New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-17
DESTRUCTION OF A PIRATE.
Gallantry of Our Navy.


We copy the following details from Wes-
tern papers, the report being much fuller
than we received by telegraph:
SAN Francisco, July 11.-Advices from
MaZatlan to July l, say that after leaving
Guayamas, the steamer Forward, with two
sailing vessels, proceeded to Chico, in the
charged, it is said, portion of the cargo,
and sent the Topic forward. They after
ward proceeded up the Tecoapan river forty
miles, when the authorities Of Mazatlan,
who had heard of her from Guayamas, in
conjunction with the American consul and
merchants, urged Captain How, Of the
steamer MOhican, to pursue the Forward.
He consented, and after cruising some time,
the Mohican proceeded to San Bias and
thence to Chillica, where he ascertained the
whereabouts of the Forward. She sailed
up the mouth of the TecOapan on June It,
Captain Low at once sent an expedition
of six boats and sixty men up the river to
capture the Forward. Upon nearing the
steamer boat was seen to leave her. She
was hailed, and refused to stop, when orders
were given and Obeyed to fire.
The MeXicans on the bank Immediately
opened deadly fire on the boats from five
twelve-pounders. and from the infantry
force. Ensign Wainwright and the cox
swain of the boat were killed.
The expedition, however, captured and
destroyed the Forward, and took as pris-
oners George Holding, first officer; James
Lee, second officer E. W. johnson, engineer;
and H. Martin, Harry Koch and Joseph
Hughbeck, seamen.
The expedition retreated down the river
through running fire from the bank. No
more were killed. but six were wounded.
The latter were placed aboard the steamer
and carefully tended. The Mohican at
once returned to Mazatlan, and the prison
ers were delivered to the Mexican authOri-
ties. Even the representations of the
American consul failed to procure them any
consideration: The charity Of foreigners
was appealed to, and they promptly re-
sponded. The poor fellows were made COM
paratively comfortable. They all pleaded
innocence in regard to the piracy which is
charged against them. After an examna-
ton before Judge NJ. A. Catlin they were
all sent to Guayamas for trial. Ensign
Wainwlight's body was brought here on the
steamer Continental.
The following are the wounded of the
MOhican:
F.. w, Townson. c. B. Scott. Thomas Oar
ley, j. G. Mcintyre, William p. Higgins,
James Walsh.
Killed: Ensign Wainwright, James Don
nalley. coxswain. Wainwright's body will
be sent to New York.
Lieutenant Brown, who commanded the
expedition. says that Governor Dinaloo,
Consul SESSION and other prominet persons
urged Captain Low to destroy the Forward.
which was not only piratical vessel, but
in their opinion intended to seize one of the
Panama steamers.
The expedition found the steamer
aground. 1t was impossible to move her.
She was fired and burned to the waters
edge.
Various opinions prevailed at Mazatlan,
where Governor Rube is the commander
now. The lower classes sympathize with
Vega and speak of Mexican waters as under
foreign influence. A better class approve
the action taken.
General Vallejo and Raimund Dezaldo,
prominent Calitornians, friends Of Vega,
are owners of the Forward.