Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-09-30
PIRATES LOOT
BRITISH ship;
MAKE ESCAPE
Hold l,4OO Passengers
At Bay With Guns
While Vessel Ia Rob-
bed

HONGKONG, Sept. 2e.-tP-A sto-
w az cruelty and ferocity. rivalling
the widest tales Of the Spanish Main,
was brought to Hongkong today by
the steamship Anking, which reached
port after having been looted BY
Chinese pirates.
Two British officers Of the steam
er. Chief Officer Davis q. Jones OF
New Quay. Wales. and Chief Engi-
neer Henry Thomson Of Greenock,
Scotland, we're killed. Captain PUNK
EFT Cole who commanded the ship,
was wounded as was third officer a..
/. Campbell. The Chinese quarter
master who rushed 70 the bridge 90
fight off the pirates was shot dead.
The Anking which left Singapore.
Strait Settlements. on Sept. 70 for
H%ongkong By way Of Hollow. Swa-
tow and Annoy was attacked BY the
pirates on Wednesday in the Gulf Of
Tonking. The pirates had shipped
aboard the vessel as passengers
Most Of the officers Of the ship
were at dinner Wednesday when the
pirates, numbering forty, dropped
their passenger roles. Some Of them
rushed 20 the bridge OF the vessel
firing point blank at the officers on
duty there. Chief Officer Jones was
instantly killed and Captain Cole fell
with bullets in both legs. IL was at
this point that the Chinese quarter
master rushed TO the bridge 90 assist
his commander but was shot dead as
soon as he appeared.
Seize Engine Room
Meanwhile other pirates had rush
"a into the engine room and MUIR
dered Chief Engineer Thomson. The
other officers were wounded and
beaten with clubs while Campbell
was knitted In the hack and fell be-
side the body Of Chief officer Jones.
The pirates seized the ships ar
mory and took full control Of the
vessel, overaw,ng 1.400 passengers
aboard her. After throwing the dead
men overheard. the pirates permitted
the ships surgeon 20 dress the
wounds Of Captain Cole and the 9TH
er wounded. Second Officer Bennett
was then forced 10 navigate the ship
under q guard Of pirates who held
revolvers at his back. Bennett was
compelled 10 stay on the bridge for
81 hours with but short intervals Of
rest until the Anking cast anchor IN
Honghai Bay. which Is north Of Bias
Bay, the notorious lair Of Chinese
pirates. @
All passengers were mustered on
the decks and Systematically search
ed. luggage and cargo cases we're
rAnsacked and the ships officers
were robbed. For ten hours this
went on until q great pile Of loot was
heaped on the decks ready 70 be tax
en- ashore.
Leave In Lifeboats
The pirates disembarked in three
lifeboats taking loot valued at $780,
600. Seven Chinese passengers also
were taken along 20 he held for ran
som. The desperadoes were in gay
humor At the success Of their raid
and when not guarding their victims
made merry and Toasted heavily In
the saloons and Officers mess.
AS the ship passed Honekong last
night cnroute for Honghai Bay the
pirates became alert. All lights were
extinruished and the surviving off
GERS we're threatened with instant
death IN the Anking we're challenged.
Several vessels we're sighted but the
pirates lodged any challenge. Bias
Bay itself was given a wide berth
since warshirs are constantly patrol
ling the waters off that pirate rem
devious. The Anking was steered
into Honrhai Bay and anchored off
Ross Head az I n. ri.
After the Chinese crew and third
officer Bird had rowed the pirates
ashore. they were permitted O. re-
turn 20 the ship which Immediately
steamed for Hongkong, arriving late
TODAY.
The Anking piracy il one 81 the
most daring and successful outrages
or recent years and has caused great
concern in sea-faring and mercantile
circles.