The New York herald., 1873-12-01
PIRACY IN THE BAY.

PIRACY IN THE BAY.
Seven Masked Men shoot the Captain or
the Brig Mattan0-Over $500 Worth OF
Property Stolen.
The early hours Of yesterdays Sabbath morn
witnessed dabolical attempt at murder on board
the American brig Mattano mOored within hailing
distance Of the Battery and in close proximity to
Castle Garden. Seven masked men in boat with
mufled oars came alongside the vessel in question
at about two O'Clock. and with catlike footsteps,
had made their way on deck before two men on
watch had notice OF their approach. Making their
way aft, across the casks OF petroleum which cover
the deck, one OF the pirates Knocked ut the cabin
door and asked for admittance, saying that they
came from the harbor police. The door was not
opened promptly enough, and a second afterwards
shot was fired through the cabin door,
apparently from Derringer pistol, which
hit the Captain in the leg little below the knee
pan, breaking the leg bone and causing him to fall
helpless on the cabin floor. The robbers subse-
quently plundered the vessel and carried or over
$500 worth OF booty and made their escape unmo-
Tested, threatening the Captain that ir he made
any alarm they would blow his brains out.
While the church bells were ringing for early
service HERALD reporter made his way down to
the Battery, and after taking boat found himself
few minutes later on the deck or the Mattano
Near the caboose the steward was seen washing
dishes with large piece of sticking plaster on his
left temple, where the r2fiians mad struck
him while asleep in his berth, and they told him
to keep his mouth shut II ever he wanted
to leave that ship alive In reply to the report
er's inquiry If he could see the Captain, the
steward said, "Yes, If you viii wait o minute, I'll
go and tell him you are here. We don't know,
after what has occurred, who people are, SO we
have got to be careful. The Captain is wounded
very dangerously, but have no doubt he will re-
cerve you.n In few minutes the reporter was ad-
mitted to the Captains room. The wounded man,
Notwithstanding the pain he was in, mustered
courage to tell his story, which was as follows:-
THE CAPTAINS STATEMENT.
Ny name is 7. H. Connauton, and am the owner
OF this vessel, and intended sailing for Liverpool
tomorrow, with q cargo OF about go tons OF Pc
troleum oil. My crew were here yesterday, but
Left TO 60 back to the Sailors Home in Cherry
street. to get their traps before coming on board
tomorrow tMonday). Last evening, all being in
readiness to clear at the Custom House on
Monday, came on board early in the evening. at
two O'Clock in the morning heard strange foot
steps on deck, as my wife did also and heard
some one say. 81 belong 10 the water police;
want to see the captainn then got up out OF my
berth, and was advancing towards the door to let
the pretended 0nlcers when heard whisper
ing of many voices, and second later heard the
report oil pistol You can see the big hole In the
door there through which 1t came; and found
l could not move, and SO my good wife Maggie
opened the door. Seven masked men then entered
saa nSt wn they Wanted ali
and valuables. told them | had merely a little
money. The leader OF the party, Captain Jack. or
Jake as they called him, said 1t good lying
and that they knew had large quantity on
board, for they had been told So They then pulled
| way. one OF them said, laughingy, you're big
| chap losing little blood won't hurt your Ny
but the only answer they made 10 her was. "Yon u
| take care OF the kids and mind your own bus
ness-n Ny three children sat on my bed, scream
ing with fright and saying "D0n't murder father
! Had it not been for my vile believe they would
have murdered me. The men then commenced
searching every drawer and receptacle round the
cabin. They took the
RINGS OFF OUR FINGERS
that Is, my wlie's and my own@blt lett her ner
had long scar on the lett side OF his face, reach
ing from his eye to his mouth. They took our two
had bought In Rio Janeiro, and worth, perhaps,
$780,. One OF nay wites rings mad thirteen dia.
chains. My wiie pleaded with tears in her ewes to
let her have her chain back 10 which attached
locket both having belonged to dead sister OF
hers. At first they relented and said she should
have IL If she cared for it SO much,
and put it down, but subsequently tney1
All my wife's wardrobe turned out OF her
boxes and thrown down for examination on the
noor and got soiled from the bloody pool which
came from my leg Fortunately, my chronometer
was not on board. In spite OF my telling them
that they might look where they chose they be-
lieved that l was hiding something from them:
they kept on dragging me around TO torture me
and make me reveal where other valuables were.
one OF them SAID, 'lf you don't tell us where tpe
money is we VIII throw you overboardr and they
were proceeding TO do so when my wie's supplica-
Granny cram % and nook they could think OF they took &
large amount OF valuable SILK from my wife, which
she she was going to MAKE assroa into dresses % on
a check for 81 COZ IL they would leave the property
and said that the check should be paid and no
questions asked, bat they would not believe her.
fbelieye am speaking within bounds when say
that upwards OF $500 worth oil property was
seized. With the men cursing and swearing. with
the children crying, and my poor wife half dis
tracted, II was perfectly prstIca scene. The fell
lows stopped here for an hour ana hall
their leave they said that II ventured TO give any
alarm they would come back and ''cook my NUT
ton atogether.p In my opinion, hanging ~ too
good Tor such fellows. am native OF this city,
and have sailed out OF this port for Il years. p.t
have no recollection OF similar outrage.
- WHAT HAPPENED r0 THE WATCH.
Inc hrst mate. Peter Robinson, was on deck, on
watch, when the fellows boarded the snip They
stined stne nm win mqiler round his throat and
lastened him IN the galley. They first asked him
ior drink OF water, and said they were from rne
ponce, p aha upon his hesitatlng, captured him,
anu did what nave just told You. The second
mate, Thomas Evans was also secured, while O. B
sominers was awoke IN his berth by being labbed
u
sisted In telling hIin that he mus tell where the
money was mo, but, Of course, he could give them
no satisfactory reply. All the money they OBJ.
tanned was $45 In greenbacks
at seven O'Clock my wife sent the boy ashore
with the second mate 10 fetch doctor and soon
returned with Dr. j. y. Merrill. / have nothlne
more 10 say, except that hope 10 be able 10 90
out forthwith III my ship TO Liverpool.
Thanking the Captain for his statement the re-
porter left the vessel
IL is reported that the pirates meant 10 have
robbed another vessel, on which there Is said
IN he "A larus amount OF money. Yesterday morn
ing when the robbery took place, there were one
ship. two arks and TWO brgs lying or the Battery.
outward bound. IL IL some consolation 10 be a..
snred that. as usual, The police are looking after
the despegauUek.