CONFIDENTIAL.
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD IN COMMODORE'S OFFICE, MONDAY,
4th FEBRUARY, 1935.
Present
Commodore.
Captain A.R. Hammick (Captain (D) 8). Commander J.M. Howson, H.M.S. "DECOY". Commander D. Orr-Ewing (s.o.(0) ). Lieut. Cdr. R. 3. Barry (A.P.0). Lieut. Car. A.L. Besant (3.0.I.)
Following representatives of Mosers. Butterfield & Swire
Mr. J.K. Swire (from London).
Mr. C.C. Knight (Hong Kong Manager). Captain A. R. McEachran, Mne. Supt. Mr. F.W. James, Supt. Engr.
Mr. P.H. Neale, Wireless Supt.
Mr. R.C. Harley, Passenger Agent.
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The Commodore commenced by outlining the communications scheme and the action taken on reports of failure to communicate.
2.- He then explained in detail the very extensive action which had been taken by the Com ander-in-Chief in the case of the 8.9. "TUNGCHOW" and the local action taken in the cases of "TUNGCHOW" and "MUINAM", emphasising that the first report that the TUNGCHOW" was overdue to WeiHaiwei had been received by the Commodore from the Commander-in-Chief at sea off Manila, and the importance of an efficient W/T communication system in both cases.
3.- In the course of this explanation the Commodore stated what had been done to make the Chinese authorities realise their responsibilities, that the Chinese had a system of outposts round Bias Bay, with H.Q. at Autau, and that they were being pressed to extend their control to Chilang Point; and beyond that there was a W/T Station and a Chinese Gunboat at utau; that considerable pressure had been necessary to make the Chinese carry out thesd measures, but that, such as they were, they had apparently cleared out Bias Bay. The Commodore laid stress on the fact that he had repeatedly warned the Chinese that at present they were only driving the pirates further North, and that they would in future use Hong Hai Bay as a base instead of Bias Bay. This prophesy had been fulfilled in the case of the "TUNGCHOW" and the previous case, the "KAHO".
4.-
Extension on Communication Scheme to ships operating north of Shangha..
The Commodore asked whether any communication scheme was worked north of Shanghai, and whether the introduction of such a scheme had been discussed after the Shuntien piracy. Mr. Neale replied in the negative to the first question; the answer to the second was not known. Mr. Swire said that the possibilities of forming such a scheme required looking into. His firm WAS prepared to take part. It was tentatively suggested that the
3.N.0's ship at Shanghai might work the scheme, reporting failures to Hong Kong. Mr. Neale recommended the adoption of something on
the lines of the southern comannication scheme.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.