[
    {
        "id": 233219,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-042 - Sir Bonham - 1853 [1-6]",
        "page_number": 126,
        "title": "CO129-042 - Sir Bonham - 1853 [1-6]",
        "content_text": "300\n\n300\n\n3\n\n800\n\n120\n\n150\n\n3\n\nReturn of Reports of Piracie: Committed\n\nPute of Pirncy Succription & tone noted Name of owner\n\n1849.\n\nMarch Trading Boat Too Achow\n\nMan\n\n#\n\nPort sailing from Hoy-frong\n\nCling came Lart Const Honghong and Fishing Boat Leong fat tiri\n\n# 305 #1 Lulu # it \" 55 145 20 Hong Kong ming Hong Kong\n\nBunge Brat M419 Wong Aking # # 28th Fishing Boat\n\nChin-Chew cunt 14 Passage Boat st Fishing Boat\n\n# 3/42 # Yang asam Hong Kong and Macas\n\nThai ping shau Yarns how yarns Fat chan LUTL Show Foong chan ashing Chay cam Foong you Why afork and Jam woon Amy Tone East Coast Jsecu wan\n\nAberdeen # \" cheang wapor Low tuk fat # # inquet 3f Passage Bout 1/74 Long ye hing Tongmoon and songsong\n\n8th Fishing Boat. Lee sing yo Aberdeen\n\n165 Trading Junk 19 Fishing Boat Bont Leony\n\nChun Aying, Leong low the Canton Aberdeen Low chun she\n\n22\" Tow many Trading boat, Lum seen 20% Fishing Boat Too atyr -eptember 4* Trading Boat.\n\n# 5 \" Lurn động chói fut Canton Macas hast Coast man tong ung \"1 Маско\n\nLorcha N44 Autouis Joze 12 Passage boat Leong Fishing Boat aln Chun tsuen Wong wo chaong Ping hoi Rice\n\nBeaus, to. Clothing and other Articles, not valued\n\nPassengers' Ingaçe, H., LA Baggage and Suns Clothing and other property\n\nBoat and clothing- not valued. Fish, Salt and Money Ppium\n\nBoat and property - not value? ato its 16 Silver, Cack, clothing tornaments. 2? Bost and Property-\n\nPaesengers' baggage, te. Bout and property- ざ not valu\n\n1500 bags of dingar, 800 and rold Gollaw to property Bont and property- not valued the chest of pinen, +3 Bes\n\nBoats and Cargo Guns, muckets &other articles not valued\n\nMoney, Hium, & other artisi: - Boat and property\n\n300 1100 ; c.1 C 7 123 15",
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    {
        "id": 374606,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899",
        "page_number": 679,
        "title": "CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899",
        "content_text": "62\n\n675\n\nSir,\n\n2\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMessrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co. to Commissioner of Customs, Samshui.\n\nWuchow, September 30, 1898.\n\nAS joint charterers with Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, and the Hong Kong, Canton, and Macao Steam-boat Company of the British steamer \"Kongpak,\" trading between Hong Kong and the Treaty port of Wuchow, we are anxious to register this vessel at your port for inland navigation, and shall be glad to learn whether, under the Provisional Regulations, it would be permitted.\n\nThe vessel would, on entering the river, land no cargo at any place below Samshui, although the loading of it and of passengers destined for other up-river ports would be desirable. Any imports she might have on board for places above Samshui would, of course, be declared both at the entrance and also at Samshui, where Tariff duty would be paid on it, as is now done with goods imported from Hong Kong to the two ports of call, Takhing and Shuihing. On the return journey from Wuchow to Hong Kong she would take no cargo for export below Samshui, although, as on the upward journey, she might engage in the coast trade (one Chinese place to another) between two places lying, one above Samshui and the other below it. The inland water pass could be surrendered each trip at either the Wangmoon or Mongchao Customs stations on the vessel leaving the river.\n\nOr, if the above be not permissible, she might be allowed to trade above Samshui only, getting and also surrendering her inland water pass at that place each voyage,\n\nIn the event of either of the above being permitted, we would desire to know whether the payment of the fee provided, viz., 10 taels, would cover the issue of the necessary papers for more than one voyage?\n\nIn conclusion, we might add that, although we are not authorized to negotiate anything of that nature, we anticipate that there would be no objection-provided the above privileges be granted-on the part of the Companies named to give a bond to the Customs for due fulfilment of the conditions above.\n\nWe have, &c. (Signed)\n\nJARDINE, MATHESON, AND Co.\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nCommissioner of Customs, Samshui, to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co.\n\nSirs,\n\nSamshui, November 3, 1898.\n\nADVERTING to your letter of the 30th September, 1898, requesting to know whether your Hong Kong-Wuchow steam-ship \"Kongpak\" would be allowed to register at this office, and take out a licence to ply in inland waters, and to my reply of the 5th ultimo informing you that your request had been referred to the Inspector-General, I now beg to communicate to you the Inspector-General's reply:-\n\n\"That vessels engaged in inter-Treaty port trade or in trade with ports outside Chinese jurisdiction cannot also be registered for inland, i.e., non-Treaty port, trade. The vessels registered under the Inland Waters Steam Navigation Rules must be confined to trade between Treaty ports and inland places or between inland places.\"\n\nI beg, &c.\n\nSir,\n\nInclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\n[Not Signed.]\n\nMessrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co. to Commissioner of Customs, Wuchow.\n\nWuchow, February 15, 1899.\n\nREFERRING to clause 8 of the Supplementary Rules under Inland Steam Navigation Regulations, we should be glad to learn whether the Rules, &c., in force at the several places where dues and duties are payable, have yet been published, and, if not, will you kindly inform us on what date the issue of them may be looked for?\n\nWe have, &c.\n\n(Signed) JARDINE, MATHESON, AND Co.\n\n3\n\nInclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\nCommissioner of Customs, Wuchow, to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nWuchow, February 28, 1899.\n\nI HAVE duly received your letter of the 15th instant asking when the Rules regarding dues and duties inland will be published.\n\nIn reply, I beg to state that I have not yet received any copies of these, and that I do not yet know when they will be issued.\n\nInclosure 6 in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum re Inland Navigation.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n[Not Signed.]\n\nalready red is\n\n30652\n\nIN order that the nature and meaning of these restrictions may be fully understood,\n\nit is necessary to enter into somewhat lengthy details, but the importance of the stake at issue will, we think, form ample apology for doing so.\n\nAt the opening of the West River to foreign trade two lines of steamers were started by us to engage in the carrying trade of it-one for the direct trade between Hong Kong and Wuchow via Samshui and the \"ports of call,\" the other between Canton and Wuchow, also viâ Samshui and the \"ports of call.