CHINESE PIRATES

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1932, Page 6

CHINESE PIRATES

BRITISH SHIP LOOTED

PASSENGERS LOCKED UP

.LONDON, October. 14. For tbe third time the British steamer Hefikoni lias been looted by Chinese pirates. The Helikon was on the way from Honk sengers, when in accordance with the best traditions of Chinese pirates, about 14 passengers suddenly revealed themselves as armed desperadoes and, seizing the bridge, compelled the captain at the revolver point to steer for Bias Buy.

-> .-The wireless was put out’ of action •and'. tlie‘.’ship’s officers and women paswere locked in their cabins. ftn»»*»Ks the passengers were 'Miss van Driest, a Canadian, and Miss i.uitli uoynton, to whom the pirates returned their jewellery. Miss Boynton was beginning a journey home after being 15' years in China.

Five other Chinese passengers were held to ransom.

The cargo was looted, and at a given signal junks appeared, taking off the loot and the five kidnapped passengers. •' Two British destroyers, the Bruce and the Wishart, raced to the scene as soon as the news of the piracy was received, but they were too late to intercept the pirates. The II el ikon is a Chinese-owned steamer of 2300 tons, which flies the British flag and is manned by British officers.