1926-01-05 — Page 4

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5TH, 1926

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ENQUIRY INTO TUNGCHOW PIRACY.·

CHIEF OFFICER'S THRILLING NARRATIVE.

PIRATES SECOND-IN-COMMAND AN OLD BOY TROM

QUEEN'S - COLLEGE.

OFFICERS AND PASSENGERS FEARFUL OF ATTEMPTS AT RESCUE.

WIRELESS A DOUBTFUL SAFEGUARD.

Acting under the powers conferred by Section 450 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1801, Captain J. C. Hamilton, R.N., of H.MS. Durban, on December 20th con- Feged at Shanghai a Naval Court of Enquiry to investigate the circumstances of the piracy of the China Navigation Co.'s 5.3. Tungchose and to enquire into the conduct of her Master and officers on that occasion.

The Court consisted of Mr. J. F.

Brenan, of H.M. Consulate (President), Lient-Commander E. M. Stack, R.,rand Capt. J. S. Masson, of the sa Fatsking, Mr. R. N. Macleod appeared on behalf of the owners and Mr. Ronald G. Mc Donald on behalf of the Master and officers, instructed by the China Coast Officers' Guild and the Marine Engineers' Guild.

were,

Mr. H. G. W. Woodhead said that he sailed on the Tungchow on Thursday, December 17th. The following evening, about 8.15 p.m. his cabin steward sidled into his cabin, shut and locked the door, put out the lights, closed the porthole and crept under the bunk, saying there bad men on deck. Witness heard scurrying, overhead. After a few minutes he went to the saloon, where other passengers told him the ship had been pirated. Shortly afterwards the Chiel Officer was pushed in by two pirates armed with revolvers and one also car ried a nasty-looking chopper. The Chief Officer said:"I am sorry, gentlemen, but we are bound for Hongkong. The Captain has been shot and I can't do anything. He was taken away, still covered by the pirates revolvers. More pirates came in, and in broken English and by signs intimated that the passen gers need not be frightened. They point ed to witness's ring and aid they would

not even take these.

him.

%

Witness. broke off to ask if the court desired to hear the full details of his story. It would take some time and it had all appeared in his article in the NC. Daily News.

The President: No, I don't think so. You did not see the shooting 1.

Witness: No. I know the captain was wounded and he was delirious. Some of the passengers took watches to stay with

THREAT TO PASSENGERS. - Mr. Woodhead continued that they sigbied several ships on the way down One he thought was a big Dutch ship The pirates immediately started loading their rifles. They did not at that time threaten the passengers, but they had pre- viously intimated that if there was an atterapt at rescue "we should be finished off fret." The Fanychum got to Bias Bay on December 22nd, but witness saw little of what happened there because the Chief Oficer had asked passengers to go below and told some of the men to sit. with the ladies. They were at anchor in the hay for 45 minutes. Witness was told there were 25 pirates on the ship, but he never saw more than 15 or 18 and he would recognize all these again. He did not go below, but understood there were others with the Chinese passengers. Three seemed to share the leadership. One apparently was the principal inter- preter and always was sent for when there was trouble on the bridge with the Chief Offcer.

i

THE CAPTAIN'S WILL,

W13

WIRELESS USELESS,

Lieut. Comdr. Stack: A-Chief Officer, hars you any concern with the passen- gers ?-Practically none. In the case of the Twangchow it was usually the Captain”

was told to remain in his room, er he : would be shot,, and a. guard was left out- side. Shortly afterwards, the Second Enginger came with a message that the Captam had been shot, there was no one at the wheel and witnesa was to go to the bridge. Witness went to the wheel house and found the Captain wounded and the Third Engineer at the wheel I was the Second Officer's watch; he was not on the bridge. Witness took, the wheel and put the ship. back on her course, but two minuter later two pirates came up and ordered. him to set a course orders for the number of Chinese" pas- for Hongkong. threatening to shoot him sengers on board?--I presume the com if he disobeyed. "He turned the ship

€

who saw to their comfort. The compra- dore looks after the Chinese passengers, except that I look after the general sanitation of the ship.

Who is responsible by the company's

about, with the pirates watching the compradore is, as I understand the ship is pass They repeatedly warned him leased out to him. I am not quite sure. the ship going properly. At his request against any fool pidgin" and to keep Is there a limit laid down -I am not a quartermaster was sent up, as a look quite sure of that. Very possibly there out was necessary.

is, for the safety of the ship as regards lifebelts, etc.

