Middletown transcript., 1922-08-12

The most polite pirate extant is the
chief Of the band that looted the
steamer Kwang Lee on the China sea
recently. An account has reached this
country of this remarkable case Of
piracy. In which S120,0OO in bullion
and passengers money and jewelry
was stolen and a native passenger was
murdered.
The Kwang Lee, 1,4OO tons, owned
by the China Merchants Steam Nayi-
cation company, commanded by Cap
tain Lindsay Crawford, left Shang-
hal on Dec. 13 for Hongkong with a
general cargo and 230 Chinese pas
sengers. All went we'll until Dec. -.
when. off Annoy, two Chinese passen-
gers entered the captains cabin at
midday, pointed revolvers at him and
fired blank cartridge. Captain Craw-
ford was forced out Of the cabin and
told II he offered any resistance he
would be instantly shot and thrown
overheard. He was ordered along the
main deck and shown into the mess.
room, where he found the second en-
gineer. Armed sentries were placed on
guard at the door and shortly after
ward the chief engineer and other Of.
ficers were made prisoners.
Gave Him Sailing Orders.
At 3 o'clock In the afternoon the
captain was ordered onto the bridge,
and the leader Of the pirates demanded
the position Of the ship and the dis,
tance to Chapel island. On being in
formed that the Kwang Lee was
eighteen miles due south of the island
the pirates became very excited ri A
number Of them collected on the bridge
and after an animated discussion
Captain Crawford was asked the dis
tance TO ,Hongkong, and was then
ordered at the point Of a revolver to
steam due south.
AT 10 o'clock the same night the
course was altered towards Swatow,
tle captain being Informed that II he
went near the shore he would be shot
During the night and great part Of
the following DAY the pirates occupied
themselves In looting the vessel. Pas
.engers' trunks were smashed open
aud everything portable removed. The
cabins were rsnsacked and officers re-
lieved OF all personal belongings, in
cludlng evening dress clothes. Early
In the proceedings Chinese passen-
ger, Sc Pc kwan, was shot and his
body heaved overheard The strong
room was opened and five boxes con
tanning $4,000 were lowered into Il
junk, together with passengers cloth
100000.
On leaving the boat the robbers gave
strict instructions that the vessel was
not to leave the bay before a m.
on Dec. II. Directly the Junk left the
vessel the members Of the crew were
released and the necessary repairs to
the engines were rushed through.
Three hours later the vessel crept out
OF the bay and made full speed for
Hongkong.
Courteous Pirate Chief.
Captain Crawford is of the opinion
that there was no collusion between
the crew Of the junk and the pirates.
The junk was held up and ordered to
come alongside. The chief of the pi.
rates was courteous and polite, and
upon leaving the vessel apolo2ized for
the inconvenience caused and hoped
the captain would think Of them In a
friendly manner. He offered to shake
hands with Captain Crawford
AS little memento Of the occasion
the robber presented the captain with
his gold watch and chain to compen-
safe him for the loss Of his own, which
had been looted by one of the gang
A silver-mounted walking stick was
presented to the second officer. and a
Chinese lady passenger was called for
ward and 500 given her with instruc-
ton to share 1t among the passengers
on arrival at Hongkong.