The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-13
HORRORS OF 1HE SEA.
Fate of the Peruvian Coolie
Ship Don Juan.
Mutiny Of the Celestials-The Ship
-.iS%~'
Set on Fire.
The Grew Take to the Boats and Leave the
Coolies In Their Burning Tomb.
Six Hundred Coolies Perish
i'm the Flames.
A Portion Of the Crew and Fifty
Chinese Saved.
SAN FRANCISCO. June IL, 1871.

Don Juan, winch lett MACAO on tle 4tn OF May
with cargo of coolies for Peru The inlor-
nation came from Macao, from which place
the crew, together with eight Cinnamon
had escaped and also brought by fifty coolies
who had been rescued by junk which was passing
ana brought on to this port. The Don Juan landed
at Macao taking
$50 COOLIES ON BOARD
for Peru. She was only permitted to convey them
npon her change of 0ag as the San Salvadorian
ship Dolores ugarte. She not allowed to carry
coolies by the government OF Macao, therefore she
was sold to a Peruvian, or by the pro tenn Consul
declared national and hoisted the Peruvian flag.
She left Macao the 4th OF May, being towed to
by the steamer White Cloud, and on the 9th
WAS BURNT TO WATERS EDGE,
not more than fifty miles from Hongkong. The
coolies who have arrived in HOngkong give various
particulars OF the catastrophe which are
worthy being noted though they must, Of
course, be accepted with caution. 1t ap-
pears, however, so for as 1t is possible to
Judge, that the men not in any way combined
together, and though this contingency must always
be borne in mind in accepting Chinese statements,
there does not appear to conclude that in the
accounts they have given to the superintendent OF
the Jail and others they have done otherwise than
state facts so far under the exciting and terrible
circumstances they could understand them. The
theory Is that the fire must have been accidental
and have originated aft in a Lazarette, where the
stores and ships materials kept. They all
aver that their treatment by the officers
and crew was humane and that they had
nothing whatever to complain Of either
TO their allowance OF food its quality guam
tity, and their statement OF their idea Is that the
whole AFFAIR was simply accidental. The other view
in question: namely, that the
VESSEL WAS SIT ON FIRE
by designing men among the Chinese is not lmpos-
sible, but there Is dlicult, In accepting this from
rhe fact that rule, the bulkhead
dividing the main hold from the lazarette
would be OF very hard wood ana from
four to Ave inches thick, and would probably he
thickly studded with broad nails, which would ef.
fectlvely prevent saws or other carpenters tools
being used without being easily heard the ship.
ON the other hand, there Is doubt that any cooe
could easily conceal much mint and steel
about him would make fire ut any
moment and It is well known that they are
most skilful IN concealing material for getting
lights 1t Is, therefore, quite possible that the fire
might have originated among the coolies, either by
design or accident, In which case 1t Is quite certain
ahat no evidence with regard toit would be got from
any Of these men. If the fire originated below 1t
would spread with the greatest rap,diry, as
the doOlie, or false deck, was usually made
Of soft wood, which would burn like
iOuchwood, as no doubt II has been the ship
since last voyage aud would be diy as chip. In
reply to a question, one OF the men first
said they had no head men, and after.
wards, being closer pressed stated that all
the head men had been drowned. Very careful
inquiry failed to elicit anything more definite as 10
the origin OF the fire than given above, and the
manner n which replies are given makes 1t evident
that if an Official investigation takes place. It will
he found very difficult to get at the truth Of the
mater. Some Of the men, however, are quite clear
IN this statement that no explosion was heard when
The fire broke out. With regard to the
most important point-namely, the question whether
the holds were opened TO admit the escape OF the
men. The whole OF them agree that foreigner came
and pried locks and bolts on with a crowhar, calling
ont,
''RUN SAVE LiFE ~
and Incident OF some importance is related in con.
nectlOn with this namely, that some or the men
were looking out OF the grangs at the time to
s,focatIon from the SMOKE thus showing that the fire
whatever way it originated. must have broken ont
below and well ait. One Of the men distinctly AYERS
ne heard an
EXPLOSION OF GUNpow DER
ait and also smelt a strong smell OF It, Others, again.
say they did not hear any report; that they
were nearly overpowered by the sckenng
smell OF the ships material burning art II is to be
regretted that the European who had the humanity
TO open the matches did not succeed In saving his
own life as he was overtaken by the coolies. VINO
made rush at The boat which was waiting for him
aud q general scramble occurred to get to
{, the Europeans using arms TO prevent the
coolies getting in II, in the course OF which
ono who has now gone to the hospital was hit on
the leg In the course Of this scramble several
Chinese were drowned The boat, however ult-
,natey succeeded in getting clear OF the ship but
mad not gone far when 1t upset. in sight OF but not
within reach Of the coolies. The coolies seem
TO have had little leisure to look around, wnen they
observed the other three boats at distance. Dur
ing tins time all the materials OF the ship were rap
idly burning. and
LARGE NUMBER PERIsHFD IN THE HOLD,
some Of whom were no doubt euffOcated. but from
Others the cries which made we're plteous.
Many, however Jumped into the water ana escaped
by drowning the more horrible death by Grc.
While the luckless the deck and on
the bowsprit In this position one of the masts
fortunately gave way and the men at once mace
Sucll efforts rs they could TO reach II.
cLIaGINa TO THE MAST FOR LIFE
Having got 10 it they clung on with despera.
ton, calling out as loud they could to save
Me. they had not been long In the water
before fishing junk came mp and they were taken
off, two or three a, time, IN small sampau. The
mast was held ON the wreck by wire rigging or 1t
would otherwise undoubtedly have drfed away to
sea- The coolies state there were no less than
FIFTY EUROPEANS ON THE VESSEL
SO that 1t remains 10 be seen what become OF them
Some, no doubt were lost IN the boat that
swamped. We hear this morning that the
man who was shot 10 the leg and sent
10 the hospital to have his burns cured
In co nsidercd to have little chance OF recovery
Should bis death occur doubtless full investtgs-
tion OF the mater Will he made before the Coroner
From Macao 1t reported that
TnIRry-FrvE OF THE CREW RAVE ARRIVED
there, and that they are unanimous IN stating the
coolies mutnled and set fire TO the ship ait IN
hopes OF forcing I'LL forward and so take
the vessel. 1t seems they thought that the
are could be extlngulshed afterwards This state
ment Of the affair Is certainly not I'm probable and