The History Of Penang Port Russian Buoy

We keep uttering and using the verb of 'Russian Buoy' to indicate position and guideline for in / outbound vessels meant for manouvering within the port but there is a very interesting long story  behind the bouy which was the only incident happen in WW1 where Penangites were living peacefully under the Strait Settlement.

After the outbreak of the war, the German East Asia Squadron left the base in Tsinghao, China and headed for Germany but one ship, the light cruiser SMS  Emden under Lt Commander Karl Von Muller was sent on a solitary raiding mission.

In the early hours of 28th October 1914,  the Emden which had been preying upon British merchant vessels in the waters off China and Southeast Asia, entered Penang Port disguished as an allied vessel and flying the Russian flag. Nearing the Zhemchug, the Emden lowered its Russina flag and raised the German flag before firing a torpedo at it while most of the people of penang were still deep in sleep just before dawn when the first apparently missed but the second one did not and sank it by surprise with 85 crew members died.

Near Swettenham Pier, a red port-buoy marks the resting place of the the Imperial Russian navy's  Zhemchung with LOA of 110.95m with 354 officers and crewman  was undergoing repairs at the port.

Why did the German crusier bring down the Russian flag and fly its own German flag before attacking the Zhemchug? Under the international code of naval warfare it was permissible for a ship to disguise itself, including using a false flag, to come near an enemy vessel but it is required to display its real flag before firing and she did it. 

At least we have an interesting story to tell about Penang Port Russian Bouy.                                       - Capt Muhammad Ismail Mohd Noor