1927-10-22 — Page 4

In between-

WOOLLIES

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Pall-overs with or without sleeves,

4

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$18.50, $19.50 ap to $42.60,"

Woollent Waistcoata.

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You are sure to find something to suit you in our large

selection.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22nd, 1927.

Mackintosh

MEN'S WEAR SPECIALISTS...

ALEXANDRA BUILDING.

Another

& Co.Ltd

DES VOEUX ROAD

Ꭺ Ꭱ Ꭲ

EXHIBITION

OF

CLOISONNÉE,

IVORY CARVINGS,

LAQUERED WARE,

etc., etc.

AT

MESSRS, KOMOR & KOMOR MR. MORI, the great Art Collector of Japan, arrived here to open an Exhibition of exquisite Art Pieces for TEN DAYS ONLY

AT

MESSES. KOMOR & KOMOR

ART & CURIO EXPERTS.

ST. GEORGE'S BUILDING, CHATEr' Boadi

An Inspection is Cordially Invited. There are many Articles, which will make Fine Christmas Presents for Priende at Home,

[107

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[ara, 15]

PIRATES TORTURE MEN AND WOMEN PASSENGERS

PIRATED SHIP GOES

DOWN.

41

OFFICERS OF THE IRENE TELL THEIR STORY.

HOW. THE 'IRENE" WAS RESCUED BY SUBMARINE "L.4."

THE NAVY THWARTS BIAS BAY GẦNG.

After being in flames since Thursday night the pirated China. Merchants' steamer Irene foundered yesterday. It was hoped earlier in the day that though the upper works were burned, the vessel might be saved. A warship was standing by at the time.

A very minister story of the behaviour of this particular "gang of Pirates to the Chinese passengers was told to our repre- sentative by several members of the Irene's erew. These in- fortunate people-men and women-were herded into the steerage where they were tortured by the use of fire and beating with hammers till they gave information with regard to their property and the prospects of extracting ransom

Seven of the rescued persons are under arrest but a careful comb-out of all brought ashore way reveal more who took part in the pirney,

The s.8. Irene, a coastal trade steamer of 1,343 tons, was on her way here from Shanghai but was captured at 8 a.m. on Wednesday by a gang of about twenty pirates. They were led by a man who spoke excellent English, was dressed in European fashion, and described hiraself to Captain "Johnsen, the master of the Trene, да a returned student from America. He was a civil spoken ruffian, by no means inconsiderate to the officers, but at the sathe time determined and ruthless.

The Irene was taken to Bias Bag, reaching the entrance to the piratical haunt, without incident at about 8 pm, on Thursday night.

Unfortunately for the gang H.M. Submarine L. was anchored in the vicinity. She challenged the ship, fired two shots across her bow and then sent a shot-not an explosive shell-into the engine room, smashing the main steam pipe and bringing the vessel to a stop.

Pandemonium broke out on board, pirates and passengers, of whom there were 157 Chinese, of all ages and classes, weeping and imploring the European officers to save them..

Fire broke out to add to the horror of the scene, but this was probably the deliberate work of the pirates, and a large number of persons flung themselves into the water.

The submarine went alongside, despite a number of revolver shots fired at her by the pirates and with the utmost coolness and bravery commenced rescued work, picking up those in the water- add taking a number off the burning vessel. The Z. had wireless- ed news of the incident to Hong Kong, and H.M.B. Delhi, which was in the district picked up the message and was soon on the scene and actively joining in the work of rescue. Other warships and police launches arrived later.

The aix European officers were all saved and 247 Chinese passengers and crew, out of 281 on board. Some of the missing are thought to be members of the pirate gang.

Below will be found the story.us related by the officers. Not unnaturally they were somewhat reluctant to say much, but, as" they sat in a group; in the King Edward Hotel they very kindly related their experiences, each in turn adding to the narrative.

The promptitude and decision shown by Lieutenant Halakan, R:A., the young tommander of the L., is worthy of the best traditions of the Navy, and the whole of the sea-faring community in the Far East is indebted to him and to the crew of his vessel for the drastic lesson taught to these pests of the sea..

