MODERN PIRACY

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1934, Page 5

MODERN PIRACY

BRITISH STEAMER LOOTED IN CHINESE WATERS. • ' ' • '• • \ (Uofted Pres* Ascociat-ion—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PEKING, J.pne.(il9. Pirates' 'held up and looted , a British coastal .steamer,. the Shuntien, when on route-from Tientsin to . Shanghai nt the mouth of .the Yellow River, kidnapping, six foriegn passengers and twenty Chinese. One passenger was badly wounded during <& hand-to-hand scuffle aboard. Two warships ai’e proceeding full speed, to meet, the Shuntien,. which is en route -to Ohefoo, ..., The piracy 'occurred on Sunday night, when thirty Chinese on board, who were disguised as passengers, the majority of them lamed, rushed the bridge,, also taking possession of the engine room. Captain Christansen wa<s immediately placed under an armed guard, as also were the wireless operators. When Ross,,the third officer, was shot, a pirate took the •frheel, handling,, the ship obviously Os .-\n experienced navigator. The vessel was then taken,; to the mouth of, the Yellow River, where it met five junks. The cargo was not. touched, but the . passengers’ luggage and valuable were thoroughly looted. , ■ '

Before leaving the vessel, the pirates announced that they were, taking four of the passengers and two of, the ships’ officers as -hosteges and also . were taking twenty Chinese for ransom. The captain suggested , drawing lots among the foreigners to accompany the. pirates, but the latter made their own selection.,

PVncv is regarded as most daring in- this part of the world.,The British naya.l authorities are ..not dis* closing their plans. The {foreign women,- wore not molested, and they came through the ordeal unharmed.