CO129-508-4 Cases of attacks by pirates 6-11-1927 - 23-11-1928 — Page 173

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Sir,

172

H.M.S. CORNFLOWER" at HONG KONG,

28th May, 1928.

I have the honour to submit the following

report on the piracy of the S.S. "TEAN"

S.S. "TEAN", owners Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, Captain E.H. Histed. On run Haifong, Pakhoi, Hoihow, and Hong Kong.

At 0200, 27th May 1928, S.S. "TEAN" was anchored at Pakhoi, having completed with freight, Clearance papers from Customs were received at 0230.

At 0415 the Captain, who was asleep in his cabin, was awakened by the sound of firing, Before he had time to turn out, the door of his cabin was burst open, and a man who turned out to be the No.1 pirate and three others (one of whom was armed) demanded the ship's armament. The Captain was forced to show them the steel chest where the ship's arms were stowed outside his cabin. The Captain and other officers of the ship were supplied by their Company with revolvers but they were stowed away and they could not obtain them. The pirates then moved to the Chief Officers' cabin. The Chief Officer was also asleep and they captured him. The Wireless Office was manned but the operator did not have time to put on power before he was overcome. The Captain was then ordered to weigh and at 0445 he was ordered to shape course for Swatow. During this period a Chinese Cruiser was anchored one cable away from "TEAN".

THE COMMANDING OFFICER,

H.M.S. CORNFLOWER"

The