CO129-508-4 Cases of attacks by pirates 6-11-1927 - 23-11-1928 — Page 260

Sir,

H.M.S."TARAN TULA "

at Canton.

259

23rd December 1927.

I have the honour to report that in accordance with

your order I proceeded with armed guard on board Steam Launch

"YUET TUNG", with lighter in tow, and sailed at 0630, 22nd

December 1927.

2.

Bel cher Tide scale was passed at 0915, and at that time nothing was Parsfreektyae reached about an hour later and a grey

the southward. Second launch was observed

to be stopped a short distance up the creek. I proceeded slowly

but the launch made no attempt to interfere. When about one mile

to the south of Amherst Point, I observed the launch to leave the

creek and close a China Merchant Company's steamer. I at once

ordered the lighter to anchor and turned up river in the "YUET

"TUNG". The launch apparently had no success with the China

Merchant Steamer as she was seen to sheer off and close a junk

which was in tow about three quarters of a mile to the northward

of Malcolm Point (Second Bar Creek). The launch towing the junk

slipped the junk and escaped to the northward. When I had closed

the junk to within about 1,000 yards the other launch sheared off,

steering towards Pottinger Island in a north-earterly direction.

I closed it full speed and hailed the junk, who reported that

the launch was a pirate. I then opened fire in an endeavour to

stop the launch.

3. The latch entered a small creek about a mile northward

of Malcolm Point and I contimed to close firing at her. On

reaching the creek it was found too small to permit of my

following up the launch which was observed to be wending her way

up the creek obviously grounding at intervals and eventually

came to a stand still about one mile off as the crow flies. While

proceeding up the creek about five men were observed to desert

These were fired on, but it was not pœ sible to

the launch.

see whether any casualties accurred.

4...

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