WHAT THE

<2

IRENE'S" OFFICERS EXPERIENCED.

PIRATES COWED BY SHELLS.

THE "IRENE" GOES DOWN.

WHAT THE PIRATES -EX.

Continuing his story, the Captain related how he was taken to his cabin, which was searched for

I did not possess a revolver.” "weapons, " but," said the Captain,

The other officers were similarly searched.

It was on the Captain going up to the bridge that instructions were given that the course should bo set for Hong Kong

Guessing that Biss Bay was the pirates' objective the Captain put the question to them "Bias Bayt

PECTED TO FIND. Capt. Johnsen said that the pirate chief told him that they expected to find some silver bullion on board, and when told that the ship only carried a small consign- ment of general cargo, the brigand chief looked very much dismayed, Tacir loot, however, was not small, but unfortunately for them they were unable to carry anything away owing to the intervention of the sub- marine. Every passenger was well searched and the total haul must have been a satisfactory one for the pirates were in good humour after | they had gone through every packet The Officers were warned that and every piece of baggage. Else, they must keep wide berth of where a very different account of passing ships, this they did.. the pirates' conduct is given.]

*OFFICERS' HEROIC ACTION.

terror-

When the ship stopped passengers and crew alike, were in a state of panic and although the vessel was rapidly catching fire, the officers did their best, at very great por- sonal risk, to calm the stricken ones. Children were swarm ing around the officers thinking that they were able to save them. According to the Chief Officer, the sight was most pitiabla, Women were screaming at the tops of their voices, and the robbers had lost their morale, The booty which they had collected was thrown away and no Chinese on board could think of anything beyond his own safety. With their skins in danger the whole question of world- ly gain was entirely forgotten by the gang who had brought about the catastrophe.

LET EVERYONE DIE

"TOGETHER.

Capt. Johnsen said that beyond the fact that he had escaped with his life and that he had had no sleep for 48 hours, he had nothing more to say. When pressed further, he said he had been skipper of the Irene for the last ten years, and this was his first experience with pirates.

i

One of the pirates replied, 'in excellent English, No, no, bye and bye Bias Bay, now go Hong Kong way, '

On Wednesday & "President " liner was passed, presumably the President Jackson on the way to Shanghai.

On Thursday & Butterfeld and Swire steamer was passed, also a Jardine boat, and a German ship.

No signals were exchanged with any of them and they passed on their way with no knowledge that the Irene was in the hands of pirates...

GENEROUS TREATMENT.

TO OFFICERS.

All the officers' spoke very well of the behaviour of the pirates to wards them. They were not keep under surveillance as officers are in most piracies. They were allowed! the freedom of the ship, the Captain, and all the officers being permitted to come and go about their duties as they pleased, and in fact watches were kept as usual.

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pirates was that they told the officers that nothing of their per sonal property, would be interfored with or taken, and the leaders said that if the officers found anything had been taken they were to report it at once to them. All the piratës took were weapons, the other per- sonal belongings of the officers being left intact.

Further the officers, who ate their. Imeals in their rooms, while the The Chief pirate, he said, was a pirates used the saloon, were given Cantonese and spoke fluent Eng-presents of cigarettes, and altoge- lish. Ho was one of the three who ther treated as if honoured guests. had been arrested after being iden tified by the crew and passengers as having taken part in the attackt on the ship.

Asked how many pirates there were on board, an estimate of from 19 to 30 was given.

Could any of these speak Eng lish 1", "naked our reporter.

"Yes,"

replied öne

officer. About 4 or 5 of them could speak English fluently. The pirates were

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When asked as to how the ship eaught Are. Capt. Johnsen said that primarily the fire was caused by the shells, but at the same time be was inclined to believe that the dressed semi-foreign, and those Ports for the week coding October pirates had also set fire to other parts of the ship. He overheard one pirate saying in English that if they were to die, let everyone die together."