\"\n\nThe advantage accruing to merchants from the payment of a fixed sum for import duty and transit dues which franked their goods through to the remote parts of Yunnan and Kuei-chow caused a considerable rush of imports to find their way in from Hong Kong by water carriage instead of via the Pakhoi overland route, &c., which they had followed previous to the opening of the river. The li-kin authorities have from time to time held out threats of reducing their import duty on goods, thus diverting them from foreign to native craft; but although the Canton provincial authorities have adopted these tactics with the success which usually characterizes their actions of this sort, there has been, up to date, no systematic attempt to extend them throughout the length of the West River, so that, to a large extent, the competition we encounter, although keen, is but the natural result of rivalry in trade,\n\nWhen the inland waters of China were first declared to be open, a good deal of doubt existed as to the conditions under which the navigation of them would be allowed, and, with a view to gaining information on this important point—important to us not only from the expansion of trade that would result, but also that it might seriously modify the plans of vessels we were then contracting to have built—we applied to the Imperial Maritime Customs at Samshui to register the steam-ship \"Kongpak\" for inland navigation. After reference to Peking, this was refused by the Inspector-General of Customs, whose decision on the matter is given in the Samshui Commissioner's letter, copy of which is attached. While we still think that the privileges asked for might be accorded without danger to the safety of the revenue of China, we must at the same time admit that there are considerable difficulties in the way, and that, probably, the only effective way of meeting them would be to open Kongmoon, or some other place situated at the mouth of the river, as a Treaty port, whence, and also from Samshui and Wuchow, after payment of duties, goods would be free to find their way inland, carried either by the importing or other steamer as was found most convenient.\n\nSo far we have only dealt with the effect the opening of waters has had on the direct trade with Hong Kong, the craft engaged in which come under the heading of vessels engaged in trade with ports outside Chinese jurisdiction, and are, therefore, excluded from any direct participation in the benefits which should result therefrom. There still, however, remains the Canton-Wuchow trade, the steamers on which, being vessels engaged in inter-Treaty port trade, are also, by the Inspector-General's ruling, debarred from inland water privileges. It is to this decision, as affecting this class of vessel, that we would beg your most earnest attention, as we are of the unanimous opinion that, if enforced, it will, as we have already stated, render the whole Concession valueless.\n\nFrom the beginning our vessels on the Canton-Wuchow line have been subjected to such restrictions that it seemed quite hopeless for them to attempt to compete with their",
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    {
        "id": 376347,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6]",
        "page_number": 25,
        "title": "CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6]",
        "content_text": "# No. 193.\n\n## Hospices\n\n0.0. 22 17631 Bee 6 JUN 00\n\nGovernment House, Hongkong, 5th May, 1900.\n\n13320\n\nSir,\n\nWith reference to Sir H.A. Blake's despatch No. 130 of 31st March, 1900, and previous correspondence on the subject of Piracies on the West River, I have the honour to inform you that acting on a suggestion made by the Naval Authorities and after consultation with the Chamber of Commerce, a regular route has been decided on to be patrolled by Her Majesty's Ships with a view to the better protection of the West River trade. The route selected by the Chamber of Commerce is that from Samshui to the sea by Wangmoon, Szilam, and Junction Channels, and the West River between Sanshui and Kongmoon.\n\n2. I shall have the honour to report in due course as to the effect of this policy on the welfare of river-borne commerce, which has hitherto suffered so severely from piratical attacks.\n\nI have the honour to be,\nSir,\nYour most obedient,\nHumble Servant,\n**M.J. Gascoigne**\nMajor-General,\nAdministering the Government.\n\n**THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P., &c., &c., &c.**",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6].txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 387430,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-315 - Public Offices & Others - 1902",
        "page_number": 183,
        "title": "CO129-315 - Public Offices & Others - 1902",
        "content_text": "182 \n\nGoing to Lame this for papers & returning to land there for Kangmoon. Nothing to carry but thin goods with my proposal to Customs officers.\n\nThis was in pursuance of a suggestion that has been accepted by Sue R Hart, the Young Commissioner, and distinguishing clause, but which fell through on the report of Cantonese Customs Commission, that river steamers be permitted to carry passengers and land cargo at any place on the river, on the undertaking that no merchandise should",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-315 - Public Offices & Others - 1902.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 403206,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905",
        "page_number": 115,
        "title": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905",
        "content_text": "# SOUTH-WEST CHINA\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nNo. 1.\n\n113\n\n[July 3]\n\n## SECTION 1\n\n### Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.---(Received July 3.)\n\nPeking, May 12, 1905.\n\nNo. 167.\n\nLord,\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copies of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Acting Consul at Kongmoon, and of a covering despatch from His Majesty's Consul General at Canton, on the subject of the putting into force of the revised West River Regulations.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) **ERNEST SATOW**\n\n#### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n(No. 19.)\n\n### Consul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow.\n\nCanton, April 20, 1905,\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit herewith a despatch which I have received under flying seal from His Majesty's Acting Consul at Kongmoon regarding the revised West River Regulations, which are at last being put in force.\n\nThe consent of the Diplomatic Representatives in Peking to these Regulations was received and duly communicated to the Commissioner of Customs on the 31st December, 1904, by me on behalf of the Consular Body at this port. But it was only within the last few days, and after several applications on his part, that the Commissioner of Customs at Canton obtained the necessary instructions from the Inspector-General.\n\nOne point of vital interest to the shipping arose in connection with these instructions, namely, the substitution of the Sailam Channel for that of the Kerr Channel, which is named by the Regulations. The point was so obvious that the Consular Body unanimously resolved to sanction this change in the Regulations without reference to Peking, and I informed the Commissioner of Customs accordingly.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) **J. SCOTT**\n\n#### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n(No. 2.)\n\n### Acting Consul Tebbitt to Consul-General Scott.\n\nKongmoon, April 19, 1905.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inform you that I have been notified by the Commissioner of Customs that the revised West River Regulations have been accepted and sanctioned.\n\nIn consequence, steamers from Hong Kong for Samshui and beyond will be authorized on and after the 1st May next to proceed direct from Hong Kong to Samshui, if so desired, without coming first to Kongmoon for a West River permit.\n\nThis is the only material alteration in the new Regulations, and it concedes all that has been asked for by the Shipping Companies.\n\nThere will be a minor alteration under Article 5, No. 9(6), in the text when published, in which the words \"Sailam Channel\" will be substituted for the words \"Kerr Channel,\" the effect of which will be to authorize steamers to use the Sailam Channel.\n\nThis will make no alteration in the existing practice, for although the 1897 West River Regulations and subsequent amendments required vessels which enter at Wangmoon to proceed via the Kerr Channel, yet, as a matter of fact, the Customs...",
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    },
    {
        "id": 403207,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905",
        "page_number": 116,
