The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-25
THRILLING ADVENTURE.
An Encounter with Pirates-Brave Resistance
of q NIerchantman.


On Saturday the North German bark Apenrade
arrived at New York from Whampoa, China,
after q voyage of one hundred and six days. The
crew tell thrilling tale of an encounter with
pirates in the Canton river. In December, 1868,
the Apenrade left Hamburg for Singapore, Siam,
Bangkok, Hong Kong, Formosa, and Tam-Sui.
When laden with five hundred and seventy tons
of tea she sailed for New York, on the 21st of
September last. On the Gath the vessel arrived
within sight of Macao, and, as there were
head winds and calm alternating, anchor was
dropped in the outer roads off the latter
port. The pilot was discharged close to Patol
Island, and sail was subsequently made. At
twilight the river swarmed with Chinese junks
bound in from sea. AS this was no infrequent
occurrence, the circumstance was not noticed.
Suddenly there was deadcalm, and the vessel
commenced drifting towards the lee shore. All
sails were set but to no effect, and as the cap
tain was about again to anchor, large junk
ran across the Apenrade's stern. Suddenly she
tackled, and approached within two lengths of
the vessel, and bringing her broadsde to the
Apenrade she opened fire. Six guns poured in
grape and canister, which tore away the bull
warks and boats, smashing the upper works and
scattering the splinters in every direction. In
stanty the pirate laid alongside the barque,
whose crew were ready to receive the pirates,
half o hundred of whom sprang from their con-
cealment; and with revolvers in hand boarded
the barque. The captain was shot in the breast,
but after slightly recovering he was persuaded
to ascend the mizzentop.
The crew, being overpowered, fled to the main
and fore-chains, where they were discovered
and guarded by the pirates. seaman was
killed, and the mate received a terrible wound
upon the top of his head. After making inqui-
ries for money and opium, the savages rushed
into the cabin and stripped it of charts, qua
drants, glasses, barometers, and $28. 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 30 fathoms
of chain paved out. When about 100 haf-chests
haA haarN from IN fha innly
raised that steamer was in sight, which subse-
quently was ascertained to be Canton river
trader. The pirates then left, after stealing all
the boats, and Captain Davidson at once, feeling
that time was all-important, 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
riddled in a hundred places by the pirates guns,
so that they were useless. The decks were
charred by burning stink pots. All the arms
used by the pirates were OF the most improved
manufacture.
On the arrival of the Apenrade at Macao, the
Portuguese authorities despatched the gun5oat
Canoes in search OF the piratical junk, but re-
turned without effecting any result.
While the Apenrade was en- route for New
York, the China agents of the vessel learned
that the pirate was afterward taken by a Chinese
gunboat commanded by an American named
Edwards. 1t seems that the junk was over
hauled In the afternoon, and she was at once
ordered to lie to. This not being DONE a fight
took place, and the pirates 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 18 or 20 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 prize was towed en- route to Canton, there
is reason to believe that the junk combined
coolie-catching with her other avocations
When encountered by the Chento, she was bound,
according to the prisoners statement for the
coast of IIainan, the well-known cruising ground
of both pirates and kidnappers.