officer today, Sunday. Grilles fitted are moderately useless as third class pass :ngers can climb outboard from the Lower Deck to the Upper Deck when the whole of the deck is booked. Fitting of isolated grilles in TUNGCHOW class which have fore and aft deck is almost impossible owing to Board of Trade safety requirements.
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Former pirate volunteers information that he had been a pirate since aze of 16, that he was in the ang which pirated the same ship 9 years ago, and that with two or three other good pirates and some ordinary pirates, he would pirate any ship on the China Coast. In view of existing system of inadequate grilles, inadequate and unreliable foreign guards from Shanghai, and totally inadequate arrangements for interrogating all passengers in Shanghai, latter is entirely controlled by Chinese, I consider the statement to be correct. On a former trip one Russian guard obtained from French Police at Shanghai shot himself, and it transpired that he had been let out from an asylum the day previous to embarkation. 5 guards are in any case inadequate for TUNGCHOW 2 guards are supposed to be on watch continuously.
I saw bullet hole in guard's cabin. Pirates use small bore pistol which cannot be heard on bridge, which is on amae level as upper or boat deck.
Consider proper supervision of passengers could be obtained by 2 Europeans travelling in ship from Shanghai to Woosung, and conducting through investigation of receipts and guarantees of all Chinese passengers, and searching ship, all doubtful passengers being disembarked at Woosung. Compradore will accept doubtful passengers if short of money, and it is impossible for ship's officers to check. Ship's officers prepared to give many suggestiongs but are afraid of losing their job if additional expense incurred by firm is traced to them. I beg source of my information, if any attributed to TUNGCHOW'S officers who behaved remarkably well.
hen first aeroplane was heard approaching TUNGCHOW pirates released junks, cutting ropes and fending off. Pirates in TUNGCHOW ran about shouting and brandishing pistols. They then landed in ship's boats taking Chief Officer and Chinese H/T Operator, who were threatened with shooting if they were attacked. When second aeroplane appeared ship tried to write on deck "Do not shoot at amall boat".
At 1440 H.M.S.DEFENDER was seen clearly from TUNGCHOW who was at anchor, but DEFENDER passed 10 miles south and did not see TUNGCHO₫ under high land. DEFENDER did not steam round Hong Hai Bay as she saw aeroplane.
4th February, 15 ".
I also forwarded on5th February, the following signal received from Commodore, Hong Kong, on Monda, 4th February, to Sir John Brenan in order to help him with his enquiry :-
"I held a meeting today Monday, to discuss TUNG CHOW piracy, "Muinam" incident and anti-piracy enquiry generally.
Present were Commander Howson, H.M.S.DACOY, Staff officers, Mr. Swire from London, and Hong Kong Manager (Mr. Knight), Marine Engineering and Passenger Superintendents who have experience at all ports. Full report will follow by mail.
Extensive steps taken by order of Commander-in-
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