WITH THE PIRATES IN

CHARGE.

FRIENDLY WITH OFFICERS.

that spoke English assumed mand."

com-

The officers related that while they were treated generously the pirates robbed all the better class passengers, but left the poorer ones alone.

The pirates spoke the Hoklo dialect.

;

ROOM.

15th states

Plague, 1-death at Bombay. 1 death at Rangoon.

Cholera.

1 case at Basrah. 19-deaths at Calcutta.

1 death at Medras.

1-case at Singapore.

2 cases at Bangkok.

2 deaths at Shanghai.

-2 cases at Amoy, Small-pox.

2 deaths at Basrah.

3 cases at Bombay,

1 cases at Calcatta.

1 death at Calcutta.

ü

2 cases at Madras.

1. case at Negaratam.

2 cases at Tuticorin,

4 cases at Bandjermasin.

||

4 cases Samarinda.

4 deaths at Samarinda.......

rj

IN A STATE OF FRENZY.

By this time the pirates had work themselves into a frenzy. They appeared to be mad with fear and rage. The Chief Engineer had ~ been ordered out of the engine

WARSHIP PASSED. Everything passed quietly on the Later in the day, when the speed had been kept that the pirate Irene until Blas Bay was reached. officers had somewhat rested after hunt should be reached in dark- their harrowing and fatiguing ex-

news. On Thursday afternoon, o periences, another Daily Press re-warship, thought to be H.M.S. porter obtained on interview with Foxglove, was passed, the time then some of them, when he found them being about 4 pm. The warship having some well earned refresh ran up the signal. "E.C., but ment in the lounge of the is beyond running up the number of Edward Hotel.

the Irene, and dipping the flag, ne At first they were rather reluctother reply could be made, as two ant to speak of the piracy, pleading that they had had heard quite pirates were standing, one on either enough about it and made enough to shoot if he made any other than side of the Chief Officer threatening statements. Eventually, however, the customary signal. The Captain they were prevailed upon to relate their story..

was also on the bridge at this time, All went well after the vessel left and was similarly threatened, Shanghai on Monday for Army, The Captain. Mr. Johnsen, who After being on fire since Thurs until Wednesday morning at about.

PIRATES, IN THE ENGINE Norwegian subject, and day night, the Irene which burned 8.10. At this time the Chief Officer, officers of the ill-fated Irene, when all day yesterday, despite water Mr. Tunes, war on the bridge with interviewed by & Daily Press re- steadily pumped into her by a wara Chinese quartermaster. The Cap presentative, were wearing new ship standing by, went down, actain, Second Officer and Second pirates appeared to take charge of reason, our reporter was unable to It was about this time, that the room, but for what particular ready-made suita. They were rather cording to later news received last Engineer were then at breakfast in the engine, room, which hitherto ascertain. A number of pirates in reticent and said to our reporter evening.

the saloon, while the Chief Engineer they had left more or less free. that there was very little to tell."

the engine room escorted him to the. It was thought earlier in the day was in the engine room. However, they agreed that they that the hull might be saved, as it

The ship first went at full-speed, upper deck, and it was thought-be All was quite,' had gone through a most trying was only the upper-structure and Chief Officer,

related the and then slowed down as Bias Bay was taken up to show the pirates experience. They were seized by the saloon, cabins, and wooden deck there was rush underneath the ordered the speed from the engine

"until suddenly was approached, and the pirates where the lifebonta were. pirates early on the morning of that were burning when the officers bridge, and before I quite knowroom, disregarding any bridge tele- pirates down below, and they kept There were then still four or five October 13th (Wednesday) while left the ship. the chief officer, Mr. Innes, was on

what had happened there, three graph signals.

running up and down watching the four pirates were rushing the the bridge. All the rest of them

The Second Engineer (Mr. Hall-searchlight of the submarine play lost everything except the pyjamas and thither, and

bridge, wildly firing their revolvers vick) told our representative how ing on the Iretie. in which they

he was forced to put the engines *ashore.

some of the as they did so,”

