CO129-570-8 Sino-Japanese War- sinking of Chinese fishing boats by Japanese vessel 31-1-1938 - 22-12-1938 — Page 55

CONFIDENTIAL

Translation

Report on investigations into the case of

the sinking of Fishing Vessels.

55

While, on the 22nd September, a Japanese patrol

vessel was engaged in keeping watch at a point 22 degrees

13 minutes north latitude and 116 degrees 4 minutes east

longitude, she sighted at 7.24 a.m. two large sea-going

junks at about 15,000 metres to the north-east.

Thile she

was approaching the junks for the purpose of inspection on a

north-eaterly course and at level speed, at 7.30 a.m., she

sighted four more junks of similar type sailing in a south-

westerly direction at a point about 1,500 metres to the

north-weet of the original junks. She accordingly changed

her course to north-north-east and sailed ahead of the group

of junks. At the same time, the Commander of the patrol

vessel gave orders for the preparation of an inspection boat

and gave the necessary instructions to an inspection crew.

At the time, the weather was fine, wind north-east, force

8 metres, sea inclined to be rough, and, in these weather

conditions, the navigation of the patrol vessel's small boat

was a matter of considerable difficulty. She accordingly

proceeded until her bows had passed the leading junk at a

distance of 2,000 metres and changed her course to the east

at 7.55 a.m. in order to facilitate the lowering of a boat

on the lee-side. She approached the junks reducing her

speed by half. At 8 a.m. she was sailing at slow speed.

At 8.03 a.. when the distance from the junke was 500 metres,

she was suddenly fired on by the junks with rifles and the

Commander accordingly ordered the crew to stand by for an

engagement. She immediately fired some blank charges as 8

warning but without effect. She then fired live shell18

into