CO129-508-4 Cases of attacks by pirates 6-11-1927 - 23-11-1928 — Page 89

Messrs. Butterfield & Swire,

Hongkong.

Dear Sirs,

Hongkong, 1st October, 1928.

89

PIRACY OF G/S. "ANKING".

I have to report that we left the anchorage at Singapore

All precautions had

at 11 a.m. on the 23rd of September and proceeded alongside the wharf at Tanjong Pagar to embark our ecolies - total number 1444. This was complated about 4 p.m. but we did not get away until 5.30 p.m. owing to the death of one coolie.

been duly taken, to find out if there were any bad characters on board and the Compradore was of the opinion there were none. After receiving our olearance papers from the Harbour Officials we proceeded to sea, taking the usual course via Padaran, going up the coast towards Kulao Rai light, bearing W. about 15 miles.

At 6.40 p.m. on the 26th September the Chief Officer - Vr. D.C. Jones and myself, were on the bridge trying to pick up the Kulae Rai light, a heavy rain squall just passing over at the time.

Suddenly, two Chinese men rushed on to the bridge, armed with revolvers and fired at the C/O and myself. We closed with

them and then several other men rushed up, also armed, and shot both of us down. The quartermster, as soon as the firing con- menced, came to our assistance, but unfortunately he was shot down immediately and killed. He leaves a widow and three children at

Swatow.

7

Then I was lying on the bridge wounded, one of the pirates held a revolver (then empty) to my head for about 5 minutes, click- ing it all the time. They then dragged me to the top of the

no

ladder and threw me down. After being thrown down the ladder I

was half dragged, half walked along the boat deck to the end,

helped/