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10. At 1520 I altered course to 150 degrees, speed 20 knots, in order to open out from Chilang Point, with the intention of closing in as night fell. At 1545 altered course to 115 degrees and reduced to 13 knots. At 1600, as visibility was deteriorating owing to drizzle, course was altered to 050 degrees. At 1700, owing to poor visibility, altered course to 293 degrees to close Chilang Light. At 1725 sighted a steamer to the eastward and altered course 080 deg: to close her. This was the S.3. "HOF SANG" from Tsingtao. A signal was made asking if her Master had heard of or seen the S.3. "TUNGCHOW”.
11. At this time 3.3. "TUNGCHOW'S" message to Cape D'Águilar was being intercepted. It was reported to me at 1755. At 1800 H.M.S. "DEFINDER" was steadied on course 270 deg:, øpeed 20 knots, proceeding towards Tsiech Point. Owing to the poor visibility, I considered a higher speed unsafe. At 1840, Chilang Light 350 deg: 2.2 miles, altered course 260 deg:. At 1854 a message was received from S.S. TUNGCHOW" asking for an escort. The drizzle having cleared, speed was increased to 24 knots and course altered to 250 deg: in order to overtake 9.3. TUNGCHOW". at 1915 a signal giving particulars of the pirates landing was passed to Ping Hoi.
Tai and Sami and "Wu Fung" could not be communicated with. at 2035, as H.M. S. "DEFENDER" came up with "TUNGCHOW", H.M.S. "DAINTY" also made contact from ahead, and H.M.S. "DECOY" appeared on the starboard bow.
12. At 2047, in accordance with orders from the Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "D&COY", later amplified by your signal 2020/1, course was set to patrol to Chilang Foint and back so as to be off Taiech Point at dawn.
13.
Saturday, 2nd February. at 0615, H.M.S. "DIF £NDER" was 5.5 miles 270 degrees from Goat Island. The only two junks in sight were anchored near Coat Island. Came to anchor off Goat Island at 0705. A boat under the charge of an officer, with the Canteen Manager as interpreter, was sent inshore to question the junks' orews and the inhabitants of the island. No useful information could be obtained, the story of an island eye-witness confirming the information already signalled by the Master of the 9.S. TUNG CHOW".
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14. I therefore decided to see if anything could be learned at Tai Sami. At 0840 weighed and proceeded. Owing to low state of the tide it was impossible to cross the bar at Tai Sami anchored outside at 1006, and sent a whaler in under oars (the motor boat being out of action and there was no wind) with an officer and interpreter to interview customs and military authorities.
15. This party returned at 1245 with the information that Junk fisherman, who had refused to go alongside the "TUNGCHOW" had come to Tai Sami the previous evening and reported the incident to the military authorities, stating that the pirates who had landed had proceeded towards Chiap Cheng town. The military authorities had despatched one officer and 60 soldiers at daybreak to inter- cept them if possible. This information was passed to H.M. S. "DECOY", then just arrived at Taiech Point with Major Ma from Autau. While anchored off Tai Sami, the Chinese Steamer "STANLEY" came out of harbour and proceeded in the direction of Fokai Point. Her appearance coincided with that of the small steamer referred to in paragraph 9.
16. At 1315 weighed and proceeded to join H. M. S. "DECOY" of Tsiech Point. about 1 mile to the westward of Tsiech Point the
It was abandoned boat of "TUNGCHOW" was found waterlogged. picked up and hoisted, but, as it was badly smashed and beyond
On being ordered to resume patrol repair, it was again abandoned.
by "DECOY", "DEFENDER" proceeded to Hei Chi Chin Bay remaining
there until 0200.
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