ATTACK ON A STEAMER BY PIRATES.

Western Star, Issue 1077, 30 October 1886, Page 2

ATTACK ON A STEAMER BY PIRATES.

The following details have been received at (Greenock of the desperate attack by Atchinese pirates upon the Hok Cantou, a steamer in the service of the Dutch Government, trading between Penang and ports on the coast of Atchin, in the island of Sumatra : “ The Hok Canton arrived off tho coast of Atchin, about seven o’clock in the morning, and was boarded by 200 Atchinese, who came off in three large junks. Just afterwards, the chief engineer came on deck from the engine-room and was at once attacked. Although unarmed he succeeded in fighting his way through his assailants, and reached the forecastle unhurt ; but when in the act of ascending tho ladder he received his death-blow. It was subsequently found that he had received no fewer than forty wounds on the body, while both his hands had been chopped off, The mate was shortly afterwards shot dead on the spot. On his body also a great many wounds were inflicted. Captain Handson, who now came on deck, was met by a group of Atchinese, and was severely wounded. In bis despair he jumped overboard, and was followed by his wife, who had also received several blows. The ship’s boat was in the water at the time, and in it were six sailors, who were endeavouring to escape. They picked up both Captain Hanson and his wife, and were trying to go away when the Atchinese once more got hold of them and bound them all. The whole of the crew were bound with ropes, and the ship was plundered. One of the sailors of the Hok Canton escaped from the Atchinese, and brought the nows that Captain Handsou died about two hours

after the party lauded, uud that Mrs Handson uud Pay, the second engineer, were getting on well. A message has beeu sent demanding 50.000 dollars, as a ransom for tlie prisoners. Three Dutch ships of war, with about 400 soldiers on board, have been sent in pursuit of the marauding Atchiaese.”