The
Hague, 13 September. In newspapers of Java was a news item published Batavia
dated 7 May based on a tiding from Macassar according to which arrived in the
afternoon of 26 February 3 sloops of the Belgian merchant brig le Charles
commanded by lieutenant 3rd class Ch. Hoed of the Royal Belgian navy. The brig
underway from Singapore towards Manila was off the river Coety, Borneo in
Macassar Strait stranded and attacked by pirates. According to an official
tiding was she 17 February stranded when using a wind coming from the land when
by daybreak some prows were sighted coming from the river Coety and Pamaroeng
Strait assembling behind the brig out of range of her guns. The prows were
signing each other with shots and quite soon were altogether with 24 well
manned prows while were coming. Hoed decided after a consideration with his
crew to leave the ships using three sloops. All efforts to get her floating
again were not successful despite using all means and throwing a part of the
cargo over board. While heavy shooting the prows approached entering her on
port side while Hoed leave her on starboard. Thanks to lacking wind the sloops
escaped despite being pursued for quite a time. After 10 days with contrary
winds and bad weather and lacking fresh water they arrived 26 February at
Macassar.
