1930-11-14 — Page 7

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HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1930.

THE SCOURGE OF THE CHINA SEA,

NORWEGIAN-OWNED STEAMER HIRUNDO FALLS VICTIM TO BIAS BAY PIRATES.

COMPRADORE AND HIS ASSISTANT CARRIED AWAY: BOOTY EXCEEDS $4,000: CHINESE STEWARD WOUNDED;

PIRATES DISEMBARK ÁT MIRS BAY AT DAYBREAK.

After on a brief period of iquctivity, pirates are again operating on the China Coast, their latest victim being a Norwegian vessel, the 5.5. Hirundo, which was pirated in broad day- light on Wednesday when the vessel was on a voyage from Swatow to Bangkok,

The pirates-atated to be twolvo in number-surprised the ship simultaneously at soveral points. Two shots wore heard ́at about twelve noon on Wednesday and from that point on- ward the pirates had command of the vessel until they disembarked at Mirs Bay at daylight yes- torday.

A fortunate circumstance of the piracy, was, that no lives were lost. The ship carried no piracy guards. The pirates' total booty is estimated at about 84,000. They left the Hirundo on the ship's lifeboats, Inking with them the ship's compradore and his principal assistant.

The ship's cargo of general merchandise was untouched by the pirates, but the personal belongings of both the crew and the,330 steerago passengers on board wore thoroughly, searched and stripped of everything valuable. It is stated that the pirates had expected to fad a ship ment of bullion on board and that it was due to their disappointment in this direction, that they resorted to kidnapping. In this connection, it is interesting to mention that the pirates repeat- edly asked for the ship's doctor and offered a reward to anyone who would point out that officer to them, but fortunately they failed to locate this man.

Only one man was injured during the ship's occupation by the pirates and that wan A steward who left a cabin to axeertaly the cause of a commotion outside. At the sight of the pirates, he ran, but the former took no chances and fired at this man, who was wounded, a shot entering from the back, a little below the left shoulder.

The ship wirelessed the news of the attack as soon as the pirates loft and shortly after 11. yesterday sho sailed into the harbour and anchored at Stonecutters. Here she was boarded by the police who first of all sent the wounded steward to hospital. His condition does

not cause for alarm.

After thoroughly examining, the ship and obtaining statements from the officers, etew and passengers, a process which occupied several hours, the police flag was hauled down and members of the Press went on board where ascens of general chaos met their gaze. Clothing, property. and boxes were strewn, în great-disorder all over the decks, and wrenched lacks here and there bore testimony to the thorough manner in which the pirates did their work.

As the pirated ship was approaching Mire Bay, she passed several steamers during the night, but as all her lights were put out by the pirates her presence in the close vicinity of Bias Day was not noticed. One other precaution which the pirates took was to obliterate three large white Chinese characters, the Chinese name of the Hirundo painted on the side of the ship.

·;

CAPTAIN THOUGHT MADMAN HAD RUN AMOK.

Interviewed by a Daily Presa xe-¡ in the latter's room when he heard's taken inland, but the Captain re- presentative, Capt. John A. Peder noises ontside. On coming out of turned alter the pirates had safely the cabin he noticed that the second put ashore. There were a lot of sen said:-

officer was covered by three Chinese small craft in the vicinity when with revolvers. Meanwhile, Mr. they soft the Hirundo, but one of Fredriksen also came out and hoth these appeared to have been wait of them and the second officer were ing for the pirates. taken to the cook's cabin where they remained till morning. One of the pirates with a revolver stood over the door. Mr. Kristensen'a loss amounted to about 8190.

At about 12 noon I was read ing a newspaper in my cabin. My wife was also there. I heard the noise of banging and shouting out side, and thinking that there was a fight I left the cabin with the intention of stopping the row. I saw a Chinese covering the third engineer with a revolver. At the moment I thought that the man must be mad and was about to rush to help the third engineer, but as partly turned I saw two more men, with revolvers near, me. At

this time my wife also had left the cabin and had joined me. Both of EL$ were compelled to raise our hands and together with the third engineer we were placed in a corner of the ship under guard.

น

The chief officer was on his watch below and I learned that the

at the same time..

"

master were made use of in piloting The services of a Chinese quarter the vessel to Mira Point.

Ship's Doctor Evades Firates. The second engineer, Mr. Johu Dr. Lam King Ching, the ship's Stensland, who was one of the doctor, had a fortunate escape from earliest to come under the pirates' the hands of the pirates, who right control, explained that he was from the commencement of the Bovora piracy till they landed at Mirs sleeping in his cabin. armed Chinese broke in, and at the Point wore enquiring as to his point of their guns he was taken whereabouts. The pirates undoubt nut. It was at this time that edly intended to kidnap. Dr. Lam Messrs. Fredriksen and Kristensen for ransom and offered as much as also came under their control Mr. 2400 to anyone who could reveal Stensland's loss only amounted to his identity. about $70.

ho was only a collector employed by the cumpradore. Up till the time the pirates landed at Mira Point they made Bftosh or sixteen attempts to locate the ship's doctor. Dr. Lani and another passenger sought refuge in the third engin Ger's cabin. The third. engineer himself was there but he was order- od into the cugine room,

All this time the pirates were de manding to know the whereabouts of the doctor. They intimated that.

