The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-04
waddeII and Piracy

the STAR was received yesterday, and
published in our columns:
''SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 8.--Captain waddell,
steamer San Francisco, viii not take her on
her first trip to Sidney, via Honolulu, being
threatened with arrest by the Hawaiian au-
thorities on q charge of piracy for the destruc-
ton of the Hawaiian bark Hamest during his
operations against the Arctic whaling fleet In
the rebel steamer Shenandoah"
And thereby hangs a tale; the facts
in which would, we presume, make it,
rather unwholesome tor Capt. Waddell
to appear in his own proper person with
in the jurisdiction OF the Hawaiian Gov
ernment.
The proper name of the vessel, CON-
cerniug which the alleged piracy was
committed, was the HaYvest, though
called "Hamest" by misreading of the
telegram. And the history of this
piratical transaction as alleged. as
we happen to personally know, is this -
During the winter Of 1S64-5, this Capt.
Waddell, commanding the rebel cruiser,
Shenandoah, which issued from a British
port, proceeded to the British Colonial
possessions in the East, where he was
received and feted and dined by the local
British authorities. From Singapore,
where he received his last and largest
entertainment, he proceeded northward
through the Pacific, even up to Behring's
Straits, where he captured and burned
thirteen ships Of our whaling fleet, then
in those waters.
While on his way thither, he passed
through the island group known as the
Ladrones, about midway of the Pacific,
and southwardly from the Hawaiian
group, commonly called the Sandwich
Islands. The Ladrones constitute a
colonial dependency of Spain; and a
Spanish Governor resides at Guam, the
principal island of this group.
Waddeil, with the Shenandoah, visited
the Isle Of Ascenoion, one OF this group,
where there is a common port of call Tor
the whaling ships of the Pacific. In that
port, with other vessels of different ma
tions, was the Harvest. This vessel was
commanded by an American Capai and
mate. On arriving. Waddell sent petty
officer aud boats Grew to the HGYveSt with
orders to bring her Captain OH board the
Shenandoah. or course, he was CON-
PEELED to 90, as ordered. He was interro-
gated with regard to his vessel, which
was then lying at anchor under the
Hawaiian flag. He informed Waddell
that the R0roest was a Hawaiian vessel
and exhibited, as he was ordered to do,
her Register, Crew-list, and clearance
from the Hawaiian government. The
crew were all Hawaiians, but
commanded by American officers.
Her papers were found to
be perfectly regular. But Wad.
dell, swearing that 1t was a sub
terfuge to cover American property, or.
dered the Captain of the Haruest to re-
turn on board, and then himself, officers
and crew to take their own personal
effects on shore and surrender their ship
to him, commanding in the name of the
Confederate states, &c.
The Captain of the Harvest. being un
able to offer any resistance, was oom
PEELED to comply with the order, bu
under protest; and left his ship with his
men. leaving the Hawaiian flag flying
The HorUest was Immediately taken pos
session of by Waddelps orders, her chro
nometers and valuables removed, anG
the vessel at ence fred and burned u
the waters edge In the port. After this
exploit he proceeded on his voyage
northward for the destruction OF oul
unarmed whaling ships.
i The officers of the Hdrpest, thus pu
on shore with only their clothing, were
supported for some time by the natiyel
of the island. They subsequently, go
permission to repair and fit up an OH
abafdoned whale boat, left ashore. Ii
this, after repairs were made to- the bes
of their ability, they set sail for Guam
the principal island and residence of the
Spanish Governor.
I They were six weeks at sea in thi
open boat, but finally reached Guam
There they were kindly received by the
Governor, and provided with comforta
BILE support, while awaiting an opportu
nifty to reach some general seaport. Al
these islands are not frequently visited
by any homeward bound vessels, thes,
people from the burnt vessel Harvest re
Imained at Guam from July to DeceInbe
: in nospitable care Of the Spanish Gov
ernor.
n Then came British vessel into Cha
J |port, trading in cocoanut oil, and boun'
for China. Upon that vessel thes
lpeople were placed, one-half their pas
: sage money paid by the Governor Q
J Guam himself, and the other half to b
d paid by the Consular representative Of
the United States in China. They ar
! rived safely. ALI the requirements
: Of their passage were met. the GovernoI
: tof Guam was reimbursed for his ex
} penses, and the men sent home frol
7 lChiua to the United States on an Amer