggage was struggle until he fell with a bullet forcibly opened and in their search through his head. Mr. Bennett for valuables, the pirates had mix-could only get hold of a club and ed everything in great heaps so that many passengers were at each other throats disputing over their respective belongings.

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STORY OF the ship'S CAPTURE.

"ALL WELL UNTIL

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The s.s. Anking left Hong Kong September 10th, for Amoy, Swatow and Singapore. On Sep- tember 23rd (Sunday), she left

bravely went to the rescue of his comrade. He wielded the club to good effect but he could do little against a gang of desperate men armed with fire-arms.

Mr. Bennett then made for the ladder heading to the bridge, but he was forestalled by one member of the gang, who tore open his shirt and pressed a revolver against his ribs. Other bandits closed in and seizing Mr. Bennett they drag- ged him into a cabin and locked him in.

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