TALE OF PIRACY.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 October 1919, Page 7

TALE OF PIRACY.

DARING HOLD-UP ON THE HIGH SEAS_ A folegrztnl received recently from Constantinople gives particulars of a most extraordinal-y and daring case of robbery on the high seas, recalling the piracy of the Middle Ages.

The steamer Constantine, of the Ruésian ports, bl'-.n:ght tb,e news. that her crew :m=.l nacsengers had D(.‘ell overrawécl in the Black Sea‘ by a band of brigands, the passengers robbed, and their baggage rifled. Gold coin and notes to the value of 35,000,000 roubles, besides jewellery and other

valuables, were taken. V ;\ munber 6:“ passengers,‘ including 3 group of individuals who appeared to be Georgians, embarked at Batum, and while Hm steamer was on route for Rizoh revolver shots were. en‘.-tldcenly I heard. one night _ I A regular panJcmOllium followed, inlingle(l with the scrcaxng” of the WO- - and chilrh'cll passengers. All .I:Cillts of the vessel were guarded. ’and all resistance on the part of the passengers and the crew was insL:lntl_V

lovercome, While the captairl of the [ship Wa-. owlere-’u to continue his { course. i I The systematic robbery of the passengers’ effects then followed, and [lasted for about four hours. The pro,cceds were then placed in four ‘Large 'canvas sacks_ On the arrival off {R-izch the captain was ordered to slacken‘ speed and lower the bozats, whereupon the pirates rowed ashore’ with their booty. On hit arzival at Tvebizonr’. the captan reported the affair to the British authorities, and the ship was orderedto return to Batum, where the capfain was arrested and an inquiry opoziad. which established the fact that eight of the crew were not described in the ship's papers, while the pirates, who numbered 27, embarked‘ without any documents, and doubtless had acccm_plices onhoard. ~ . T T V"