        "title": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905",
        "content_text": "## Confidential\n\nonly discovered last autumn that this route had never been used, as it contained bogus information, and that all steamers had gone through the shorter, deeper, and safer Sailam Channel. As it was immaterial to the Customs which channel was used as long as they confined themselves to one route, Sir Robert Hart has sanctioned the substitution of the Sailam Channel for the Kerr Channel in the revised Regulations.\n\nI have also the honour to mention parenthetically that, for the convenience of shipping via this route, the Customs have, after a year's consideration of the question, finally started to thoroughly survey the entrance at Wangmoon for the purpose of erecting a light during the course of the year.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)  \nR. T. TEBBITT  \n\n## Confidential.\n\nJune 10.\n\nThe Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State, and is directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit, to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a further section of confidential correspondence, as marked in the margin.\n\nForeign Office, July 21, 1905.\n\nPage 114  \nPage 114",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 438398,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-391 - Acting Governor Claud Severn Governor Sir May - 1912 [7-8]",
        "page_number": 167,
        "title": "CO129-391 - Acting Governor Claud Severn Governor Sir May - 1912 [7-8]",
        "content_text": "Enclosure 1.\n\nPiracies reported on West River and Delta.\n\n19th. November:\n\n23rd November:\n\n25th. November:\n\nNovember:\n\n5th. December:\n\n6th. December.\n\n12th. December:\n\n19th. January:\n\nC. 0. 161\n\nG19 AUG 12 Water Communication between Wuchow and Nanning interrupted. Wuchow trade at standstill. His Majesty's Ship \"Sandpiper\" ordered from Kongmoon to patrol West River between Wuchow and Sanshui. Replaced by Torpedo Boat 038. British vessel \"Shiu On\" (plying between Kongmoon and Hongkong) pirated near Staunch Island. Chief Officer killed and $10,000 worth in money and valuables lost.\n\nBritish Steamship Companies propose discontinuing service Hongkong to Wuchow. Dissuaded by Consul-General who arranges with Senior Naval Officer for stronger patrol on West River and Delta. Three torpedo boats 035, 036 and 038 patrol from Sanshui to Kongmoon and Tangmoon. The Gunboats \"Moorhen\", \"Sandpiper\", and \"Robin\" patrol Saushui and Wuchow along with the Torpedo Boat Destroyer \"Handy\". H. M. S. \"Rosario\" remains at Canton. British Steamship Companies agree to continue service to Wuchow.\n\nTrade on Upper West River temporarily suspended. Convoy system suggested for British boats plying to Nanning, but extent of trade does not justify expenses.\n\nWest and East Rivers very disturbed by fear of piratical attacks.\n\nMore piracies on West River. The ex-pirate Luk-Lan-ch'ing charged with protection of West River trade.\n\nPiracy rife all over Delta and West River.\n\nThree Chinese launches pirated near Sunning, Fungchen, and Kongmoon as well as British launch",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-391 - Acting Governor Claud Severn Governor Sir May - 1912 [7-8].txt",
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    {
        "id": 443796,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-402 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [7-8]",
        "page_number": 234,
        "title": "CO129-402 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [7-8]",
        "content_text": "## Enclosure 3. Recommendations of the Piracy Prevention Committee.\n\n227\n\n1. The number of guards on board River Steamers should be four men at least. They should be non-Chinese and armed with modern weapons. The weapons should be tested weekly and the guards practised in their use. The guards should also carry whistles.\n\n2. The Police should have the right of examining the guards and their weapons, to see that they are efficient.\n\n3. All the guards should be on duty immediately before and after departure and arrival, and at all times (during the voyage) at least two should be on duty.\n\n4. All officers on duty, including Engineers, should carry loaded pistols of a good and serviceable pattern, and should understand the use of them. These arms should be tested periodically.\n\n5. The River Steamers and passengers should be searched by the Police before sailing, by male and female searchers. Two Chinese Constables and one female searcher to each ship. They should be supervised by European Police.\n\n6. Passengers and their luggage should not be allowed to embark on the off side of the ship.\n\n7. Abaft of the wheel house should be erected a steel grille with dodgers on either side of bullet-proof material (see sketch). No ladders to be allowed on foreside of the bridge.\n\n8. Grilled doors should be provided to all entrances leading to engine or boiler rooms.\n\n9. Only first-class saloon passengers to be allowed on the boat or shade deck.\n\n10. Regulations should be made so that at night time, between Cap Shui Mun and Wangmoon and between Cap Shui Mun and the Bogue forts and vice versa, the River Steamers accompany each other and remain within easy signalling distance. The ships to have distress signals ready for use.\n\n11. The owners, agents or charterers of River Steamers to enter into...",
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    {
        "id": 444778,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-404 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1913 [10-12]",
        "page_number": 290,
        "title": "CO129-404 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1913 [10-12]",
        "content_text": "# No.167.\n\nSir,\n\n17258285\n\n\"Minotaur\" at Hong Kong AY 13 21 8th April 1913.\n\nExcellency\n\nWith regard to the recent \"Tai-on\" piracy case, I have the honour to furnish Your Excellency with the following remarks on the naval measures adopted for the patrol of the West River, and the waterways between Hong Kong, Canton and Macao.\n\n2.- The vessels employed consist of three river gunboats, which remain permanently in the West River, only visiting Hong Kong for refit, or on other exceptional occasions, and four torpedo boats, two of which are always on patrol duty, the other two being at Hong Kong.\n\n3.- The patrol is divided into the following sections:-\n| Section | Area |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | Between Kongmoon and Wangmoon |\n| (b) | Delta between Wangmoon and Samshui |\n| (c) | Between Samshui and Wuchow |\n\n4.- \n| Section | Vessels |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | 2 torpedo boats |\n| (b) | 1 gunboat |\n| (c) | 2 gunboats |\n\nThe powers vested in Commanding Officers of the patrol vessels may be summarised as follows :-\n| Power | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | If a vessel is suspected to be piratical she may be examined, and if there are strong grounds for supposing that such is the case she may be detained. |\n| (b) | Officers may use force when fired upon; or, when a piracy is actually seen to take place, to effect the destruction or capture of the pirates. |\n| (c) | Landing in Chinese territory in pursuit of or search for pirates is strictly forbidden. |\n\n5.- Reports are received monthly from the patrolling vessels as to the state of security of traffic, and also on all matters of interest, together with details of their movements and proceedings during the previous month.\n\nSir Francis H. May,  \nGovernor and Commander-in-Chief,  \nK.C.M.G.  \nHong Kong.",
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    {
        "id": 444779,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-404 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1913 [10-12]",
        "page_number": 291,
        "title": "CO129-404 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1913 [10-12]",
