We finally have been able to ascertain the recent events in the South China Sea.
Ever since the increasing reports of piracy, the Armada has been vigorously patrolling the waters of Macao and San Hainando. On the 27th of the last month, P5 that had been patrolling the waters of San Hainando caught a SOS from a freighter in the vicinity and went to full steam to investigate and assist. She found a freighter that had been stopped by 2 large, heavily armed junks, which she hailed and ordered to strike their colours. Both ships opened fire on the gunboat and started broadcasting. P5 returned fire and damaged one of the junks when a protected cruiser carrying no flag showed up on the scene and opened fire on P5. P5 took heavy damage and would have sunk, if not the Iberian scout cruiser Torquemada had shown up on the scene whereupon the pirate cruiser fled. Torquemada had to remain ion scene to render assistance to P5 which she slowly towed into San Hainando, where she is now docked.
The Armada mourns the loss of 31 seamen dead and 76 wounded. Additional forces have been sent to the region and the Battleship Andalucia which is on a world cruise and her squadron are proceeding at high speed from Honolulu to Macao.
Friday, May 31st 2024, 9:02pm
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