YELLOW PIRATES

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1926, Page 4

YELLOW PIRATES

lIONG-KONG, March [

Tito First Lord of the Admiralty’s recent statement that the suppression of Chinese pirates costs the British Navy quite a considerable sum Kimuallv will, surprise those people wno are unaware of the enterprising methods of these desperadoes. When chine.se pirates decide to attack a ship ti oy usually divide into two sections. Fart of the band embark at a previous pin, dressed as passengers. The leaders, often well-educated men, civel fiist class. The rest mingle with the crowd of Chinese in tire steerage. The police search for weapons before sailing, hut seldom succeed in ditching old hands at tlio game.

All goes well until the ship arrives off the prearranged rendezvous. lb l e in some bay near their stronghold the other section of the pirates await tlcir victim. Suddenly a rifle shot anils—the signal for a simultaneous attack on every part of the ship. Each pirate knows his job. Some dash for the guards, who, tak.ui l\y >urprise, are shot and thrown overboard. Tlio keys are seized, . the gates are unlocked, and the bridge stormed. 'I he British officers on duty are overpowered and in an incredibly short time the ship is in the pirates’ hands. 'l'he leader of the gang usually s| oaks .English. He orders the quartermaster to change course, a .Mauser in his .libs enforcing the command. The ("'g'nemo m is dealt with in the same way. Once the pirates are past the grilles that divide the ship resistance is useless. One British engineer preparing to fight was knocked on the head by his own Chinese fireman and pushed into an empty boiler, 'this action saved his life.

Meanwhile the passengers hurriedly give up their valuables and the purser is forced to deliver the sate keys. Hero the pirates make their biggest haul. Next nil the passengers are driven into the saloon and locked in. '1 he cabins are thoroughly searched and the ship’s cargo got ready lor unloading. By this time the, rendezvous is reached. In the secluded bay the rest ot the gang surround the vessel in junks and sampans. Into these the pirates booty is quickly transferred. Lastly the pirates select several of tho most prosperous-looking Chinese for ransom. Their fate will he weeks of misery while they are chained up in some hill cave, and if the ransom is not forthcoming their late is terrible i infeed.

The pirates depart and the ship limps home as last as she may to get her wounded to hospital. The pirates make for tho mountains, where pursuit is impossible.