The Captain asked witness to write his will for him. He was able to sign it. Witness remained with the Captain until

p.m. when he

The Captain had been taken to his own escorted to the cabin and when witness got a relief he ergine-room and told to take over from went under escort to the medicine chest the Second Engineer. There was an arm for some bandages, etc., which he gave ed pirate at the head of the ladder and to the Second Engineer. The Captain another at the foot and guards were main was conscious but was in a dazed condi. tained in the engine-room for the rest of tion. Engineer took watch about down to Hong-tained was No. 2 of the gang that either the voyage. Witness and the Second Witness told the man who he ascer. kong as the Third Engineer was looking the Second Officer or himself must be on after the Captain. The next day the the bridge and thereafter they took watch pirates asked for all the kerosene on the and watch with three armed pirates con ship and said they intended to fire the tinuously on guard. ship. They had previously been informed AN OLD QUEEN'S COLLEGE BOY. that there was not enough coal to take the ship to Hongkong. They said rice were there?

The President: How many pirates must be burned, but as there was no rice in the cargo they said beans must be 16 in the saloon. I knew there were three Witness: On one occasion I counted used. By mixing beans with coal they more on the bridge, I presumed at least managed to keep the engines going. Wit-one in the engine room and the compra neas frequently was told that if any at- tempt were made at rescue or if the doce had told me there were always some engines were stopped, all the passengers, hold.

with the Chinese passengers and in the including two babies, would makee die. From their attitude when the Dutch ship I had a faint idea I recognized the No

Could you recognize any as sailors was sighted he thought they had every 2 as a fireman on a ship I had been in intention of carrying out the threat.

The ship's Chinese crew. worked well. He told me he had been to Queen's They were panicky at the start but did College, Hongkong. He was about 30 not show signs of collusion with the ed face and gold teeth. The head pirate years old, small, stout, with a pock-mark- pirates and after awhile they worked could not speak English. just as usual, though they were afraid to leave the engine, room and go forward. In Bins Bay the ship was stopped 13 or miles from the shore. There were sam- pans lying on the beach, but the ship did not seem to he expected, Sampaas came off to the ship and the pirates transferred their loot and went off.

that certainly she great majority of the Answering Mr. McDonald, witness said

the armas seized on the Tangchow. pirates had automatic pistols apart from

Witness said that when he spoke about the coal shortage the pirates were very surprised. They had a very hazy idea as to where Hongkong was situated. They seemed to think it was between Shanghai and Tientsin.

All the officers and crew discharged

the ladies, who were cheerful all the time: their duties to the best of their mallity, The passengers were wonderful, especially The Third Engineer attended to the Captain on the first night, when he was ALWAYS UNDER GUARD. A little restless and after that Mr. and Mr. A. Knowles, the Second Engineer, Mrs. Emmott dressed his yound. said he was in the mess-room when the

Witness went to conference with the first alarm was given and going outside No. 1 and 2 pirates and the compradore he saw about a dozen Chinese rushing regarding the coal shortage, and appar along the deck flourishing revolvers and ently they agreed to his suggestion that knives. They seized witness and took him he should transfer them to a fishing beat to the Chief Engineer's cabin. He nd- off the Saddles. They went through the vised the Chief Engineer to give in. ship on the second day and plundered the the Second Officer's watch but there was they neared the place where witness pro- They were taken to the bridge. It was strong room of its cargo of silver. As no one on the bridge at that time, so posed to tranship them, they ordered him witness took the wheel. He advised the to go further out, again with threats to pirates to put the Chief Officer on the shoot. He replied: "If you shoot me bridge and they sent him under guard to you no can catch Hongkong." deliver the message. He found the Chief Witness continued; Oficer in his cabin, guarded by seven armed pirates, who would not let him leave. Witness then, went to the engine room and as no one was in charge there he stayed on until satisfied the engines were in order. The pirates then took him out to get his weapons and after that sent him back to keep a watch in the engine-room.

Answering Lt.-Comdr. Stack, witness

So they dropped

Had your ship got a wireless set?—No. Do you think that a wireless set and

a continuous watch by trustworthy ope

rators would have been of assistance -

supposing we had wireless and had sent In the peculiar circumstances of this case,

a call for assistance, probably if a war- ship had approached there would have been a general massacre, for the pirates had said that if any of them died all of us would have died. As it was I think it was best for all of us. I believe they would bave carried out their threat. There might have been a certain amount of bluff, bat it is very difficult to distinguish between bluff and earnest in such cir cumstances.

They must have thought it all out be- installed it might have forestalled this?

Do you think that if wireless had been "

fore. They might have said it would not be too safe if she band wireless, but at would capture the wireless house in the the same time they might have said they same manner as the rest of the ship.

