Chinese Pirate Attack on a British Ship in Larut in 1873

On September 16, 1873, a British ship, the Midge, was attacked by a group of Chinese pirates in the waters of Larut, Perak. During the attack, two British soldiers were seriously injured.

The unrest in Larut was said to stem from the conflict between the Hai San and Ghee Hin factions, which had spread beyond Larut to British territories in Seberang Prai and Penang. This chaos caused by the Chinese factions prompted British intervention. Colonel Anson had attempted to hold a meeting in Penang between the opposing factions in Larut, but the effort failed as disturbances and chaos continued.

Consequently, the British sent the ship Midge to the waters of Larut, which then sailed up the Larut River to combat the Chinese pirates who were constantly harassing traders using the waterway.

It was during this time that the British ship Midge was attacked by pirates fortified on the banks of the Larut River. The British subsequently sent the ship Thalia on September 20, 1873.

The ships Midge and Thalia joined forces to attack the Chinese pirate strongholds in Larut, destroying the fortifications on the banks of the Larut River and seizing two Chinese barges there.

Approximately 3,000 residents in the town of Larut, most of whom were Chinese, surrendered to the British.