        "content_text": "286\n\nRecent reports are all to the effect that everything has been quiet in the river and that the Chinese authorities are very active in suppressing piracy and robbery, maintaining an efficient escort, and patrol with torpedo boats and armed launches.\n\n6.- In the open waters extending from our territorial boundary to Macao and Wai-chow (or Wangmoon), no regular patrol is maintained. These waters are practically open sea and are too unsheltered to be patrolled by torpedo boats and river gunboats; whilst the exigencies of naval requirements preclude me from detailing destroyers or larger vessels for the purpose, unless the occasion is very exceptional.\n\nI will however make arrangements for one of the torpedo craft at Hong Kong to go to sea occasionally at uncertain intervals in the direction of Macao and Wangmoon, provided the weather is suitable.\n\n7.- In regard to such a case as the \"Tai-on\", it appears to me that no amount of patrolling can save a steamer from internal attack by pirates who have embarked in the guise of passengers.\n\nI believe it is some years since there has been an external attack on a British vessel, and therefore the patrol may be considered to have fulfilled its object. Such an attack on steamers seems very unlikely to succeed or to be attempted, unless they are disabled or aground.\n\n8.- I would add that as regards the 4 Torpedo Boats on patrol duties, it is only since the beginning of the revolution that they have been employed on this work, their crews having been specially augmented for the purpose.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-404 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1913 [10-12].txt",
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    {
        "id": 445882,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913",
        "page_number": 353,
        "title": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913",
        "content_text": "351\n\nand looking very suspicious. In the meantime a man\n\nand a woman had got ashore with another basket, which\n\nI presume contained arms; however, they got away\n\nwithout our catching them.\n\nHis Majesty's Ship \"Robin\" being in port, I at\n\nonce informed the Commander, who placed an armed guard\n\non board consisting of three Bluejackets and an officer in\n\ncharge, who proceeded with the ship to Hong Kong where\n\nwe arrived at 5 a.m. on the present instant.\n\nDuring the passage to Hong Kong, a Colt's automatic pistol fully\n\nloaded was found hidden away in one of the cabins, evidently\n\nplaced there by one of the passengers, so as not to\n\nbe discovered on his person when the general search took\n\nplace. I may say that if the Customs authorities had\n\nnot made a search for contraband tea, we should have known\n\nnothing about the matter and there is no doubt that we\n\nshould have been again attacked; it is clearly evident that\n\nthe guns were brought on board by women, as we found a\n\nlarge number of fully loaded pistols concealed in the\n\ncushioned seats of the deck chairs. We had several rich\n\nChinese passengers on board and a lot of valuables,\n\nI should say about $12,000 or $13,000 worth.\n\nThis was the pirates' principal object.\n\nEverybody is of opinion that the ship was to be\n\nheld up in the same waters as before, on her return\n\nvoyage to Hong Kong, that is between Wangmoon Customs\n\nstation, on the entrances to the Canton Delta and West\n\nRiver and Hong Kong, and I may say it is a splendid\n\nground for piracy, there being no gunboats of any\n\nnationality cruising in these waters. On the passage\n\nwe saw what we thought to be a suspicious looking\n\ncraft, flashing lights as we approached, but as no\n\nsignals were returned from the \"Tai On\" she did not\n\ncome close to us. The Chinese Customs do not arrest\n\nanyone for smuggling, they only confiscate the goods.\n\nI am enclosing an official extract from my log\n\nbook which bears out the above statement.\n\nYours faithfully,\n\n(Signed)\n\nH.W. Holmes,\n\nCommanding Steam Ship \"Tai On\"",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 451033,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "page_number": 615,
        "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "content_text": "## 608\n\n...kept in check by the very vigorous steps taken by the Chinese gunboats, armed launches, and troops. I feel sure that in many of the wilder places, practically all the inhabitants would, if the occasion occurred, be pirates, especially in the Fu Tiu Man and Ngao Tau districts, and that in all probability the so-called Chinese troops in these districts are in league with the pirates, which accounts for the frequent petty robberies from launches, etc.\n\n## 1. SUGGESTIONS FOR CHECKING PIRACIES\n\nI have for some time been of the opinion that torpedo-boats should patrol between Wangmoon and Lantau during fine weather, but in view of the sudden changes often experienced, this is hardly practicable. I therefore suggest the building of two good solid launches of about 40-50 tons displacement, after the style of the Chinese Customs armed launches which sometimes make fast to buoys off Blue Buildings at Hongkong. The dimensions should be roughly as follows:\n\n| Length | Breadth | Draught | Speed |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 60 to 70 feet | 15 to 18 feet | not more than 6 feet | at least 12 knots, preferably more |\n\nTheir armament should consist of a 3 or 6 pounder for attacking piratical junks which have got into shallow water out of the way of their pursuers, and in addition, two Maxims. They should also be fitted with an electric projector; the acetylene type not being strong enough to be of any practical use.\n\nPossibly 1",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 451344,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-417 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "page_number": 271,
        "title": "CO129-417 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "content_text": "286\n\nin outline they are as follows:\n\n(1) Between Lintin and Wangmoon - open waters, the **relief ship Kuanghai**, armed transport, and two oceangoing destroyers.\n\n(2) A military post of 120 men to be stationed on shore in proximity to what the Intelligence Department have discovered to be pirate lairs and to cooperate with the navy.\n\n(3) Between Fangmoon and Kongmoon a large destroyer and subsidiary craft for patrol duty.\n\n(4) Various subsidiary craft for the delta and East and North rivers.\n\nThe total number of vessels to be employed on the inland waters is 732, many of which, however, will first have to be overhauled and repaired.\n\nSo soon as I obtain the promised list of dispositions I will communicate it to British steamers plying on the various routes and ask them to supply with information as to the extent to which they are observed.\n\nThere are indications of a local rising on the Lien river, an affluent of the North River,",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-417 - Public Offices - 1914.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 452638,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914",
        "page_number": 484,
        "title": "CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914",
