The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-24
PIRACY IN TIE WEST INDIES.
nv dnERTCIN SCHOONER iTT4CKED
orr THE ISLAND or s1ONI

orr TIE ISLAND or SIONI
Driven on the Bench, she T. Ueset ny n swarm
of Black Men. who strip her of her Cargo
and Threaten 10 Murder her Crew.
The American schooner X C. Rankin OF
Rockland. Me. sailed from New York on June
~ for Jacmel. She had on board cargo OF
pork. beef and other provisions. and was COM
mandcd by Capt Bishop. rcputed to DO an ex-
pcrcncod navigator She was a small vessel
and her crow was composed of but five men, in
Guiding the steward and mate. Sho was not
fast schooner. but was good sea boat. and her
voyage for nearly a month was unevcntful
enough. She was of the southeast end Of
Saona Island on July IL, and a strong current
was setting her toward the point. There was
but little breeze. and though overy thing was
done to save her she driftcd upon Tho shoal and
stuck fast 1t was high water. and as the
tide FELL she became more firmly fixed In her
position, and was regarded as lost. Another
danger threatened her. Tho natives. porceiv-
ing her helpless condition. began TO como of to
her in their canoes They are said to be n fierce
md trcachcrous racc. no, aborlginees. but do
sccndants Of liberated slaves. who exist almost
in a state of barbarism. and commit depreda-
tons that the Government under which they
live seems uowcrless 10 stop. Up to the ground
ing of the X. c. Rankin they had been guilty
OF little more than petty thcits, and It had been
considered necessary merely TO watch them
very closely when they went on board vessels
visiting their coast.
Tbs half-nakcd men who were rowing toward
the stranded schooner were SO numerous that
the crew became alarmed for their personal
safety. and when the canoes were near enough
their occupants were ordered TO keep on They
paid no attention TO this command. their little
boats soon crowdtng around the vessel Tho
natives clamhcred like monkcys up the side
and swarmcd upon the deck. The crew was
entirely .unpreparcd for the attack and
Tue pack pirates IN few minutes had
complete possession OF tn" schooner At
first there were some slight manifestations
Of resistance. but they were speedily checked
i9r many 81 ne natives were armed with long,
sharp. sahre-lke knives. which they drew and
iiourished in the faces Of the dismayed sailors in
"A manner that left no doubt as 10 what their fate
would hc II they did not submit quietly. They
adopted the only course that offered chance Of
escape. and allowed their captOrs TO do ~ they
pleased with the X. c. Rankin.
The pirates swNrmed all over the schooner
taking all the yaluables they could ind and
cutting ne cabin aur2inimenis with their
ture ~ the cargo, and grcediy Selling the pro-
visions thoy quickly loaded their boats until
their sides were deep in the water When they
could carry away no more. they destroyed or
lung overheard nearly all that remained.
Then. after again nercely threatening the crow,
ashore, leaving the X c. Rankin hardly worth
pulling Of The point. even had it been possible
A. soon "a possible after the outrage Cant.
Bishop procured a sloop and went To san Do
ningO city. "a distance Of only seycnty-eil.ht
miles He took with him what the pirates had
left that was worth carrying away and IL was
found upon appraisal thnt all Tint remained 81
the cargo was " rth not more than sl3s. The
schooner is undoubtedly total loss
soon aiterward the mate was also able 10 pro-
cure sloop. and sailed with the crew for San
Domingo City. Here the American Consul
showed them every attention. and. with
The, execution OF ono Of the men. who
preferred 20 remain In san Domingo. they
an embarked on board the Steamship
Iybec. and arrived in New York yesterday
They brought with them letter from Il. 4.
Friend, NJ acting agent Tor the New York
II was addressed 10 George H. Cholwell. the
secretary for the board in this city. and drew "a
lamen'ahle picture Of tn" weakness ~ the Cow
-lutohcd 10 tho wreck from san Domingo civ
g. -tN" ANYTHING that WIS "tt, but the natives
hdt triuru"t uiirr the d' Iurturc of the crow
uui completely siriupDltlr-.4 NOR. Th,nr.ft
finally complained d. f!r Government ~ tho loss
sustained y A American vessel through
piracy ANA OH OPS were sent to recover a.
nu'ii 30 m" stolen cargo a. possible; but large
numbers ui armed natives met them and drove
thrm uf with oAsn. some ~ 90" on 'rr@ were
taken prisoners and u WIS not known what
lad hecon" of them. The natives formerly had
many ron-lng boats trading 10 san Domingo
t.ty. but since the outrage none have been sent
th"r", the pirates evidently fearing that they
would be seized 10y the Government nnd sold rs
schooner.
The Goycrnmout -eoms inclined TO grant the
owners ~ the +. C. Rankin every satisfaction
~ lis power But says Mr.. Friend at tho
enough 90 carry ont IL good intentions"
H"urEc Ii. Chulwcll was unable 10 say last
evening how much The vessel and cargo were
worth. The crew LEFT New York for their homes
last evening