JEWISH BEQUEST.

CLAIMS BY DIFFERENT.

SYNAGOGUES,

POINT SETTLED IN LOCAL COURT.

A point as to which was the principal Jewish synagoguo in

4

ho was worth at least $10,000. Aerusalem camo for decision at the aum of $100 was put up as reward Supreme Court, yesterday, before to anyone who could divulge the Mr. Justice Wood.. doctor's hiding place, and this was eventually increased to 8100. Fortu. nately, no one was tempted by the

offer.

The proceedings arose from a bo- quest in the will of Sema Bolilios, of Calcutta, and the Hong Kong Hotel, dated August 23, 1993, which

At 6.30 am. Dr. Lam heard orders for the ship's bonts to be lowered, He gathered that the pirates were going to land. The doctor feigned sleep and totally covered himself with a blanket Lying on the same bunk but on the other end of the bunk was another passenger. His bead | k was exposed. The pirates entered the cabin and noticed only one man in a bunk. He was ordered to leave the cabin, and with five other men was lowered in a sampan. These

six men were at first intended to

be held for ransom, but the pirates finally decided to take two men only. Dr. Lam remained in the cabin autil the pirates left.

The pirates got the assistance, of 'the ship's crew to take their haul ashore. After 20 minutes delay the Captain resumed command of his ship and proceeded to Hong Kong,

The Pirated Ship. ̧·

rend: "Alter payment of my debts, my funeral and testamentary ox-'

hereinbofors contained, I give, de penses and of legneim and boquest.

visa and bequeath, all the residua and remainder of my estate, and effects whatsoever unto the prin cipal Jewish synagogue in Jer- usalem, to ho invested by, the governing body of that synagogue in such securities as they may think fit upon trust, to apply the annual come thereof in succouring the poor and needy in Jerusalem, and

Treasurer for the time being of I direct that the receipt by the

the said principal synagogue in Jerusalem be a good dischargo to: the executors, and trusters who shall not be answerable, for tho subsequent application of the said inoney..

Evidence On Commission.

The sa. Hirundo is a sister. ship

The Chief Rabbi Meir and the of three other bouts, the Helios, General Council of the Yochanan Hellas, asd Hirms, all of which are en Zakkai Synagogue, of the known in Hong Kong barbour. She was built in Norway in 1928 and Sephardic Jews of Jerusalem (se is 280 feet long; moulded breadth, cond dofendant) and the Chief 42 feet: moulded depth, 20 feet. Rabbi Kook and the General Coun Her gross tonnage is 1,328.

She is owned by Bruusgaard eil of the Beth. Jacob or Hurva Kiostorud & Co. of Drammen, Synagoguo. (third defendant) both. Norway, for whom Alessrs. Therezen claimed theirs to be the principal & Co., Ltd., are the local agente,

The Hirundo regularly runs be- synagogue, according to the descrip. tween Hong Kong, Swatow and tion in the will of Sema Belilios, Bangkok. She has six European and evidence was taken on commis- is, composed of 4 Chinese.... officers and one Chinese. The crewsion both in Jerusalem and Cal.

At the time of the piracy, the putta. Subsequently the third de vessel was carrying a general cargo tendant dropped his claim, and 330 Chinese, passengers.

She left. Hong Kong for Swatow

p.m. on Tuesday. and Swatow for Bangkok direct at and Bangkok on Sunday morning,

The ship sailed at 6. p.m. yester day, for Bangkok.

The Attorney General of Hong Kong, cited as the first defendant, was represented by Mr. Somerset Fitaroy, instructed by Mr. H. K.

The pirates included in their Holmes. Mr. F. C. Jenkin, in- visions and the Hirundo had to re-Messrs. Johnson, Stokes, & Master, booty practically all the ship's pro-structed by Mr. D. J. Lewis, of plenish her stores before she left the Colony,

appeared to satisfy the Court that the Yochanan Ben Zakkai Bynago- gue was the principal Jewish synagogue in Jerusalem, and there. fore entitled to the bequest. Mr.

Messrs. Wilkinson & Crist, was for Eldon Potter, K.C., instructed by

the third defendant.

WATER POLICE ESPORT.

In an interview with our repre-chargo of the ship.

A LATZEN.

Mr. Jenkin road extracts of evidence given on commission, by David Jaon Moses, in, Calcutta.

report issued yesterday, the pirates According to the official palice

ed to find on board silver bullion to who attacked the Hirundo expect- the value of $80,000. This, they intimated to the ship's officers and passengers when they were in $2,000 Stolen From Bhip's Safe..sentative, Dr. Lain said that hehe ship, when it left. Swatow, had The witness had carried out com-