        "content_text": "# HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SUPPLEMENT\n\nThose who were found clinging to the rudder were transferred to the s.s. Hoisang, as was also the compradore of the Tai On, who was also picked up and brought into Hongkong early on Tuesday. On arrival off Green Island, the police were called and attended under Inspector Gordon. Mr. McCartney was removed to the Government Civil Hospital, and the rescued Chinese were taken charge of by the Water Police.\n\nCaptain Wetherell sustained no injury from the pirates, though he received a nasty blow in the chest from a detonator that he exploded when the attack commenced. He was badly singed. Having killed the man who endeavoured to climb onto the bridge, Capt. Wetherell searched him for signs of identification and papers but failed to secure any clues from him.\n\nThe three officers concerned in this new outrage are all well known in the Colony. Capt. Wetherell has been on the West River for about two years. First, he was the mate of the s.s. On Lee. Later, he went with Capt. Holmes to the Tai On and was Chief Officer on that boat. Shortly after that, when Captain Holmes left the ship, he became master, a position which he has held ever since. He has a married daughter in Hongkong, who was saved from the wreck of a boat in Nagasaki Harbour some twenty-five years ago, when Mrs. Wetherell met her death.\n\nMr. Evans was in India before he came to join the River steamer traffic at Hongkong and was at one time with the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company.\n\nMr. McCartney has been on board the Tai On for many years past and was in the last piracy of the ship.\n\nThe authorities, on hearing of the outrage, took prompt steps in connection with it. Two torpedo boats, Nos. 035 and 037, were immediately placed under orders to proceed there with armed guards, and they left shortly after ten o'clock for Ki O, which is about thirty miles from Hongkong. The Governor's yacht, Stanley, was also commissioned, and in this, Commander Basil Taylor, Harbour Master, left for the scene of the outrage. The Hon. Mr. McI. Messer also left in one of the torpedo boats with a police guard. There is at present no information as to how all the pirates fared after they had fired the ship. No one seems to know whether they succeeded in getting away from the ship with any booty, and apparently, no junks were seen in the vicinity. Their fate is at present the interest of the authorities, who have despatched police in the torpedo boats, with food, to deal with matters on the spot. The fact that food has been ordered for the force that has been despatched seems to show that they are expected to be away some little time.\n\nLater in the morning, the s.s. Shun Lee and the Shiu On arrived in the Harbour and took up anchorages opposite the Harbour Office. Armed police guards were at once put on board. No one was allowed to leave the vessel, and a police patrol boat was told off to cruise round, keeping craft from approaching them. Representatives of the Telegraph went out and, while allowed to pass by the patrol, were forbidden to board. However, in a few words that were passed between a European officer on board and the press representatives, the former was able to express doubts as to the condition of Mr. McCartney before the visiting sampan was hurried off by the police. The Chinese brought in by the s.s. Hoisang were conveyed to the Water Police to await enquiries.\n\nAnother story of the occurrence states that at about eleven o'clock, the s.s. Wo Kwai saw the s.s. Tai On ablaze near Ki O. She went within two hundred yards of the vessel and was instrumental in saving the Captain, the Chief Engineer, and seven others, four of whom were found clinging to the rudder. The piracy was first made known to those on the bridge by the sound of shots below. The Captain, with a shotgun, and the Indian Guard, of whom there are four carried on board, taking watches, defended the bridge. The Pirates, finding that they could not take the vessel, set fire to it. The Chief Engineer received shot wounds, and Officer Evans is missing.\n\nSpeaking with an officer engaged in the West River trade, the Telegraph learnt that the district in which the piracy took place is nearly in the centre of the district commonly reported to be infested by pirates.\n\n\"If you stood on Wangmoon and drew a circle of thirty miles radius,\" he said, \"you would map out the district where the pirates are to be found.\"\n\nThis officer, speaking of the resistance that had been offered to the pirates, did not agree with it. \"It is the feeling along the wharves that it will be a bad time for Europeans at the next piracy,\" he said.\n\nThe long scroll of piracies in the waters of south China has had a further addition in the attack on the Tai On near Ki O; but there is one satisfactory side to the story - that is the fact that four of the pirates, alleged, are lying in the Government Civil Hospital in Hongkong suffering from gunshot wounds in three instances and from severe burns in the other. It is very likely that one of the men who received a shot in the chest, practically blowing it away, will not live much longer, and from him, little information is ever likely to be gained.\n\nWhen the Telegraph called at the Hospital on Tuesday, Dr. Bell intimated that the men could not be seen, as they were in a special room under an armed guard of Indians. One man had been shot in the shoulder, and the other in the left thigh. The damage to the thigh was, from his observation, of a very serious nature, and at the moment, the patient was about to be operated upon. The wounds were of a spreading nature, that it appeared as though they were inflicted with a shotgun. Engineer McCartney had been to the Hospital that morning suffering from a slight wound in the lower part of his back, but, though he was invited to stay, preferred to leave the hospital after being attended to.\n\nThe men, said Dr. Bell, who were alleged to be the pirates, appeared to be of the Chinese common class, and neither of them appeared in any dress other than that of the artisan or boatman. As far as he knew, no arms had been found upon them, but it was practically certain that they would have been subjected to a search before being brought to the hospital.\n\nThe Telegraph eventually succeeded in interviewing Capt. Somerville of the s.s. Shun Lee. The Captain gave a most graphic description of the truly horrifying scenes that he witnessed.\n\nThe Shun Lee left Hongkong, said the skipper, at 5:30 on Monday; the weather was cloudy and squally. They passed Kwongmoon at 9:00, and the s.s. On Lee passed them at 10:10. Shortly after the On Lee had passed them, the Liantan passed up and gave word that the Tai On was on fire. At 10:20, Capt. Somerville, from the bridge of the Shun Lee, observed distress rockets going up on his starboard bow. A quarter of an hour later, he saw the Tai On ashore sending up rockets and blowing her steam whistle. Capt. Somerville slowed down his engines and made towards the Tai On, blowing his steam whistle in answer.\n\nAt 10:50, he anchored in twelve feet of water; it was very dark at the time, and he could not get very near to the Tai On. He sounded down about four cables' lengths off, just inside half a mile.\n\nAt eleven o'clock, a fork of flame shot skywards from one end of the Tai On. At the moment, he could not say whether it was stem or stern, owing to the darkness. He immediately put out the lifeboats of the Shun Lee, with the object of rescue work. At 11:30, three boats pulled towards the burning ship, and from then until four o'clock in the morning, the men worked with unceasing vigour, bringing half-drowned persons to the haven of the Shun Lee. By this time, no less than 116 persons were rescued from certain death.\n\n\"Of what use are our grillages now, or our bullet-proof protectors for the bridge,\" feelingly exclaimed Capt. Somerville, \"if they are going to burn our ships from under us and plunder us while we are sinking slowly and helplessly into the treacherous mud of the West River?\" The scenes in and about the Tai On, he continued, \"were almost indescribable; the flames shot mast-high, and the smoke hindered greatly the rescuers in their work and to a great extent obscured vision. The wails and cries from the hundreds in the water were heartrending, and as the boats drew close by the Tai On, desperate people clung to the sides of the boats and made frenzied efforts to gain security from the muddy waters.