AZAMBUJA MARTINS
Coloane - Operações Militares contra Piratas, 1910, Macau.
An interesting photographically illustrated account of military operations against pirates around Coloane island in 1910.
In June 1910 a group of 17 schoolchildren were taken hostage by pirates from Coloane, who demanded a large ransom for their release. When it turned out that several of the children came from Christian families, the bishop of Macao pleaded with his government for strong action and a number of warships were sent to Coloane to deal with the issue. On July 10 the village where the pirates were assumed to be hiding was bombed resulting in the death of numerous innocent civilians. The pirates had already left and were hiding in caves further inland. During following weeks fifteen of the hostages were freed and although most of the pirates managed to escape the operations were hailed a great success.
