The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-13
MEXICO.


Destruction Of tho Filib ustering Steamer
Forward by tho United States Steamer
nlohican, on the Wost Coast-The Americans
Fired on by the Mexicans ShOre-Ensign
Wainwright, OF the Mohican, and One of
His Men Killed.
SAN FRANCISCO July II. 1870.
The steamship Continental, from Mazatlan July
l, brings $526, 900 IN Mexican dollars
There had been heavy rains and waterspouts in
the valleys, doing considerable damage to property
and driving the Inhabitants to the mountains.
by this arrival further particulars of the capture
OF the ilioustering zteamer Forward by the United
States steamer Mohican were received. After leav.
Ing Guaymas the Forward with the two sailing yes
sells In tow, proceeded to Chcola in the South San
Bias district where Losadas' vessels discharged
their cargoes. portion OF which, 1t Is said, was
sent to Tepec. The Forward then proceeded forty
miles up the river.
When the authorities OF Mazatan heard Of the
raid on Guaymas they. conformity with the Ameri.
can Consul and the merchants, urged Captain Low
Of the United States steamer Mohican to pursue the
Forward He consented, and after cruising for some
time the Mohican proceeded TO San Bias and then to
Chihica. and there ascertained the whereabouts OF
the Forward.
The Mohcan reached the mouth OF the river June
10, and Captain Low at once sent an expedition OF
boats, with sixty men, up the river to "cut outr che
nlbuster. When the Mohican's boats were nearing
the Forward they observed boat leaving the side
OF the vessel and hailed II. The Forwards boat re.
fused to stop, the Ollcer In command Of the Mohi-
can expedition gave the order to fire upon 1t, which
was promptly obeyed. At the same moment the
Mexcans on the river bank opened heavy
IRE from battery OF five twelve-pounders, sup.
ported by infantry. Ensign Wainwright and the
cOxswain Of one OF the Mohcan's boats were killed.
The expedition, however, captured and destroyed
tho Forward and took the following prsoners:-
George Holding, first ofllcer; James Lee, second
officer; E. W. Johnson, engineer, and II. Martin,
Harry Keoch and Joseph Highoeck, seamen.
The expedition returned down the river under
running fire from the bank, but there were no fur.
Their casualties. The wounded prisoners were taken
on board the steamer and carefully tended. Tho
MOhican returned Immediately TO Mazatan and the
prisoners were deveredto the Mexican authorities,
who treated them shamefully. Even the representa-.
tons of the American Consul failed to procure them
any consideration. Charitable foreigners were the
appealed to and powerfully responded, ard the
poor fellows were made comfortable. They all
pleaded innocence with regard to the charge Of
piracy, and after an examination before Judge In
Mazatlan were sent to Guaymas for trial.
The body OF Ensign Wainwright was brought 10
San Francisco by the steam r Co ntinentai.
More About the Mexican Pirate Forward-The
Names Of the Dead aud Wounded OF the
MOLicnn.
SAN FRANCISCO July IL, 1870.
The following Is q list OF the Killed and wounded
OF the United States steamer Mohlcan In the engage
ment between the expedition from that vessel and
the pirate steamer MISUNDERSTANDING Vain.
wright and Coxswain James Donneil. Wounded
L. w. Tounrow, G. B. Scott Thomas Daley, J. c.
Mcintyre, William H. Higgins and John WEIGH.
Ensign Wainwright's body VIII be sent to New
York. Lieuteant Brown. who commanded the expe.
dition says the Governor OF Sinaloa Consul Sisson
and several other prominent persons urged Captain
Low to destroy the Forward as she Was not only
plratical vessel IN Mexican waters. but, in their
opinion, intended to seize OF the Panama steam.
ers. The expedition fonnd the steamer aground, and
1t being impossible to move her, she was fired and
burned to the waters edge.
There are various opinions in Mazatlan, where
Governor Rubi Ia commander now. The lower
classes sympathize with Pacido Vega and speak OF
the foreign influence prevailing In Mexican waters
The better classes approve the action taken. Gen.
eral valleJa and Raymunds Dessado. prominent
Californlans, and friends Of Vega, were the owners
OF the Forward.