- Author:
- Moor, J. H
- Publication Info:
-
Singapore:
no recorded publisher,
1837,
pg 16
Text on page 16
m MR. DALTON'S PAPERS ON BORNEO, and c.
In November 1827, a principal chief of pirates named Sindana, made a descent upon Mamoodgoo with forty-five prows, burnt three-fourths of a campong driving the rajah with bis family, amongst the mountains. Some scores of men were killed and three hundred made prisoners, besides women and children to half that amount. In December following when I was there, the people were slowly returning: from the bills, but had not yet attempted to re* build the campong which lay in ashes. The great fault of Koning the Mamoodjoo rajah appeared to be his friendly intention towards Europeans, During my stay there (ten weeks) the place was visited by two other piratical chiefs, one of which was from Kylie, the other from Mandbaar point, under Bem Bowan, who appeared to have charge of the whole; between them they had one hundred and thirty-four prows of all sizes. The Kylie rajah who first arrived, fired into the campong day and night, and took the small fishing boats within half a mile of tbe shore. On the appearance of Bern Bo wan, a stop was put to this hostility and the Kylie prows were sent off. Bern Bowan then came on shore and forced the Rajah to levy a general contribution, which was done. I saw him twice and made him a few trifling presents* but declined an invitation to visit him on board his prow. He made minute enquiries about me, and finding I had uo property did not trouble me. My property however would not have saved my lift, had be not understood letters bad already been sent to Makassar apprizing the Governor of my situation. The whole of these prows, likewise those of Sindana which destroyed the campong, wore Dutch colors; they however had others which were displayed Occasionally as a decoy.
Amongst the most desperate and successful pirates of the present day, Raga, is most distinguished. He is dreaded by people of all denominations, and universally known asaths Prince of Pirates.a For more than seventeen years this man has carried on a system of piracy to an extent never before known; his expeditions and enterprise would 611 a large volume. They have invariably been marked with singular cunning and intelligence, barbarity and reckless inattention to the shedding of human blood. He has emissaries every where, and has intelligence of the best description. It is truly wonderful bow this pirate and his associates beguile his European neighbours, from whom he easily manages to procure bis yearly supplies ef arms and ammunition; principally indeed through the intervention of his brother Agi Bota of Pergottan, his worthy associate and coadjutor. It was about the year 1813 Kag* commenced operations on a large scale. In that year he cut off three English vessels, killing tile captains with bis own band (exploits which, with many others of a similar kind beloves to dwell upon.) So extensive were his depredations about that period, that a proclamation was issued from Batavia signed by the Lieut. Governor declaring tbe east coast of Borneo from Banjermassin to Browe included, under strict blockade and prohibiting any intercourse between tbe interjacent native states and Europeans ports. Two British sloops of war scoured the coast; one of which, I believe the Etk, Captain Reynolds, was attacked during the dark by Ragaas own prow, who* unfortunately was not on board at tbe time. This particular prow, which Raga personally commanded and the loss of which he frequently laments^ carried ei^ht guns and was full of his best meow He had himself landed at Pergottan a feis days previously and sent off the prow with a favorite panglima (or commander) to pick up any small things winch might be seen off point Salatan. A European vessel was/aintljr rfescryed about three oaclock one foggy morning; the rain fell in torrents; the time, tha weather, were favorable circumstances for a surprize, and the panglima, determined to distinguish himself in the absence of rajah Raga, gave diiections to close, fire the guns, and board. He was the more confident of success as the European, vessel was observed to keep away out of her proper course on approaching her. On getting within about hundred fathoms ofthe pariah vessel as they supposed her to he, they fired their broadside (4 guns) gave a loud shout and with their long oars pulled towards their prey* The sound of adrurn beating to quarters no sooner struck the ear of tbe astonished panglima, than be endeavoured to get away, bat it was too late; the ports were opened and a broadside, accompanied witb three British cheers, gave sure indications of their fate. The panglima hailed the English captain and would fain persuade him a it was a mistake it was indeed a mistake, and one not to be rectified by the panglima's Malayan explanation* The prow was sunk by repeated broad-sides* and tbfe commanding officer refused to pick up any si the people, who* wtf* Ibe excep-tion of fife, were drowned, These after floating fow days oasome spar^mei* Aiek#d *phjtAmongst the most desperate and successful pirates of the present day, Raga, is most distinguished. He is dreaded by people of all denominations, and universally known asa ths Prince of Pirates.a For more than seventeen years this man has carried on a system of piracy to an extent never before known; his expeditions and enterprise would 611 a large volume. They have invariably been marked with singular cunning and intelligence, barbarity and reckless inattention to the shedding of human blood. He has emissaries every where, and has intelligence of the best description. It is truly wonderful bow this pirate and his associates beguile his European neighbours, from whom he easily manages to procure bis yearly supplies ef arms and ammunition; principally indeed through the intervention of his brother Agi Bota of Pergottan, his worthy associate and coadjutor. It was about the year 1813 Kag* commenced operations on a large scale. In that year he cut off three English vessels, killing tile captains with bis own band (exploits which, with many others of a similar kind beloves to dwell upon.) So extensive were his depredations about that period, that a proclamation was issued from Batavia signed by the Lieut. Governor declaring tbe east coast of Borneo from Banjermassin to Browe included, under strict blockade and prohibiting any intercourse between tbe interjacent native states and Europeans ports. Two British sloops of war scoured the coast; one of which, I believe the Etk, Captain Reynolds, was attacked during the dark by Ragaa s own prow, who* unfortunately was not on board at tbe time. This particular prow, which Raga personally commanded and the loss of which he frequently laments^ carried ei^ht guns and was full of his best meow He had himself landed at Pergottan a feis days previously and sent off the prow with a favorite panglima (or commander) to pick up any small things winch might be seen off point Salatan. A European vessel was/aintljr rfescryed about three oa clock one foggy morning; the rain fell in torrents; the time, tha weather, were favorable circumstances for a surprize, and the panglima, determined to distinguish himself in the absence of rajah Raga, gave diiections to close, fire the guns, and board. He was the more confident of success as the European, vessel was observed to keep away out of her proper course on approaching her. On getting within about hundred fathoms ofthe pariah vessel as they supposed her to he, they fired their broadside (4 guns) gave a loud shout and with their long oars pulled towards their prey* The sound of adrurn beating to quarters no sooner struck the ear of tbe astonished panglima, than be endeavoured to get away, bat it was too late; the ports were opened and a broadside, accompanied witb three British cheers, gave sure indications of their fate. The panglima hailed the English captain and would fain persuade him a it was a mistake it was indeed a mistake, and one not to be rectified by the panglima's Malayan explanation* The prow was sunk by repeated broad-sides* and tbfe commanding officer refused to pick up any si the people, who* wtf* Ibe excep-tion of fife, were drowned, These after floating fow days oasome spar^mei* A iek#d *phjt