The official report statea also that It was stated that the compra- was playing chess in the dining 240 passengers on board and 1,500 prehensive, research into the his people down there were held up dore, who is a native of Chiuchow, saloon with one of the passengers tons of general cargo. The piratical tory, and life of the Jewish com was in his room when the first, two on Wednesday morning.... Suddenly attack took place at about noon on Ordered To Turn Back, "They ordered us to turn the went to his cabin and picked him succession. This was followed by first attacked the wireless room book and several articles on the shots were fired. Some of the gang they heard two shots fired in rapid Wednesday at a point 130 miles munity in Palestine, and he had South of Hong Kong. The pirates written and had had, published, a ship back to Hong Kong. When out at once from several others much commotion outside, and the which was almost immediately put subject. In the course of his in- they got to Mira Point, they went in the room. They were chatting second compradore who was also out of action. off. The men ransacked the whole there when the pirates entered. On in the saloon rushed out to see pirates, who having taken the vessel Yochanan Synagogue, he had satis No resistance was offered the vestigations into the history of the

ship and took away personal efforts being asked, the compradore -pro-what was amiss, only to be confront proceeded to ransack the ship, of officers and passengers. The duced the key of the safe fromed with a pirate armed with a paying apccial attention to personnified, himself that it was the oldest belongings of officers, Drew and pas-Jewish 'synagogue in Jerusalem at ship's wireless apparatus, was all which about $2,000 in money. was revolver. The doctor at once sengers.

which prayers and services were smashed up at the commencement taken. The compradore was kept guessed there were pirates on The ship anchored on Thursday of the trouble. We reached Mire a prisoner in his own cabin up till board, and he immediately took morning at a point two and a half still conducted, Point at 6 am. this (Thursday) the time the pirates made their de

waters and she was at the time miles South of Peng Chau in British

morning."

parture when they took him along

within a cable's length from the The Captain informed our ropre with them. The third compradore

mainland, sentative that the pirates were not was also taken away by the pirates, very rough and he was not award but the second compradore, who that anyone had been handed out acted as interpreter for the intru- rough treatment. Captain Pedersen 'ders, was left alone.

has been eight years on the China Coast and this was his first experi ence with pirates.

He intimated that the cargo was left untouched but the ship's-arms- had bood carried off.

There were six European officers on board the Hirundo, the Captain, first, second and third mates, and two engineere. Everyone of them had their cabin ransacked, 'and the Captain's wife lost all her jewellery. Damage on board the ship consisted mostly of broken drawers, and articles in the cabins, and in the

Bridge Taken.

off

his coat and shirt, and wearing only a singlot and a pair of shorts, he ruffled his hair to complete his attempt at disguising himself. His clothes wore hidden under a sofa.

Currying a dagger Chinese came into the saloon and demand. éd to search everyone; After a brief search he left, but a few minutes later two armed men came

Mr. Karl Lovea, third officer, who was on duty on the bridge at the time, said that three of the pirates, and addressing Dr. Lam, asked, armed with revolvern went up to

Who are you! Are you the

The first and third compradore of the ship were kidnapped.

Visita By Royalty. He produced records of visita to the synagogue by European royal- ly, including a visit by H.I.M. Franz Joseph of Austria in 1820 and of King Edward VII of Eng- THE SWATOW, INCIDENT. and. There was also a record, or

SETTLEMENT, EXPECTED

SHORTLY

According to a Chinese Free report from Swatow, the recent. incident there, ni much a Chinese hotel tout was killed and several other wounded by Annamose

the bridge and took him down to doctor?". Dr. Lam replied that he the cook's cabin where he was kept was one of the ship's passengers the whole night.. He had some pro. and that all his luggage and money perty on board but fortunately the were in the steerage section." Gold sailors on board a French stenmor

ornaments, rings and a gold watch few days.

is expected to be settled within a

The French Consul, it is report

H.M. King George V. visiting the house of the then Chief Rabbi of the Sephardic Jews on the Pass- aver Night of 1887, when a spesial service was held

A Sephardie synagogue was in existence in Jerusalem in. 1628, and the Ben Zakkai was repaired and renovated in 1859

Mr. Somerset Fitzroy said that

pirates did not and them and they fore taken, 'away by the first ed. at Swatow has expressed bis he was prepared to admit that the

were left untouched.

Asked if he knew whether the truder, and there being nothing pirates were Cantonese, Hakkas or Hoklas, Mr. Loyas said that ho

further to take, the two men left.

Many Searches for the Doctor.

could not toll Mrs I gran consinde abest, while, inter spathar brua

willingness to accept the edx de Yochanan Ben Zakkai synagogue mands of the Chinese authorities, was the principal Jowish synago including the pirnishment of the Assailants and compensation to the gue in Jerusalem. lumily of deceased an inte

doclaration

od" by "saying that the compradore, men entered and once more search. Jured men-:-**

Thiru Compra-Ted the whole room turning to the the French Consul bave each also an order":foren

Ford Funiperuniginality, ang. Justice Weed, in concurring, Mr. M. Kristensen, the chief dors and the captain were taken second compradore, one of the dispatched three men to mogotiate granted in favour of the second engineer, said that he was with ashore on one of the ship's boats men demanded to know if he was regarding the amount of the defendant, with cong of the chief officer, Mr. Fredriksen, I with the pirates. The first two were the ship's doctor. Mr. Ko said that expected to be signed by Saturday,

pensation, and an agreement--is

tics to be paid ous of the watate.

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