\"\n\nThe fact that they set fire to the ship, said Capt. Somerville, proves the treacherous nature of the gang of pirates that make it their business to molest ships on this particular run. Finding the heroic defence of those on the bridge of the Tai On too great for them, from sheer desperation and lust for blood, they set fire to the vessel, caring not for the loss of hundreds of lives - the lives of fellow countrymen - so long as they avenged themselves on the sturdy and stalwart defenders of the Tai On's commanding quarters.\n\nA peculiar feature of the affair is that not a junk or a sampan was seen alongside the Tai On during the whole of the night, and the only other craft that got near her was the rescue party.\n\nIt is quite probable, however, that when the ship was fired, the smoke would obscure the movements of craft about the stern of the vessel. The Captain did turn the ship round so that the flames would be carried from the ship by the wind instead of onto it. It is believed by those on board that many of the pirates mixed among the passengers in the disorder that followed, and in that case, many have either perished or have been rescued with the passengers. The authorities are inquiring into the matter, however, and no doubt their investigations will lead to a better understanding as to how the pirates escaped.\n\nThose who have first-hand information of the occurrence tell the most glowing stories of the gallantry of the guard on the Tai On, who did so much courageous work during the fighting between the pirates and the ship's officers. Twice the pirates suffered reverse, and it was not until they found the fire from the officers so fatal to their numbers that they determined to set fire to the ship. The Captain of the Tai On had but a shotgun with which to take up his stand, but this he did, gallantly assisted to a man by his loyal assistants. In one case, a pirate received a full charge of small shot in the chest at a few yards' range, and terrible injuries were inflicted.\n\nThe two Portuguese watchmen on board the Tai On are named Dias and Leocadie Jorge da Silva. The former was a soldier in Macao for a time and from there went to Shanghai, later returning to Hongkong. The latter is a young man with a wife and mother in Hongkong.\n\n## Page 472\n\n# HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SUPPLEMENT",
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    {
        "id": 452642,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914",
        "page_number": 488,
        "title": "CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914",
        "content_text": "# HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SUPPLEMENT\n\n## GSA SUPPLEMENT 476\n\nHow long would that be from the time they commenced?—About twenty minutes.\n\nAfter they had been firing for twenty minutes the fire slackened?—The fire slackened up.\n\nAnd then after the firing ceased?—They had stopped the electric light.\n\nThey stopped the dynamo while they were firing?—While they were firing.\n\nAnd about five minutes after the firing ceased they set fire to the ship?—Yes. The chief engineer had a blue light out on the bridge after he had lit the lamp in my room.\n\nThen you brought the ammunition out and laid it on the bridge?—Yes, some of it.\n\nHow did you first become aware of the fire?—Seeing the flames coming through a skylight just before the funnel.\n\nAt that time the firing had all ceased?—Yes.\n\nThere was still noise going on?—Yes, shouting.\n\nThe flames spread?—Well, the flames did not come right away, you could see the glare in three places.\n\nThey seemed to have lit her in more than one place?—Yes.\n\nThen the fire spread?—I unlocked the grilles to let the mate and Chief engineer get their life belts.\n\nDid they get them?—Chief engineer got his.\n\nDid the mate?—No. Why not?—I don't know, there was one in his room.\n\nWitness said they threw the wooden covers of the boats overboard to give people something to cling to.\n\nThey got them off with an axe which they used to cut the lashings.\n\nWhy were you throwing them overboard?—It was swarming with people in the water.\n\nThey had commenced to jump overboard?—They started some time before.\n\nDid you see any junks or sampans about?—No; none at all.\n\nHad you received any reply to your signals of distress?—None whatever. While I was signalling I saw the stern lights of a steamer.\n\nWas the ship on fire then?—No.\n\nWas there firing from aft?—Yes; every chance I got I sent up rockets.\n\nHow far off was the steamer then?—About a couple of miles on the port hand.\n\nThen she must have been on the mud?—No sir.\n\nIf she was on your port hand she was close in shore?—No, sir. You think it was a ship bound for Macao?—It must have been.\n\nWitness continued that he tried to get one of the rafts over the side but the flames were too strong.\n\nThe flames drove you forward?—We remained forward for a minute and then went below.\n\nOver the fore part of the bridge?—Yes.\n\nBy that time was your cabin on fire?—Yes. At that time I found more crew forward. They were on the forecastle.\n\nAny passengers?—Oh, passengers and crew.\n\nThe flames were going forward I suppose.—I dropped the starboard anchor and she swung head to wind.\n\nYou could not remain there very much longer?—It gave us half an hour quite when she came round to the wind.\n\nThere was quite a breeze then, wasn't there?—Moderate.\n\nFinally you all had to jump?—Yes sir, I suppose after the anchor was down about half a hour.\n\nThere were three ships prepared to pick you up; had any of them arrived?—We were so confused, we were talking about the Lintan passing.\n\nThat was after you left the bridge?—No, a long time before.\n\nYou did not see the Lintan; who did?—The chief engineer and the mate; I may have seen her myself but I can't remember. She did not come to you, to your knowledge, and communicate with you?—No, sir.\n\nFinally you had to jump for it and you were picked up?—By a boat of the Wo Kwai, a Chinese boat.\n\nBefore you jumped did you see any boats?—Yes, before we went on the lower deck.\n\nHow many; do you remember?—Three.\n\nAbout how far off would you say the nearest one was?—About half to three quarters of a mile.\n\nYou did not remain on board the Wo Kwai?—I went on board the Wo Kwai and asked the master to put me on board a Hongkong steamer.\n\nWhich one was that?—The Hoi-sang.\n\nWhat was the last you saw of the mate?—Before we got on the guard he was frightened of the rockets going off and he said \"I'm off\" and jumped.\n\nHe had no life belt?—No. What had he got?—A boat's oar. He was fully dressed?—Yes. And that was the last you saw of him?—Yes.\n\nHow long after he jumped did you go; was he the first to go?—Yes.\n\nWho was the last to go?—I was.\n\nHow long after did you go?—About two or three minutes after; the engineer went first and I followed. We went down from the guard.\n\nWas that where Evans went from?—No; he went from the fo'csle head.\n\nHe jumped clear; he did not strike anything?—No, sir.\n\nCould you say whether he kicked his shoes off before he went?—I could not say. I don't know if he had them on.\n\nWhen you jumped how far were the flames from you?—They were coming up the forecastle scuttle.\n\nShe was alight right up to the bows?—Yes, the deck was opening and blisters were raised on the paint.\n\nDid any of the pirates get between the two grilles?—No, sir.\n\nIn answer to Capt Evans witness said that the grilles were locked by means of a pair of handcuffs cut in two, because they could easily be snapped to. The key hung in his room.\n\nReferring again to the On Lee witness said he did not see her after leaving the harbour. She always got to Wangmoon about fifteen minutes ahead of him.\n\n## Albert L Prince, chief engineer of the Hoi-sang\n\nDid you see any rockets going up?—Yes, from the Tai On, just when we arrived.\n\nWhen you arrived where?—Where the Tai On was.\n\nWas she on fire then?—Yes, forward and aft.\n\nWhen you first saw her?—Yes. Did you hear any firing going on?—No, sir.\n\nYou went up close to her?—We went as close as we could.\n\nHow far?—It is difficult to say. It was dark; we went closer in than the other two boats.\n\nWere the other boats there before you?