CO129-553-3 Anti-piracy measures 7-3-1935 - 4-11-1935 — Page 61

Page 2 of China No.494/1034 of 28th March, 1935.

H.M.3.DEP ANDER vas seen some 10 miles to the eastward, and although she was on the look-out for the "TUNGCEDOW", she could not see that ship under the land, which she did not alose, as the Commanding Officer was aware that the aircraft was searching the Bay.

4.

61

The first direct news received by the Commander-in-Chief, China Station, then onboard H.M.3.KENT on passage from Manila to Brunel Bay in British Borneo, announcing that there was anxiety on the part of the owners of the "TUNGCHOW" because that ship was a day overdue at vei Hai Wei, and could not be communicated with by wireless, was in a signal timed 0900 on 1st February from the Senior Naval Officer, Shanghai, to the Commander-in-Chief, which read as follows :-

: C-in-0. repeated "SANDWICH" and $.0.(I) Shanghai, from : 9.N.0. Shanghai,

Butterfield and 3wire inform me that their steamer Tungchow" left Shanghai on Tuesday with 70 school children returning to Chefoo is more than 24 hours over-due at nei Hai Wei, and nothing has been heard of her. "Grimsby" and "Sandwich" have been endeavouring to establish communica- tion with her during the night, but have been unable to do

80.

0900. lat February, 1935 "

This signal was received in the KENT's W/T Cabinet at 0956 that day, and, not being marked "Immediate" or "Important" did not reach me at once. Immediately on its receipt and after examining the ohart and appreciating the situation I took action as in my signals timed 1102 and 1103 of 1st February, which read as follows :-

"From : G-in-0.

To

"SUFFOLK", repeated Admiralty (250), Commodore,

Hong Kong (308), D.8, and 3.N.0. Shanghai.

IMMEDAT E. H.M. S. SUFFOLK is to proceed to amoy today Friday endeavouring to obtain T touch with 3.3. TUNG CHOW en route. Anti-piracy Fatrol is to be reinforced and extended as necessary to intercept the vessel in the event of her being brought to the south after internal piracy. One destroyer is to proceed to Woosung, keeping a lookout for the missing vessel. All movemente should be at economical speed unless circumstances require higher apo ed.

"From

To

: C-in-0.

1102. 1st February, 1935 "

: SANDWICH, repeated admiralty (248), S.N.0.

Shanghai, and S.N.0.Hong Kong.

IMMADI.TE. Proceed to sea and search coast at

economical speed round N.. Promontory in case 3.3.TUNGCHOW has grounded in that vicinity.

1103. 1st February, 1935 "

at the same time I informed the British Minister,

Peiping, of the

action taken.