9.2 1
-master)
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, OCTOBER 1st, 1928.
66
THE ANKING" PIRACY.
SINGAPORE GANG SEIZE UNPROTECTED
VESSEL.
THREE MEMBERS OF THE CREW MURDERED.
FULL STORY OF THE CRIME.
An immunity of five months may have lulled seafarers on the China Coast into a false sense of security. This was rudely shattered on Saturday when news was received by wireless that the Butterfield and Swire 8.5. Anking, one of the largest and newest vessels of the C.N.C. fleet, had been pirated by a gang who had boarded the ship at Singapore.
The gang adopted ruthless methods and the Chief Engineer, Mr. H. Thompson, the Chief Officer, Mr. D. C. Jones, and one of the Chinese quartermasters on watch, Cheung Shun Tak, were killed while the Master, Captain C E. Plunkett Cole, was seriously wounded and the Third Officer, Mr. A. I. Campbell, was stabbed and hit on the head. He is not, however, on the sick list and is sailing with the ship this morning.
UNPROTECTED.
The Anking runs between Singapore and Amoy. She does not come under the Anti-Piracy Regulations and is not fitted with grilles. Nor does she carry guards. She is quite unprotected against attack of this kind. for though the promenade deck com- panion ladders, fore and aft, have iron gates the deck can be easily clambered into from below and the whole length of it is open to revolver fire from the boat deek aft. The bridge itself is not protected in any way. A report was current in the Colony yesterday that Capt. Plunkett Cole had asked at Singapore for an armed guard but it had not been possible to provide him with
one.
The pirates, who were about 40 strong, had little difficulty in seizing the ship. Isolated and unarmed the officers had no chance and it was callous disregard for life on the part of the pirates that was responsible for the triple murder. The crime amounted to shooting at sight.
The pirates were in charge of the ship from Wednesday even- ing at about 6.40 p.m. till 2 a.m. on Saturday morning. Their haul is computed at some $100,000 and seven captives were taken off to be held for ransom, at least until bank drafts found of them -one to the value of $10,000 has been cashed.
PIRATES' NEW BASE.
Bias Bay has been effectively cleared up by the Canton Gov- ernment, but an equally good base, landlocked and lonely, has been found in the fine natural of Ionghai Bay, a few miles to the north of Bias Bay.
A new Captain and Chief Officer have been appointed to the Anking and the ship will sail this afternoon for Swatow and Amoy. Her ensign has been flown at half mast since the tragedy.
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 £ picture of ingled tranquillity and excite- Sivut: In the fleerage 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.
passengers
Singapore with 1,431 for Hoihow, Swatow, Amoy and Hong Kong.
The officers on board were:- Captain C. E. Plunkett-Cole
(killed);
Second
Mr. Thomson although mortally wounded, staggered into the saloon and there to the alleyway trying to get to the cabin of Dr. L. K. Woo, the ship's doctor. The sea was rough at the time, and with the roll, Mr. Thomson pitched forward out- side the bathroom. Dr. Woo came out of his cabin with the intention of attending to the wounded man, but he was prevented from doing so by several robbers. He was also taken to the pantry and locked in.
Knocked On The Head. The third officer, Mr. A. I. Campbell, who was sitting on the starboard side of the promenade deck heard the commotion but be fore he could do anything, he was knocked on the head by a missile. He was dazed by the blow, but pluckily ran to the port side of the ship in an attempt to gain the lad- der leading to the bridge. He was, however, stabbed in the back and when he name
to after several hours, he found himself near the dead bodies of Mr. Jones and the Chinese quartermaster.
Pirates Take Control. At this stage the pirates took complete control of the ship. They acted very quickly and systematical- ly. Mr. E. C. O. Bird was then in the engine room. A Chinese fire- man told him that "topside plenty trouble," and on coming up, he was met by a pirate who thrust a revolver against his side.
The weapon was one which had been taken by the pirates from the ship's
armoury.
Mr. Bennett, the 2nd officer, was then released and forced to navi-
gate the ship under the command of the robbers. He was only allow ed a few short respites from the bridge until the pirates left. The engineers, Mr. Norris, Mr. T. Curry and Mr. Bird carried on as usual in the engine room, bu al- ways under guard.
Arms Collected,
The pirates carefully searched the ship's armoury. There were 24 fire-arms on board, but the robbers only found 23, one having been hidden by Mr. Norris,
Orders were then given for the ship to be steered for Swatow. The pirates then changed their attitude, and although they kept the strictest watch over the officers, they were no longer personally hostile.
