393.115/10–1740: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 17—5:07 a. m.]
4374. Mytel 4353, October 16. On Consulate General’s request, A. P. Pattison sent wireless to Master [of] Flying Trader asking details of firing on his ship and subsequent release by Nationalist warship. Message from Master just received states:
“When passing Kiutoan buoy, was ordered by blinker from Chinese warship to stop but continued full speed, ignoring his signals, whereupon he fired tracer passing between our fore and mainmasts. At request, anchored. He anchored close by, requesting us to remain, awaiting orders from his Government. At 0735 hrs next day (October 16), warship signal us to go on our way and left us.”
For information Department, Kiutoan Spit buoy located E. longitude 121–68–80, N. latitude 31–7–36 in Yangtze estuary.
Sent Department 4374; repeated Chungking 1157, Taipei 383, Hong Kong 320.