Captain Shot by Pirates

Captain Shot by Pirates - Portuguese Vessel Looted

The str Kwan Chau Wan, flying the Portuguese flag, was held upby pirates while on a voyage from Kwanchauwan (1) to Macao on the 9th instant. About 8.30 p.m., when the vessel was off St John's Island, a number of pirates, who had secured passages, went to the captain's cabin and awakened him. They held revolvers in their hands, and the captain immediately realized what was on foot. He appears to have made a motion as if to secure his revolver, when one of the robbers shot him twice, with fatal results. They also shot the Chinese compradore in the leg, the quartermaster and also a Chinese, but happily these were not seriously injured. The remainder of the crew were powerless, and the pirates took charge of the steamer, and left her only after they had appropriated everything worth taking, which could be conveniently conveyed away. When they left, the ship was steered by the crew to Macao. The Portuguese authorities were acquainted with what had occurred and they promptly boarded the vessel and conducted a rigorous inquiry into the affair. The unfortunate Captain, Mr J. X. Jesus was well known as a very capable officer and was much liked by all who knew him.

In The North China Herald, 20.12.1913

Até meados do século XX os actos de pirataria foram uma constante nas águas do delta do rio das Pérolas. Esta notícia é de 1913 e do ataque à embarcação Kwan Chau  Wan resultou a morte de J. X. Jesus, comandante do vapor Kwan Chau Wan.

(1) - Concessão francesa na China