DARING GIRL PIRATE

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4461, 24 October 1933, Page 7

DARING GIRL PIRATE

ELUSIVE SEA-ROVER LEADER OF CUT-THROATS Owing to a fresh outbreak of attacks on coasting craft in which she is declared to have played a prominent part, the Chinese authorities have been making renewed efforts to effect the capture of a girl sea rover, who, for three or four years, has eluded attempts to entrap her. This feminine pirate is the subject of considerable mystery. Known as Ling Hoh-sung, she has been described by those who have met her as a pretty girl of about 26. All have agreed that although bearing a Chinese name, she is not of Chinese origin. »

It has been declared that behind a Chinese alias is the personality of an English or American University girl driven by a wrecked romance with a Chinese lover into paths of adventure. However true that may be, the girl and her activities are fast attaining legendary proportions along the China coast. Dressed in black silk, in native trousered garb, and always leading her gang personally, Ling Hohsung has often proved herself a deadly revolver shot. Her habit is continually to smoke cigarettes, even when a raid is in progress; and she will speak English or Chinese as the mood takes her. A favourite plan of the girl is to board a coasting steamer as a first class passenger, members of her gang joining the vessel in the guise of passengers at different points. All pose as strangers to each other. The bandits act at a pre-arrang-ed signal given by the girl, taking the ship by surprise.

One of the girl's most daring coups was affected on a Japanese steamer bound from Swatow to Hongkong. The vessel carried nine Jaipanees officers and Chinese crew, and over 120 passengers. To guard against possible attack the bridge was furnished with specially erected grilles at which armed sentries were posted night and day. Yet the steamer was pillaged thoroughly by the girl and her band.

The girl was on board as a first class passenger, and one morning about the hour when the watch was due to be changed she rose from a deck chair and strolled toward the bridge. Shje reached the ladder holding a pistol in each hand, and, covering the startled guard, gave commands to a crowd of pseudopassengers who came running toward her. A bullet from one of her pistols laid low the bridge guard as he was in the act of drawing his revolver. In a twinkling, without fuss, the ship was captured and the girl was giving orders from tlie bridge to the officers and enforcing them at the pistol-point. To the captain she indicated a spot on a chart—an inlet at a remote part of the coast. Holding a pistol to his head she compelled him to take the vessel , there. Meanwhile Ling Toh-sung's underlings pillaged the cabins and robbed the passengers of jewellery and money. All arms found on the ship were flung overboard and the wireless apparatus was smashed. When the inlet was reached the girl and her gang commandeered one of the ship's boats and rowed ashore. British bluejackets and other searchers afterwards scoured the vicinity but found no trace of the girl or her band. Ling Hoh-sung's elusiveness, says the News of the World, is only equalled by her amazing daring. While much speculation exists as to her actual identity, there is little as to the fate that waits her—i should she be caught.