THE DIFFICULTY OF SEARCH. The President: Is there any sugges tion you can make with regard to ang thing that might be done to prevent n repetition - think searching the pas sengers is out of the question because from the French Bund anyode can get on board Then the automatic pistols these fellows had can be carried in the

palm of the hand and easily hidden.

I don't see why it is not possible to search them. What is the difficulty- Well, perhaps it is possible, but we are working these ships on both sides up to the last minute. From the construction or these ships it would require very drastic alterations to make them as pirate proof as the average coasting stenter.

The pirates were out for your silver -

it would be best not to carry Chinese. Yes, and as a matter of fact they mis took the ship. If a ship carries bullion

passengers.

4

On the journey down, was there any discussion as to recapturing the ship?. it and ordered me to go to Swatow and some plane. One suggested overturning Yes, two of the passengers thought out to keep clear of all ships as, if any ship one of the Fyreno fire extinguishers with came to our assistance, the officers and the idea of suffocating the pirates. The passengers would be shot. "We passed the other suggested catching them asleep but Dutch ship Oldekerk about a mile off but they never seemed to be asleep. i diu it was impossible to signal. others were passed a long way out."

Several some pretty hard thinking myself but "could not find any feasible plan.

THREAT TO BURN SHIP..

said that after the capture the officers sorts of orders, he persuaded the No. 2 to had becu worrying him by giving him all After a while, as some of the piratea all messed in the saloon. He did not keep the others quiet while he was handl

ALL CANTON MEN

the time of the piracy. He was standing said he was on watch on the bridge at Mr. George S. Scott, the Second Offert,

by the comprea when he heard two shota

know whether plans for regaining possesing the ship. On the 20th witness was on the bridge. He saw two men with sion of the ship were discussed. were constantly under armed guards They told to make for Bias Bay. They then pistols grappling with the look-out man

wroom.

that the piracy was to have taken place Witness was told by one of the pirates

to them at the time. at 6 a.m. but another, ship was too close-

were burning white beans and on the and he ran towards the Captain's cabin FORCED TO WORK THE SHIP: - afternoon of the 22nd he told the pirates with the intention of getting a pistol, Mr. C. A. Bickford, the Third Engineer, he was doubtful whether he could get but two mors armed pirates tripped him said that he was in charge in the engine- oven to Bias Bay. The answer was up and kept him covered while they He saw six Chinese coming down" You no catch Bias Bay you makes die marched him off to get his weapons. * TESTIMONIAL TO OFFICERS.

the ladder, all armed with pistois and one and we burn ship." However, there was Eventually witness was put on to take carrying a large dagger. They rushed at another change and an order was given watches in turns with the Chief Officer Witness in the course of further evi hits, but he evaded them, and went to make Samchau Inlet. Halfway across on the bridge, Witnes heard similar dence produced the testimonial which the through the stokehold up to the bridge. Honghai Bay they told witness to leave threats to those mentioned by other wit- passengers presented to the officers within Witness was unarmed. No arms were the bridge and put a Chinese in charge. ncases, an hour of dropping anchor in Hongkong kept in the engine-rooin. and said it was signed by all the first fireman was the only man with witness ship had been taken too close in and was The No. After a while witness complained that the class passengers, including one Chinese. at the time; he followed witness, but the too near some sunken rocks. In conse- (The testimonial has been already publish- two men the stokehold remained below. quence be was reinstated and took the ed in the Hongkong Daily Press.) At the entrance to the wheel-house wit- ahip to Sarichas, where they again

Answering Mr. Macleod,, witness said ness was tripped up by a pirate and changed their minds, deciding on Biss The head steward said some pirates they sighted several other ships. The ordered to take the wheel. He said he Bay once more: most heatic time was when passing the did not

Off Fokai Point the came to the pantry and told the boys Stukiang in Bias Bay. There was always tain called for help and witness assisted appeared to alter her course towards the terfered with. They ordered witness to

Savvy" the wheel. The Cap-company str. Siakiang was sighted and to keep quiet and they would not be in an alarm when a ship was sighted. The bim into his cabin. After this witness Tungchoy. No. 2 pirate ordered provide food for them and allowed him Slukiang signalled to them.

was forced to hand over his weapons and change in the course between Mendoza to attend to the passengers The pirates Further questioned as to the pirates' ammunition. For two days after the Island and Tsingku Rock. The Sinkiang were all Canton men. They had all attitude when ships were sighted, witness piracy, witness was left in attendance on said they gathered in

came practically abreast a quarter mile travelled third class. the saloon with the Captaip. their rifles trained outwards. He pro

off, and ran up her ensign. Witness re plied, ho did not wish any ship to think sumed they wanted to put up a defence

there was anything wrong and approach without being seen on deck, and calso

to investigate. At the time half-a-dozen wished to keep an eye on the passengers.. They also brought fins of kerosene into

pirates were threatening witness and the Second Officer, the saloon.