—Yes, the Shun Lee and Shui On.\n\nCould you see whether the Tai On was at anchor?—No, she appeared to be moving, if anything.\n\nWere your boats lowered?—Yes.\n\nDid you assist in getting the boats out?—Yes.\n\nWas there any difficulty in getting crews to man the boats?—I understand the captain to say that there was some difficulty with the pilot.\n\nWas there any difficulty in getting crews to man the boats and get them out?—Not that I heard of.\n\nDid you hear of any difficulty between the master and pilot about going close to the Tai On?—No.\n\nWere there any junks and sampans about?—In the distance there were some.\n\nWere they near enough to pick up people in the water?—Some of them might have been able to.\n\nWere any of the lights of the native craft between you and the Tai On?—Yes. You could have seen the lights flicker.\n\nThey couldn't have been bits of burning wreckage?—I should not have thought so.\n\nInspector Gordon said that Capt. Wetherell threw lights overboard to float in the water, and witness might have mistaken these for sampan lights. There were also fish stakes in the vicinity and they also carried lights.\n\n## Mr. J. McCartney, chief engineer on the Tai On\n\nHe was sitting in front of the foremost grille when the trouble commenced. The first warning he had was a rush from starboard side and yelling and shooting. As he rose from his chair a man rushed to the centre of the bridge and fired at him. The mate was on the starboard side. Witness was hit in the right hip. When witness was shot he fell and his assailant tumbled over the top of him in the dark. As he got up the man held him by the wrist. They both retreated to near the wheel house and the pirate threatened witness with a revolver at his head. While this was going on other men endeavoured to climb on to the bridge.\n\nThe captain then came out and put his sporting gun past the witness's face to the chest of the man who was holding him.\n\nAnd killed him?—Killed him; he fell.\n\nWere you badly hurt?—Badly at the time. I told the captain not to shoot again as I was the chief engineer.\n\nAre you better now?—Yes, I am a bit stiff.\n\nThe Captain took him into his cabin where he lay on the floor. He was unable to stand and he kept loading guns and revolvers all the time.\n\nHow long did you remain in the cabin?—I could not say, but when the lights went out I took the cartridges out and placed them on the rocket box. I had to feel for the various sizes.\n\nThen you went on leading?—Yes.\n\nDid you see any ship pass the Tai On?—Yes.\n\nWhen?—After we started the blue light.\n\nWas there still firing?—The pirates were firing.\n\nAnd the master and mate were firing?—Yes, and when there was a lull in the fire the master fired rockets.\n\nYou say a ship passed up; about how far was she from you?—I have not much idea. She could not be very far away because you have to pass up the channel.\n\nWhat did you actually see of the ship?—I saw the passengers and crew of the ship leaning over the rails looking at us.\n\nYou saw all her lights?—Yes. And on which side of you did she pass?—The starboard side. The captain and I were on the starboard side and the mate was on the port side.\n\nFiring was still going on at the time?—Firing was going on below at the time.\n\nBut the ship had not caught fire?—Just immediately after the ship passed we were caught on fire.\n\nCould you tell what ship it was?—The captain asked which ship it was.\n\nYou recognised her?—Yes. You recognised her as what?—I knew her at once.\n\nRecognised her to be what ship?—The Lintan.\n\nDid she hail you in any way?—She took no notice.\n\nDid not stop but went straight on?—Yes.\n\nDo you think the Lintan was sufficiently close to hear the shots?—Yes, and the rockets were bursting right above her.\n\nDid you see anything of the On Lee?—We saw her all the way up. How far away?—About 15 minutes, from Wangmoon.\n\nWas she in sight when you began to fire rockets?—Yes.\n\nWhere did she pass you?—By Wangmoon light before we got to Capsaimun Pass.\n\nDo you think the On Lee was near enough to have heard the firing?—Not to have heard the firing; but she might have seen the rockets.",
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        "id": 460313,
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        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2]",
        "page_number": 446,
        "title": "CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2]",
        "content_text": "Page 20\n\nForeign Office to China Association,\n\nForeign Office,\n\nJune 11th, 1914.\n\nSIR,\n\nI am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to inform you that a copy of your letter of the 3rd instant, on the subject of piracy in Southern Chinese waters, has been forwarded to His Majesty's Minister at Peking.\n\nThe Chairman,\n\nChina Association,\n\n159, Cannon Street, E.C.\n\nI am, &c.,\n\n(Signed) W. LANGLEY.\n\nJAPANESE PREFERENCE IN MANCHURIA,\n\nForeign Office to China Association.\n\nForeign Office,\n\nNovember 2nd, 1914.\n\nWith reference to the letter from this office of the 11th June last, regarding the suppression of piracy in Southern Chinese waters, I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to inform you that a despatch has been received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking forwarding a report by His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton on the measures taken by the Chinese authorities, in the absence of foreign war vessels, to maintain order.\n\nMr. Jamieson states that the general outline of the arrangements is as follows:-\n\n1. Between Lintin and Wangmoon (open waters) the Haishin relief ship \"Kuanghai,\" an armed transport, and two ocean-going destroyers.\n\n2. A military post of one hundred and twenty men, to be stationed on shore in proximity to what the Intelligence Department have discovered to be pirate lairs and to co-operate with the Navy.\n\n3. Between Wangmoon and Kongmoon a large destroyer and subsidiary craft for patrol duty.\n\n4. Various subsidiary craft for the delta and East and North Rivers.\n\nThe total number of vessels to be employed on the inland waters is seventy-two; many of these, however, will first have to be overhauled and repaired.\n\nThere are indications of a local rising on the Lien River, an affluent of the North River, and troops have been despatched to deal with it.\n\nA special contingent of police one hundred and twenty men has been detailed to prevent any movement against Shameen.\n\nThe Secretary,\n\nChina Association.\n\nI am, &c.,\n\n(Signed) W. LANGLEY.\n\nDEAR SIR,\n\nNewchwang,\n\n27th March, 1914.\n\nWith reference to your official letter of 25/11/10, re smuggling of goods into Manchuria via Japanese South Manchuria Railway through the Kwantung Leased Territory, and my reply of 23/1/11, I enclose copy of the Manchuria Daily News of 24th instant which contains an article on page 2, column 4, embodying information which, if correct, is rather interesting.\n\nH. C. Wilcox, Esq.,\n\nYours, &c.,\n\n(Signed)\n\nSecretary, China Association, London.\n\nPROPOSED LIMITATION OF FREE PORT ZONE AT DAIREN.\n\nExtract from The Manchuria Daily News, 24th March, 1914.\n\nThe proposed limitation of the free port zone at Dairen, against which the Daizen residents seem united, will have no concern with goods destined to points outside the Kwantung Leased Territory, since they are now being taxed. The same thing may be said of the transhipment trade. For, part of the Dairen Wharf compound is to be set aside as the free port zone, and cargoes discharged on this zone are exempted from duties. They may be re-exported to Tientsin, or any Shantung port duty free.\n\nA difference will come in\n\nPage 443",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2].txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 497592,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7]",
        "page_number": 278,
        "title": "CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7]",
