CHINESE PIRATES

Evening Star, Issue 21751, 20 June 1934, Page 9

CHINESE PIRATES

BRITISH STEAMER LOOTED CAPTIVES TAKEN AS HOSTAGES Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. PEKIN, June 19. Pirates held up and looted the British coastal steamer Shuntien, which was en route from Tientsin to Shanghai, at the mouth of the Yellow River, kidnapping six foreign passengers and twenty Chinese. One passenger was badly wounded during a hand-to-hand scuffle aboard. Two warships are proceeding at full speed to meet the Shuntien, which is en route to Chefoo.

The captives include two British naval lieutenants, Mr Lucefield Gi'aeme Nicholl (an insurance manager), a Japanese named Yamamoto, the second officer (Mr Brand), and the third engineer (Mr Watson). The pirates loaded with plunder five junks and fled inland.

The third officer of the Shuntien, Mr Ross, was badly wounded by a bullet. He was the only man to defy the pirates when they rushed the bridge. Among the passengers kidnapped were the British Consul-General at Tsingtao (Mr Hadley Derry) and also Inspector Isenmonger (police commissioner at Tientsin).

The piracy occurred on Sunday night, when thirty Chinese disguised as passengers, the majority armed, ■ rushed the bridge and also took possession of the engine l room. Captain Christiansen and the wireless operators were immediately placed under an armed guard. When Mr Ross was shot a pirate took the wheel, handling the ship obviously as an experienced navigator. The vessel was then taken to the mouth of the Yellow River, where it was met by five junks. The cargo was not touched, but the passengers’ luggage and valuables were thoroughly looted. The foreign women were not molested, and came through the ordeal unharmed. Before leaving the vessel the pirates announced that they would take four passengers and two of the ship’s officers as hostages, and twenty Chinese for ransom. The captain suggested drawing lots among the foreigners to accompany the pirates, but the latter made their own selection. The piracy is regarded as the most daring in this part of the world. The British naval authorities are not disclosing their plans.

Mrs Ross, mother of the wounded officer, has left Shanghai for Chefoo, hearing that her son was near death. An armed guard was supplied by the Worcester Regiment. The aircraft carrier H.M.S. Eagle has left Weihaiwei for an unknown destination. Later reports indicate that the pirates have not left the junks, which are anchored in shallow waters and are inaccessible to sea-going craft, which suggests the Eagle’s mission.