SHIPWRECKED CREW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21165, 23 April 1932, Page 15

SHIPWRECKED CREW.

FIGHTING CHINESE PIRATES. JUNKS ARMED WITH CANNON. .A storv of shipwreck and piracy on a small Chinese island occupied by fishermen in the Formosa Sea is told by Captain Gehr .Tohannsen. master of the motor - ship Roseville, which lately arrived at Bunbury, Western .Australia. Captain Johannsen said that on March 5, last year, when travelling with a cargo from Shanghai to southern Chinese ports and Singapore, the. vessel ran on rocks in a fog, remaining there till if was refloated on June 10. J lie 300 occupants of tho island were obviously pirates, and Captain Johannsen and the. Norwegian crew, with only I hive revolvers, had trouble, in keeping them off. A Jnpanose salvage company took over the vessel on March 13, and almost immediately the Chinese raided the ship at low water through big holes in the battered sides. The Japanese, who had more men and rifles than the Norwegians, appealed to Captain Johannsen for help, but, lie replied that lie could do no more. A Japanese cruiser arrived and remained for a few hours after quietening (he Chinese. After negotiations, 15 Chinese soldiers were obtained to keep watch. They built, small forts, which kept the pirates in aw:\ The crisis was reached on March 30, when three Chinese junks, with cannon, arrived and shelled thp. soldiers and boarded the Roseville, stripping her of everything valuable, and destroying many fittings. A cruiser was sent, for, but tho pirates had gone when it appeared next morning.

Captain Johnnnscn said he. never expected the, vessel to lie refloated. Bad weather destroyed tho repairs on three occasions, and practically a new ship was built a| Mitsui Dock, at Tama (Japan). The. Rosovillo is on her way to Europe.