They even relented to the extent of getting Dr. Woo to attend to Capt. Plunkett-Cole after removing him to the saloon from the bridge. Dr. Woo was taken to the surgery under guard to get his instruments and medicine and returning with these, he did everything that was possible for Capt. Plunkett-Cole, who was then placed on a settee.
The weather was still rough and the Anking preceded on her way with all lights out. The robbers wert so far as to disconnect all the
switches. Only candles and torches
were used.
get to Hong Kong before the drafts could be cashed and stop payment. He decided that the men should ac company them to the pirates lair, where the drafts could be posted to the relatives of the prisoners to cash and the money sent to the robbers.
as ransom.
Mr. Bird Gets $10 Tip.
On Saturday morning at about 1 a.m. the Anking anchored at Ross Head, in the North of Honghai Bay. The pirates then make pre- parations to leave the ship. Four life boats from the Anking's davits were lowered and the crew was made to transfer the loot and the hostages into two of the boats while the gang occupied the other two. Mr. Bird was made to accompany the pirates ashore so as to ensure that the life boats were not fired at from the ship.
After the brigands had left the ship. Mr. Bennett cruised around for an hour while waiting for Mr. Bird's return. He did not think it was safe to remain stationary and thus offer a chance for another
band of pirates to attack them once
more.
Towards daylight Mr. Bird re- turned with the boats and the boat- swain. He was given $10" tip" by the pirate chief and the Chinese hoatswain received the same.
The Booty.
It is estimated that the pirates must have got away with about $100,000. taken from officers and passengers Money and jewellery totalled about $80,000 and the arms and ammunition and other pro- perties were reckoned at about $20,000. Six cases of cargo were also opened. The pirates took away with them woollens, blankets, and tweeds. Some shellac and rubber
shoes they did not take the trouble to remove.
Bodies Dumped Overboard.
Th bandits threw the dead bodies of the Chief Officer, the Chief Engineer and the Chinese quartermaster overboard on Thurs- day night. One of the pirates told a member of the crew that they
had to get rid of the bodies" be- cause they were approaching places where there were likely to be men- of-war and that they did not wish to leave any evidence behind.
The Officers.
Captain C. E. Plunkett-Cole is a resident of Hong Kong. He first joined the China Navigation Co. in 1901 and was promoted to master in 1909. He took command of the Anking in 1927.
The late Mr. D. C. Jones joined the C.N.C. in 1923 and was pro- moted to chief officer in 1923. Hr was only transferred to the Anking in June this year.
The late Mr. Heary Thomson was a native of Greenock. He was in his home town when the Auking was being built there. He joined the C.N.C. in 1902 and was made second engineer in 1905 and became first in 1915. His brother by a sad coincidence also lost his life in a
Hong Kong ship, going down in the
Loong Sang.
steam of about 3.000 tons.
Ransack The Ship.
The ss. Anking is one of the
Mr. D. C. Jones, Chief Oficer | bicu captured, the pirates turna C.N.C fleet. She is a well-appoint-
Three hours.
after the ship had largest and newest addition to the
their attention to the passengers' belongings. The latter were told that they would be shot without com. punction if they tried to hide any- thing. First they were ordered to
Mr. J. W. Officer;
Mr. A. 1.
Bennett,
Campbell, Third
Officer:
(killed);
Mr. H. Thomson, Chief Engineer
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,
open their baggage, and then one by one they were marched onto the main deck, and as they came out, women and children, were thorough ly searched. They were assembled on the main deck, under guard, and leaving a strong guard some of the pirates went below and conducted a
6.40 p.m.
Nothing unusual happened until careful search of the passengers on Wednesday, Septem- belongings. They spent several ber 26th, when the vessel was in
hours over the job and when they the Gulf of Tongking.
It was
returned on deck, they had a small then that the attack was made. basketful of banknotes and jewel-
Some of the officers had had din-lery.
Dr. L. K. Woo.
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 ner and others were tidying them- They next turned their attention place The deck was specklessly selves up before having their meal. to the officers' cabins and took away clean and everything was peace- On the bridge were Captain Cyril everything of value, even navigat ful. The officers when not engaged E. Punkett-Cole, the Chief Officer, ing instruments were taken, and in their duties courteously gave Mr. D. C. Jones, and two Chinese what was not stolen was smashed. every help in their power to the Pressmen who had come on board
quartermasters.
