Kumpits
Kumpits are small wooden 2/3 crew inter-island trading boats plying their trade around Borneo and the islands of the South China Sea as far as Singapore,their cargoes usually comprise Island produce on it's way to market or consumer goods for the Island inhabitants. Ben Bryant of Cardiff served on HMS Lincoln/Camperford/Greatford and Cleopatra from 1962 to 67 and during the Confrontation was engaged on night stop and search operations together with units from RAN and RNZN looking for Indonesian Kumpits carrying arms,ammunition or enemy personnel. Ben relates that initially the Kumpits were bought alongside the arresting vessel but on at least one occassion the crew,once tied up alongside the mine sweeper, lit a fuse to the explosives they were carrying,jumped overboard and swam off. In the subsequent explosion the side of the mine sweeper was blown in and several crew killed,thereafter the Kumpits were stopped and searched some distance away from the arresting vessel. Those found to be carrying articles of war were sunk on the spot by LMG fire (Ben manned the Starboard Bridge Bren) and twin Vickers mounted as bow chasers,captured crew were handed over to the civilian Police. more Kumpit stories welcome.