CO129-513-8 Attacks by Chinese pirates on shipping- awards for bravery 14-1-1929 - 21-12-1929 — Page 42

Copy.

Enclosure No. 2.

42

Director of Criminal Intelligence,

1. The S.S. "ong Shek Kung" is plying between Hong

Kong and Saigon only with general cargo and passengers not

exceeding 12 in number. The master is the only certificated

officer carried. The Chinese Officers and Engineers hold

similar qualifications to those required to run a steam

launch under 60 tons.

2.

Certain members of the crew sean to have recruited

3 pirates on shore and smuggled them on board the ship a

few hours before sailing where they were secreted until the

piracy was launched a few hours after the ship had left

Hong Kong. These pirates seem to have taken the firearms

(five revolvers) on board in a basket.

3.

The No.1 Fireman on the ship seems to be primarily

responsible for this piracy. He had secured the confidence

of four members of his staff who took an active part in the

piracy.

The eight pirates carried out a thorough search of

the vessel after they had got control of the ship. No

resistence was offered and no unnecessary violence was used;

no person was seriously injured.

The pirates fired some shots when the compradore,

whom they evidently intended to hold for ransom, eluded them

and concealed himself amongst the deck cargo (vegetables)

and was not discovered by the pirates who made a diligent

search for him; they probably thought he may come out from

his place of concealment when shots were fired.

The cargo stolen from the holds was brought on

deck by the pirates before the ship reached Kau Lan Island

where the pirates disembarked with their loot.

There was also considerable malicious damage done

to furniture and fittings on the ship. The crew and

passengers