Capt. Masson: When the pirates first came down to the engine room, if you had been armed, could you have stopped them?

Witness: Impossible, there were too

маду.

Mr. Macleod: Why did you go to the. bridge.}

Witness: It was the nearest place could think of where I could get a gun. CHINESE CREW THREATENED. The No. 1:Chinese fireman said that the pirates threatened the Chinese crew that if they did not continue with their usual work they would be shot. This witness and also the No. 2 said the pirates could not be distinguished outwardly from the average run of passengers, They showed some knowledge of a ship's engine room. NO" FOOL PIDGIN"

THE LOOT

pirates did not trouble the crew, at all A Chinese quarter-master said that the and did not rob them The enquiry was Daily News, SHIPPING CLERK'S EVIDENCE.

adjourned.

CHIEF ENGINEER'S EVIDENCE. Mr. John Johnson, Chiel Engineer, said. that he was in his cabin when he heard shouting and someone calling him. He opened the door and saw five or six Chinese with rifles, and one of them fired. Witness tried to get his rifle down, but heard the Second Engineer outside say ing:-"Come out, Chief. Don't resist On that ho went out, was seized by two Chinese armed with automatics and marched to the bridge. To get into the wheel-house he bad to step over the Cap tain's body The Second Engineer was marched up with witness. The pirates would not let witness attend to the Cap- Mr. John R. Nisbet, the Chief Officer, tain. The wheel was unattended pad said that he was having dinner in the there was no one on the bridge The engineers, mess room when he heard about her at first. The pirates made the could board the ships without using the pirates, demanded witness's guns, but he great commotion on deck. He and the ailors put the loot into the sampane gangways. insisted on first being allowed to attend Second Engineer started for the deck and They took six boxes of silver dollars, to the Captain, which they conceded Ho simultaneously heard a shot had been shot in the groin

The Tungchow was turned and stopped Mr. D. M. Whamond, chief shipping about noon, this being witness's idea so native passenger accommodation in the on the western side of Taingku Rock Clerk in the China Navigation Co., salu that the Sinkiang would not see them ships was leased, to the compradores on heading for Bias Bay and think there contract, Passengers could buy tickets. was something wrong. He had only been either on the ship or at certain recognized through there once and did not think it places on shore. No record was kept of was the usual course for ships to take the names of Chinese buying these Eventually the Tungchow dropped anchor tickets. There were no books by which miles north of Bate Island in 2 they could be traced, except possibly fathoms of water and three-quarters of Chinese hotels might be able to identify mile off shore. In answer to signals by any purchasing tickets from them. The the pirates, men came running from a company's inspectors looked over the village and some sampane came along Chinese passengers before sailing, but side, also They did not appear to be expecting that a search was feasible, owing to the con- fairly large fishing boat. they were not searched. He did not think. ship and in fact seemed rather doubtful ditions of loadingbere. Passengers

On deck several bales of piece goods, some empty Witness could not suggest any better witness saw nine or ten Chinese outside wine, cigar and orange casco and 150 Preventive measure than that put for The pirates then made witness hand the Chief Engineer's door, all carrying bags of white beans, besides what was ward by the Chief Officer that no ship over his ship's rifle and revolver, and the automatics, one, also having a lang deg taken from Chinese passengers. Foreign should carry bullion and Chinese passen ammunition. On being taken back to the ger and one a chopper. Witness and the passengers were not molested or robbed gers on the same trip. Since this piracy: bridge he found the Captain had crawled engineer immediately were surrounded. One Chinese amongst the foreigners was it been arranged that all British into his cabin and the Third Engineer whereupon they did the obvious thing" threatened and the pirates said they ships leaving for the north with. Chinese was at the wheel. The pirates also A demand was made for witness's wen- would take him ashore but they did not passengers shall anchor in the stream secured the Captain's rifle and revolver pons and after he had handed over his Immediately the pirates had left, wit below shipping after leaving the wharf and an automatic pistol which was his rifle and revolver they ransacked hisness took the ship on to Hongkong, where for an inspection by Customs officers. personal property

room, looking for other weapons He be reported the affair to the authorities.

(Continued on page )