MODERN PIRATES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16918, 24 December 1925, Page 5

MODERN PIRATES.

CHINESE RAIDERS APPEAR. SHIPS WELL LOOTED. PASSENGERS SAFE BUT SUFFER STRAIN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.l PEKIN, Dec. 22. The pirates who captured the steamer Tungchow, made their headquarters in the first-class saloon, but did not interfere with the passengers, who were fed and occupied cabins as usual. They were told that in the event of any interference everyone on board would be shot. The pirates insisted that a course be kept fat out from land, and evinced murderous intentions every time another steamer hove in sight. The captain’s wound was dressed, and he was nursed by Airs Immott, a missionary. There were several anxious moments, notably at the end of the trip, when another steamer belonging to the same company passed close by, almost in sight of the pirates’ lair. Tile.foreign passengers, on the advice of the officers, remained within their cabins, while boats came from shoYe to take off the loot, which included a considerable quantity of specie, some of the cargo, and all the portables of the Chinese passengers. The foreigners were not molested. The steamer later sailed for Hongkong. Tile captain’s condition *is hopeful. No one else was injured, though all are suffering severely from strain. PIRACY REVIVAL IN AEGEAN SEA OPERATORS UP-TO-DATE. SHIPOWNERS ASK FOR. HELP. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) ATHENS, Dec. 22. Up-to-date • pirates, equipped with speedy motor-boats, are operating in the Aegean in the vicinity of the Dardanelles. Boats carry guns, with which small shipping is attacked. The latest exploit concerned an attack on a yawl, which is the property of a wealthy merchant and the fate of which is unknown. Shipowners have sent an urgent request to the Government for

help. DHOW HELD UP. HELP CAME TOO LATE. CALCUTTA, Dec. 12.—A German cargo vessel, the Nordmark (1488 tons), noticed a dhow 30 miles off _ Cochin signalling for help. The captain made for the dhow, and noticed a sailing vessel alongside, which made off as the Nordmark drew near. According to the story told by those on flic dhow, the sailing vessel carried a pirate crew of 30. who hoarded the dhow, armed with rifles and knives, and demanded and secured possession of all valuables on board, threatening their vistims with death if they resisted.

The captain of the Nordmark would have chased the sailing vessel but for the delay experienced in learning what actually had occurred, and when the full details were known it was too late. The dhow was towed to the port of Cochin, and 1 on the Nordmark’s arrival at Colombo the naval authorities were informed.