The Chief Officer went on to ex- at whatever spoed the pirates desir The Second Engineer was also in The pirates were in very pirates were in tears. Quite a um plain that the weapons were noted, and of the varying speeds order-the engine room, and when the aggressive mood. Later their sterners both of the free-booters and the

sigual came from the bridge from ness somewhat relaxed and the passengers, entirely lost their heads aimed at enyone in particular, bat ed.

that, the pirates appeared to be in

the Captain to stop the engine, he thief told Capt. Johnsen that he and threw themselves overboard.

gave the order to this effect. A had recently been a student in While this was happening on one such state of excitement that

pirate, however, immediately hold America He conversed in fluent side of the ship, pirates on the they discharged their nistols indis Arriving at Blas Bay, just after a revolver to his head, and threaten-

criminately. English and gave Capt. Johnsen other side were shooting at the

I was ordered to set course for eight o'clock, alt lights on the ed him with his life, and he was the impression that he was a deter- They blamed the Captain Swntow," he added," which I did: bridge, and apper part of the obliged to start the engines again,

for the submarine's interference. mined and dangerous man who Some of the more daring then Shortly afterwards the Captain vessel were extingunshed, only a "The pirates in the engine room, would stop at nothing,

opened are at the submarine, and, came up to the bridge, and the few lights in the engine room being and also above deck," said ond

officer, were absolutely crazy according to the opinion of one of course was again altered for Hong allowed. the officers, this must have, induced

The pirates then requested that fear and rage." Kong."

the boats be purt out, but when it the L. to fire two explosive shells

was pointed out to them that was through the engine-room.

not safe, in view of the rough aca; they did not insist.

tame

SHOOTING AT OFFICERS.

HOW THE IRENE" WAS STOPPED.

LIGHTS

OUT.

-FIRST SHOTS. The officers then went on to refer

Then came the shell into the cngine-room, related the Second- Engineer, which disabled the boil- er, that saved my life," he added." "and incidentally killed the pirate who was threatening to shoot me. There was a rush of escaping steam, and everyone below managed to get out. We were all scalded.

But his behaviour, according to

THE CAPTAIN'S STORY: the officers, was quite gentlemanly. Immediately after the ship was seized, he instructed his heachnien

At this point the Captain Jolinen related how he became aware that that nothing belonging to the cheers and crew was to be touch-

the ship was in the hands of rd. The officers were given every

pirates. After the engine room was hit by was breakfasting in the freedom compatible with the safety shells, the robbers refused to allow salcon," he stated," when eight or to the firing of the shots by Sub of the pirates control. The latter the engines to be stopped. Those ten of them came in, firing their marine of which on official I had to rest in a bathroom for numbered about seventeen.

I who were in the engine-room were revolvare as they did so. A Chinese statement is published below sometime before I had enough These sea rovera were, however, threatened with revolvers and told

boy' was wounded, a shot enter- Following the signal to "step im-strength to go out on deck and see quickly brought to their feet when to keep the ship at full steaming his right lung.mediately, an order which the what was happening." two blank shells were fired from ahead, but the Irene was eventually At this time the pirates did not pirates decided to disoboy and maki

4. Their bravado collapsed and brought to a stop through the burst trouble to interfere with the engine a dash for it a blank round was Another offer related how the thepirate-chief and his sub-ing of the main steam pipe. The room staff. They occasionally lock fired, then a live shell across her pirates were so dismayed, so ordinaten went down on their knees moment this pipe was penetrated ed down into the engine room and bows, and then a third shot into frenzied and afraid at what bad to the skipper to save them. The 1 by a fragment of the shell, the gave some instructions, but it was the saloon, though a cabin, and happened that they said that they whole ship became full of panic, entire steam rushed out filling the not, until later that they actually down to the engine room, disabling would kill the officers if they had stricken Chinese. Little children engine room and the ship was thus asumed fall control in this part the vossal.

to go down and women were hurrying hither automatically stopped.

of the vessel."

(Continued on page b.)

(Continged on next Column.)