        "content_text": "268\n\nThe Captain was called out, disarmed, and compelled to open his own cabin and the guards' room, from which all firearms were then taken, as the pirates were armed with revolvers and automatic pistols. Some firing took place while this was going on with a view to terrifying the passengers, but there were no casualties. Having gained command, the pirates directed the ship towards Bias Bay, ransacked officers' and passengers' cabins, and opened up the holds to secure the cargo. There was no bullion on board. On arrival at Bias Bay about 4 a.m. on the morning of the 28th, the pirates went ashore in the ship's boats, which they had compelled the crew to man. Large quantities of loot from the cargo were taken off in junks. It is estimated that there were about 56 pirates, of whom seven travelled in the First Class, nine in the Second, and the remainder in the Third Class. One pirate was recognised as having made the journey several times in the First Class Saloon.\n\n4.\n\nBias Bay, where the pirates disembarked, has long been known as a haunt of pirates, who belong to villages a short distance inland. The S.S. \"Sui An\", which was pirated on the 19th November, 1922, when on a voyage from Macao, was taken to Bias Bay by the pirates who left her there. Attempts have been made on several occasions to induce the Chinese Authorities to send an expedition against the villages in question, but this has proved impossible as the de facto Government at Canton has been unable to exercise control in this area, which comes within the sphere of influence of Chan Kwing Ming.\n\nB.\n\nThe piracy of the S.S. \"Tai Lee\" took place on the 21st January, 1924. The vessel plies between this Colony and Kongmoon. A call was made about 11 p.m. at Wangmoon, where, however, no passengers are permitted to embark. At about 12:20 a.m., the Chief Officer went to the bridge to relieve the Master, but the latter had temporarily left there, and on his approaching the bridge again, he was shot.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7].txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 517182,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-513-6 Hong Kong water supply- schemes for development and improvement 25-1-1929 - 2-8-1929",
        "page_number": 35,
        "title": "CO129-513-6 Hong Kong water supply- schemes for development and improvement 25-1-1929 - 2-8-1929",
        "content_text": "The Tytam Tuk pumps are much too large to deal satisfactorily with small quantities. For example, it would take 500 tons of water to charge one rising main from Tytam Tuk to the tunnel entrance and 1,000 tons to charge the Tytam tunnel. It is considered that 5,000 tons a day, say, 1 million gallons, is the minimum quantity with which it is practicable to work. This could only be supplied by a regular service of coasters or lighters, and by any occasional tankers obtainable on trip charter.\n\nIn anticipation of the possibility of such regular supplies being made available, a tank of 100,000 gallons capacity, capable of containing nearly an hour's supply for one pump, is being constructed, and before it is completed the necessary mooring accommodation, piping, etc., could be in position.\n\nThis scheme could be in working order early in August and if it materialises it would appear unnecessary to proceed further with other schemes for pumping direct into Albany or Elliot Filter Beds at greater cost.\n\n## Emergency Measures\n\nThe following is a brief summary showing the progress made in regard to emergency measures:\n\n| Description | Details |\n| --- | --- |\n| Number of lighters requisitioned | 18, having a total tonnage of 1,950 tons |\n| Water boats engaged | 8, having a tonnage of about 1,500 tons |\n| \"Fu Kwong\" Tanker capacity | 1,100 tons of water from Wangmoon, 2 trips every 3 days |\n| Supply from \"Fu Kwong\", Admiralty Tug Cherub, and steamers Paul Beau and Charles Hardouin | 1,500 tons daily |\n| Quantity of water from steamers in transit | Approaching 750 tons a day |\n| Nullahs to be supplied with equipment | 24 |\n| Well supplies being treated | 9 |\n\nThe Wangmoon scheme originally proposed is being re-considered by the Shipping Sub-Committee who are considering alternative proposals to overcome the difficulties which would be experienced with small craft during bad weather conditions. Coasters have been suggested to take the place of Water Boats, Lighters, and tugs. Their introduction will necessitate obtaining water from higher up the Canton delta as the draught of vessels going to Wangmoon cannot exceed 10 feet. The Shipping Sub-Committee will doubtless deal with this matter in their report.\n\nI should like to take this opportunity of acknowledging and thanking the Shipping Sub-Committee in particular, and the Emergency Committee in general, for their kind and valuable assistance.\n\n33",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-513-6 Hong Kong water supply- schemes for development and improvement 25-1-1929 - 2-8-1929.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 519325,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929",
        "page_number": 117,
        "title": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929",
        "content_text": "# \n- 24 \n\ndetention.\n\nHis Excellency:\n\nIf a vessel goes from here to Wangmoon, she must at present go out of her way to call at Lintin. This delay would be avoided by having stations on the outskirts of the Colony.\n\nMr. Maze: If you could define restricted anchorages, our boats would visit the junks there and they would not be detained more than 10 minutes.\n\nMr. Lloyd: Restrict the payment of duties to Sub-Offices in the harbour?\n\nMr. Maze: We think it would facilitate matters if the limits of anchorage could be definitely restricted.\n\nCommander Hole: The word \"launch\" is used - is it to be limited to that?\n\nMr. Maze: That is the point I raised long ago, some West River launches would anywhere else be called steamers.\n\nHis Excellency: I think that in Article V, instead of \"launch\", we should have the words \"steam or motor vessels\".\n\nCommander Hole: Another point is that a tremendous lot of these craft do not carry cargo themselves,\n\n## \n120",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 561140,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939",
        "page_number": 139,
        "title": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939",
        "content_text": "## 139\n\nfor the present while the \"Robin\" proceeded to Canton.\n\n3. He then translated from a written message part which would be sent tomorrow morning to Senior Consul. Message was as follows:\n\nCommander-in-Chief Japanese South China Fleet thanked British Commander-in-Chief for message conveyed through British Consul General in China. That Japanese Navy however must maintain precedent made in Yangtse regarding passage booms opened or constructed by the Japanese Navy. That is:\n\n(1) Japanese cannot consent to passage by third Power vessels through these barriers without their previous agreement.\n\n(2) Japanese Navy had closed in self-defence eastern exits from Saiwan channel and Wangmoon.\n\n(3) These booms were for the purpose of obstructing navigation but Japanese Navy was prepared to give favourable consideration to the passage of third Power ships. For, when third Power ships navigate these waterways under the above-mentioned conditions, they would do so at their own risk.\n\n4. In reply to enquiries he informed us that:\n\n(a) Above applied to old Pearl River boom as well as to booms mentioned above;\n\n(b) While at present ruling applied to warships, later on application to them might become mere formality;\n\n(c) Later on merchant vessels might be permitted passage. A difficulty was arrangement about Customs;\n\n(d) He could still give no date when warships might move by simple notice but implied that it would be by November 10th at the latest.\n\n[End of \"R\".]\n\n5. ...",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    }
]