The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-27
THRILLING Aaventurc--An Ercounter
xss,s
merchantmen.

Merchantmen. ss,l sytS ffsa ssc.s44sEs.
Z On Saturday the North German bark
Apenrade arrived OF New York from Wam-
poa, China, after o voyage OF one hundred
and six days. The crew tell a thrilling
sale OF an encounter with pirates in the
Canton river. In December, 1868, the,
Apenrade left Hamburg for Singapore,
Siam, Bangkok, Hong Kong, For1nosa, and
Tam-sui. When laden with Ave. hundred
and seventy tons Of tea she sailed for New
York on the 2lst of September last. on the
oath the vessel arrived within sight OF
Macao, and, as there we're head winds and
calm alternating, anchor was dropped IN
the outer roads of the latter port. The
pilot WIS discharged close to Patol Island,
and sail was subsequently made. -, 2f
AT twilight the river ,swarmed with Chi
nese hunks bound in from sea. Asthis WIGS
no infrequcnt occurrence, the circumstance
was not noticed. Suddenly there was dead
calm, and the vessel commenced drifting
towards the lee shore. All sails we're set,
but to no effect; and as the captain was
about again to anchor o large junk ran
across the Apenrade's STERN. Suddenly she
tackled and approached within two lengths
of the vessel, and bringing her broadsidc
to the Apenrade, she opened lire. Six guns
poured in grape and canister, which tore
away the bulwarks and boats, smashing the
upper works and scattering the splinters in
every direction. Instantly the pirate laid
alongside the bark, whose crew were ready
to receive the pirates, half a hundred OF
whom sprang from their concealment, and,
with revolyers in hand, boarded the bark.
The captain was shot in the breast, but al
ter slightly recovering he was persuaded to
ascend the mizzentop.
The crew, being oyerpowered, lied to the
main and fore-chains, where they were dis
covered and guarded by the pirates. A
seaman was killed, and the mate received
a terrible wound upon the top of his head.
After making inquiries for money and
opium, the savages rushed into the cabin
and stripped it of charts, quadrants,
glasses, barometers, and twenty-eight dol
lars. Then they broke open the cargo, and
with wonderful GOODNESS began to pass half
chests of tea into their junk. While this
was going on they caused the anchor to be
dropped and about thirty fathoms of chain
paved out. When about 100 half-chests
had been transferred to the junk cry was
raised that o steamer was IN sight, which
subsequently was ascertained to be Canton
river trader. The pirates then left after
stealing all the boats, and Captain David
son at once, feeling that time was oil i'm
portant, slipped cable, and, as the wind
fortunately began to freshen, made for
Macao, where he arrived that night.
The vessel presented an awful sight.
The lower part of the rigging and sails
were cut and riddlcd in hundred places
by the pirates guns, SO that they were use
less. The decks were charred by burning
stink-pots. All the arms used by the pl-
rates were of the most improved manufac-
ture.
On the arrival of the Apenrade at Macao,
the Portuguese authorities dispatched the
runboat Canoes in search of the piratical
Junk, but returned without etecting any
result.
while the Apenrade was en- route for New
York the China agents of the vessel learned
that the pirate was atterward taken oy
Chinese runboat commanded by On Amerl-
can named Edwards. 1t seems that the
Junk was overhauled in the afternoon, and
She was ut once ordered to lie to. This not
being done, fight took place, and the pl-
rate fought desperately, but they were
finally forced to surrender. Many of them
took to the water, and attempted to swim
for the shore, which was not far distant.
It was found that some eighteen or twenty
of the pirates had been killed the bodies
of seven or eight were found on the junk's
deck. -
From information received at Macao,
whittier the prizewas towed en- route to
Canton, there is reason to believe that the
Junk combined coolie-catching with her
other avocations. When encountered by
the Cheuto she was bound according to the
prisoners statement) for the coast of Hal.
nan, the well-known cruising ground OF
both pirates and kidnappers. ~
Some of the murdcrous weapons used by
the pirates are still with Captain Davidson,
one of them being the short sword, of steel,
twenty inches long in blade and one and q
quarter inches wide. 1t is a terrible wea-
pom. The Apenrade is Of 3l5 tons burden,
and $50 feet long.