OUTRAGE BY PIRATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20419, 22 November 1929, Page 10

OUTRAGE BY PIRATES.

CHINESE DESPERADOES.

JAPANESE SHIP LOOTED*

WOMAN LEADS NIGHT ATTACK#

With bloodstained decks arid looted holds the Japanese steamer Deli Mara steamed into Hongkong on September 21 from Bias Bay, the notorious haunt of the Chinese pirates. She had been taken there after her capture by pirates. The Deli Maru, which is owned by the Osaka Shosen Kaisha, left Swatow «£ four .o'clock on the afternoon, of Jridav, September 20. She carried 143 Chinese passengers. As is usual in these waters, stringent' precautions had been taken against capture by pirates disguised as harmless Chinese passengers. Strong steel grills enclosed the steerage 'part, of tha ship, and shut the bridge off from atsy sudden attack. Indian guards were also posted at the approach to the bridge. - All these precautions, however, proved useless. At half-past three on Saturday morning the woman leader of the pirates gave the signal for the attack. Thirteen of the Chinese steerage passengers armed with revolvers at once leaped from their hiding places and attacked the ship. Headed by their woman leader brand, ishing two revolvers, the pirates rushed toward the bridge. The three Indian guards, taken unawares, were ruthlessly shot down, the steel gates of the grill were quickly smashed, and in a moment the desperadoes swarmed up the 'bridge, overpowering the second officer, who was on watch. At the same .time other parties of pirates appeared in the engine room, where no resistance was offered. la a few minutes all was over, and tha pirates were in control of the ship. Under the threat of instant death the officers of the Deli Maru were forced tg steer their ship to Bias Bay, where so many ships have been pillaged in recent years. Throughout tha journey the woman leader of the pirates, who was well dressed, kept constant watch. The Deli Maru reached her destination without incident and anchored in the Samchau inlet, where the pirates looted the vessel in broad daylight. " They also robbed the passengers and ship's officers of their valuables. It is believed that their total haul amounted to 3000 dollars. At half-past eight the looting was over, and the pirates took their booty, ashore in two of the ship's lifeboats. They also took with them four deck passengers, wealthy Chinese business men belonging to Shanghai, whom they held for ransom. They threaten to kill them if tha ransom is not paid. On arrival at Hongkong on Saturday evening the wounded guards of the Deli Maru were taken to hospital. One of them - was very seriously wounded, and there were doubts as to his recovery.