LOOTED BY PIRATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22293, 20 June 1934, Page 7

LOOTED BY PIRATES

A BRITISH STEAMER SEVERAL CAPTIVES TAKEN - (United P;ress -Association.), : (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PEKIN, June 19. ((Received June 19, at, 10 pun.) , Pirates held up and looted the British coastal steamer Shuntien, which was en route from Tientsin to Shanghai, at The mouth of the Yellow River, kidnapping six foreign passengers ' and twenty Chinese. One passenger was badly wounded during a hand-to-hand scuffle aboard. Two warships are proceeding at full' speed to meet the Suntien, which is en route to Cliefooi The captives include two British, naval lieutenants, Mr Lnccfield Graeme 'Nicholl, an insurance manager, a Japanese named Yamamoto, the second officer, Mr Brand, and the third engineer, Mr, Watson. The pirates loaded, with plunder five junks and fled inland. , . •

WOMEN NOT MOLESTED. SHANGHAI, June 19. (Received June 19, atll ■p.hL) : The third officer of the Shuntieh; Mr Ross, was badly wounded by a , bullet. He was the only man 'to defy the pirates when they rushed the bridge. Among the passengers kidnapped were the British consul, General; Tsingtao, Mr Hadley Derry, and also Inspector Iscnmonger, police commissioner at Tientsin, The piracy occurred on Sunday night, when 30, Chinese disguised as passengers, the majority armed, rushed the bridge and also took possession of ;the engine room. Captain Christansen and the wireless operators were immediately ’placed tinder an armed guard. When- Mr Ross was shot a pirate took the w’heel, handling the ship opviously as an experienced navigator.* The vessel was then taken to the mouth of the Yellow River, where it was met by five, junks. The cargo was not touched. but the passengers’ luggage and valuables ' were thoroughly looted. The foreign, women were hot molested and came through” the ordeal unharmed. Before leaving the vessel the pirates announced that they would take "four. pasengers and-two of the ship’s officers as and 20 Chinese for ..ransom. The captain, suggested drawing lots among the foreigner* to accompany the pi rates, but the latter made - theirown' selection.

The piracy is regarded as the most daring in this, part of the world. 1 The British naval authorities are not disclosing their .plans, Mrs Ross, mother of the wounded officer, has left Shanghai for Chefoo, hearing that her son was near death. An armed guard was supplied by the Worcester' Regiment. ' ; j .■ The aircraft carrier H.M.S. Eagle has left Weihaiwei for an unknown destination. Later reports, indicate that: the pirates have not left the junks,. Which are anchored in shallow waters and are inaccessible to sea-going craft, which suggests the Eagle’s mission.