The bandits, all well armed, rushed the promenade deck and up the unguarded ladder to the bridge. Shot At Sight,
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
The four men on the bridge were as soon as the vessel was anchored. caught by surprise and before they She saw her husband being removed could offer resistance, the attackers to hospital and bore up with re-fired a volley at point-blank range. markable fortitude. He was taken | Captain Plunkett-Cole was shot to the Peak Hospital where he is twice, one bullet passing clean going on as well as possible, but through his left thigh and the yesterday it was thought advisable other lodging in his right thigh. that he should have a complete rest and see no visitors.
Wanton Destruction,
Several shots were fired at Mr. Jones and he was hit in the chest and the head. The Chinese quar-
Compradore Wanted.
THE “ANKING'S" NEW CAPTAIN.
When our representative again visited the ship yesterday afternoon the steerage passengers had settled down. They were eating their even- ing meal and everything #As normal.
One of the officers remarked that the ship was due to sail this (Mon- day) afternoon. Captain T. John- stone, of the Company's s.s. Kalgan, had already been appointed master, and Mr. Richards was taking over as chief officer.
The passengers bound for Hoihow had already been landed and were proceeding by the a.s. Chinhua to their destination. The officers were decidedly reticent about details of the piracy. It was pointed out, however, that there were no grilles and the promenade deck, though it The only glimmer of humour in had barred gates over its ladders this tragic business was provided fore and aft, was not protected in
the by
Compradora. On the
any way. The bridge was also open night that the ship was captured, to attack, and exposed to small arm the pirates asked for the Com-fire. pradore. This man was in hiding, "We are not in the Piracy zone," and not finding him, the robbers remarked onc officer with mild played havoc with his room break-
irony, "and so
no protection is ing open his safe from which they necessary and We
don't carry got 84,300 in cash. The compra- guards.' dore's gramophone and an expen- It was not very long ago that sive rug were also added to the a consignment of arms was found booty.
in the Anhui at Singapore. It was only that discovery which saved a
The pirates then declared that they would not take the compradore
termaster was also shot dead on the captive and thus re-assured, the Piracy in that case and probably 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.
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 84,300 in cash had been taken. Electric fans. life-belt brackets and everything hanging from the ceiling or against Mr. J. W. Bennett, the second the wooden partition had been torn officer, had seen one shot fired at down in an attempt to find the key Mr. Thomson, who grappled with of the safe.
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 bad mix- could only get hold of a club and ed everything in great heaps so bravely went to the rescue of his
Compradore came out of his hid- ing place and they promised to re- turn $30 to him.
same gang was at work.
That a new and still more serious phase of Chinese piracy may be expected was obviously in the minds of the officers. They felt deeply the helplessness in face of a large
There is no difficulty in getting on board. They stream up fore and aft as fast as you can count them On Friday night, however, the and some times faster. Their bag- compradore had a sudden fear that gage is already on board and for when the robbers left the ship, they all we know any number of pistols might take him as captive after all, may be smuggled in. Hong Kong and he again went into hiding. In is the only place where any sort the meantime, the pirates had of effective search is made." placed $30 beneath the compradore's pillow but when they could not find him they took the money away.
Seven Kidnapped. One Chinese first class and six the robbers for
thing that seven men had little cash on them, happen is for a warship to inter- but they each had a bank draft, and these they showed to the pirates pirates mean business. They made
vene, said one officer. when they were searched.
it plain that they would kill every When the robbers assembled these
one if we were challenged by a the hapless passengers offered their seven men to take them away, though
naval ship. If that had happened drafts to the bandits in exchange find no European officers there at they would have got on board to for freedom. The Pirate chief said
all and the pirates all mingled in that the draft would not be of any
with the passengers who would be use to them as the passengers would too frightened to give them away."
that many passengers were at each comrade. He wielded the club to steerage passengers were taken by armed gang and the futility of re-
other throats disputing over their respective belongings.
STORY OF the ship'S CAPTURE.
"ALL WELL UNTIL
"}
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 The s.o. Anking left Hong Kong his ribs. Other bandits closed in September 10th, for Amoy, and seizing Mr. Bennett they drag: Swatow and Singapore. On Sep ged him into a cabin and locked tember 23rd (Sunday), she left him in.
on
ransom. These
sistance.
The worst
can
"These
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.