Sessional_Paper_1927 — Page 61

57

No. 1927

HONG KONG.

REPORT OF THE

SUNNING" PIRACY COMMISSIO V.

We, the members of the Commission appointed by His Excellency the Governor to inquire into the circumstances under which the s.s. "Sunning" was on 15th November, 1926, seized by pirates while on the voyage from Shanghai to Hong Kong; and in parti- cular;-

(a) to inquire how it was possible for the pirates to get on board the ship

with arms in their possession;

(b) to inquire how it was possible for the pirates to seize the ship;

(c) to consider the efficiency of the anti-piracy fittings in the ship and to make recommendations as to the alterations and additions, if any, that may be deemed necessary in the s.s. "Sunning" or other sea-going ships;

(d) to consider the supply of armed guards, the number to be carried and

their administration; and

(e) to consider generally and to make recommendations as to the measures

necessary for preventing piracy :-

have the honour to submit the following report and recommendations.

I.-The Commission

The Commission as originally appointed by Proclamation on 25th November, 1926, consisted of the following members :-

Honourable Mr. E. R. Hallifax, C.M.G., C.B.E., (Chairman).

Honourable Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe.

Lieut. Commander G. F. Hole, R.N.

Commander F. N. Miles, 0.B.E., R.N.

Mr. W. G. Goggin.

Captain A. J. Holland.

The sittings of the Commission were delayed by the necessity for awaiting the con- clusion of criminal proceedings instituted against a number of the pirates who had been arrested. Meanwhile the Proclamation of 2nd December, 1926 added the name of Captain A. H. Stewart to the Commission and the last of the terms of reference (e) set out above.

The Proclamation of 4th February, 1927, substituted Lieut.-Commander L. J. Pit- cairn Jones, D.S.C., R.N., Mr. T. G. Weall and Captain A. W. Davison, R.N.R., for Com- mander F. N. Miles, o.B.E., R.N., Mr. W. G. Goggin and Captain A. J. Holland who had resigned.

The Commission met for the first time on 6th December, 1926, held thirteen meet- ings, and examined seventeen witnesses

II. The s.s. "Sunning" and the Piracy Incident.

J

The s.s. "Sunning" is a steel screw steamer of 2,555 tons, Official Number 139,560 owned by the China Navigation Co, Ltd., and constructed in 1916 by the Taikoo Dockyard and Engineering Co. of Hong Kong, Limited. She is engaged in the convey- On 15th ance of cargo and passengers between Hong Kong and China coast ports. November, 1926, at 9.30 a.m. the s.s. "Sunning" left Amoy for Hong Kong. At about 3.40 p.m. on the same day pirates, who had travelled disguised as passengers, launched a surprise attack, secured the officers, disarmed the Indian guards, and were soon in possession of the ship. The ship was retaken during the following night as the result of resourceful and daring action for which the Chief and Second Officers were primarily re- sponsible.

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