Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-04-29

Ship According to Orders OF Pirate
chief-euliion, Passengers Money
and JeweIry Collected at Leisure
Captain 10 Compensated by Chief
for Gold Watch Taken From Him
by One OF Band.
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 or
piracy, In which $4,000 In bullion
and passengers money and Jewelry
was stolen and native passenger was
murdered.
The Kwang Lee. 1.4OO tons. owned
by the China Merchants Steam Navi-
CATION company. commanded by Cap
tain Lindsay Crawford. left Shang-
hal on Dec. IL for Hongkong with q
general cargo and go Chinese pas
sengers. All went well until Dec. 10.
when. Off Annoy, two Chinese passen-
gers entered the captains cabin at
midday. pointed revolvers at him ana
fred blank cartridge. Captain Craw-
ford was forced out Of the cabin ana
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
lance to Chapel island. On being In
formed that the Kwang Lee wac
eighteen miles due south Of the island
the pirates became very excited.
number OF them collected on the bridge
and after an animated discussion
Captain Crawford was asked the dis
lance to HOngkong. and was then
ordered at the point Of revolver 10
steam due south.
AT 10 o'clock the same night the
course was altered towards Swallow.
the captain being informed that II he
went near the shore he would he shot.
During the night and great part OF
the following day the pirates occupied
themselves In looting the vessel. Pas
sengers' trunks were smashed open
and everything portable removed. The
cabins were ransacked and officers re-
lieved Of all personal belongings. In
Guiding evening dress clothes. Early
IN the proceedings Chinese passen-
ger Sc Pc Kwan. WIS shot and his
hndv heaved overheard The strong
room was opened and five boxes con-
tanning S2O.OO0 were lowered into a
Junk. together with passengers cloth
Ing. money and jewelry. valued at
S1OO.OOO.
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 hay and made full speed for
Hongkong.
Courteous Pirate Chief.
Captain Crawford Is Of the opinion
that there was no collision between
the crew of the junk and the pirates.
The junk was held mp and ordered TO
come alongside The chief II the pi-
rates was courteous and polite. and
upon leaving the vessel apologized for
the Inconvenience caused. and hoped
the captain would think OF them In a
friendly manner He offered 10 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 siiver-mounted walking stick was
presented to the second officer. and
Chinese lady passenger was called for
ward and 500 given her with instruc-
tton IN share n among the Messengers