CO129-508-4 Cases of attacks by pirates 6-11-1927 - 23-11-1928 — Page 86

of-kin with the intention of making thom some grant as a

mark of our recognition of his conduct.

The ship's compradore estimates that the pirates got away with about $60,000 from the passengers, as well ce taxing 7 of them ashore, presumably for ransom. The ship's

officers and engineers had their gear very much thrown about,

but details of what was stolen have not yet been received,

The ship, fortunately, was undamaged.

As you know, we have had for some time a system on

the Singapore Line whereby Captains send in code wireless

messages (vin shore stations etc.) giving their position when

in ortain zones, the idea being that the non-receipt of any

message indicates that something is anise, but this present

piracy has proved that the aches au it stands, is of very

little value. Two Buch meagates were received from the

"Anking", the second despatched on the 26th September

noon not reaching ua until the following morning after the

piracy had occurred, and when the third message did not

arrive to time, no undue anxiety as oooaaioned, as such delay

was not exceptional, these safety mesanges not always

reaching us regularly and punctually, especially in bad

weather which looal typhoon signals indicated. The wirel088

operator reports that the pirates asked him whether any

wireless communication was maintained with Hongkong and

on being told of the safety messages, after some talk, very

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nearly decide to arrange with the Captain to continue

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sending these, going so far as to allow the operator to

start repairs to the apparatus, but subsequently they changed

their minds. In any case, the wireless messages could not

prevent piracy, and the last thing all on bourd wanted to

noe was a warship, in view of the threats tno piratea had

made, which all are convinced would have been carried out, as will

be seen in the instructiona given by Captain Cole, stated in his

report.

The/