The New York herald., 1878-08-19
RIVER PIRATES.
A Sloop Bearded and Robb6d
OH Corlears Hook.
TERROR OF THE CREW.
Savage Conduct OF the Maraud-
ers in the Cabin.

their nenrious business without detection IN the
North and East rivers aptiy illustrated
than on Friday night. AiIer perusal OF tho facts
tho usion cannot bo avoided that three. four
Eve skilled In these perllous enterprises can
hold threo limes their number at their mercy and
possess themselves Of any desirable property within
their reuch with apparent unconcern and
then march OF without the slightest fear of detection.
The sloop William r. Hunt, OF Boston Captain William
II. Derry, having on board cargo OF old iron taken
from The wreck OF tho North America ana consisting
principally OF machinery, reached the wharf at the
yard OF Mr.. Ward b. Smith, IN Coriears Hook, East
River on Friday afternoon, about three O'Clock The
landing was made at this wharf for the purpose OF un
loading some blocks of stone The crew consisted Of
George II. Willett, II. X. Carr, Frederick Wyman,
Frank Coburn and Charles Blanchard Half hour after
the sloop was made fast willett noticed q strange
man walking up ana down tho deck OF u schooner
living close by ni attontively observing the aioop
Tho man renal ned thresquarters of an hour survey
ing tho vessels lying around and then walked on 10
the direction OF Jackson street, About an hour afser
ward a man on board the s'oop and inquired Of
Captain Derry what was the tonnage OF the vessel
GAS soon us he asked the question repted at once,
That's all right; have got no money to-day; ]
will sec you tomorrow morning and pay you,
thinking tho stranger was In search o.
the Wharfage fees The man walked AVA!
not soc him not positively known whether 1t wal
tho same individual no had observed on the schooner
previously. Al all events NO further attention wal
paid 10 the matter.
The captain and retired at an early hour Tna
cabin contains four good sized apartments for bunks,
two each sidc beside pantry and closet. In the
first apartment the right descending tho hatch
way slept willet and Blanchard In one large bunk;
IN the next q apartment the same sidc Captain
Derrys quarters On the lett side Coburn slept alone
next the hachway, and Wyman and Carr occupied
the iurthest bunk together.
ROBBERS
II was about halt an hour alter midnight when
Blanchard was awakened by some noise and stretch.
ing ms bead OF mis- bunk he saw a short, stout
pulil man. apparently about ono hundred and hnI
pounds weight, standing in the middle OF the cabis
close the foot OF the hatchway. This description
by the way, allies exactly with that given by CaptaS
Derry OF the man VINO called him in the evening.
Blanchard at cried out as he Jumped out OF bed
"You -. what do you want down herss" No
reply was given. and the intruder was quickly fol-
lowed BY another As as The latter entered the
first man turned TO Blanchard aud, In savage tons
asked, s'w where's the captanf"
"Hsre am" promptly replied tho captain. who
was suddenly aroused; "what do you wantf"
Blanchard at this moment saw q third man stand.
ing the top OF the natchway and he observed that
the IIio had tho collars OF their coats turned up
around their faces aud their hats were drawn over
their forcheads 70 the eyebrows.
..Hand IL over here right ~ was the demand and
the captain taking IN the situation at hash saw no
room tor hesitation or resistance "Here II is; you
won't lnd much In IT," said he, banding over the
the crew were now awakened and q third man had do
sconded brandshng revolver The lamp In the css!n
"Don shoot, Jimmy" said the second msn 20 ths
last whe entered. bu. the expression had hardly
isrror was s,ruck 90 tue head with .ns batI OF ths
revolver. hrs assatlant cxclamtng, "You lie Sill,
I'M * ans 5 S a
ing the circumstances 70 the reporter 'that settled
me-" Some rus'ns was heard In s:a ~: i.we,
.a: sa:.ps S1af tho shea. ' ssa and
seen dsd tho hatcnwav and the search for piundei
commenced. "You go righ. back again and stay
remarked tns leader OF the gg to she last who en-.
tered. Carr had . loaded carbius Ia his berth, but
the terror oy mis- marrow escape from pistol
buct, made It useless. Tbe rnffans proceedod TO
Tho a. ana wms sa" TS soa.y 80 h
gang thsreupon drew dagger and pressing toe point
OF ihe cold blade on hts neck, growied cot:-'sTurn
back again or III put daylight through you" Blanchard
struck by another OF the gang on Tue head Win
the butt OF pistol 10 add TO the terror Of the scene
and render the aflrghtsd mariners completely help
less The lender OF the scoondrei passed round the
blaae OF the dagger the faccs OF each success
sion with such pressure that thoy could feel the
point TIL he came TO Coburn, when he pressed II
against his side al thought that was the last Of me-,
said Coburn.
The silence that relgned during those ousrages and
the pundering Of the cabin may well be imagined
the ciot ing y the captain and crew wore tied "a
bundles and passed up u confederate on deck Will
lett had suit OF clothes taken wnicn cost him $la
rags. Carrs suit OF new clothes were wertu
$50 In Ills trunk tho thieves also found two
the sum OF 81 In Diis was lying on the Top OF the
cotnng in the trunk, but the thieves IN their haste
sa's s, nns nave cusp .usIir e UVS pair Of paoo
''rhis old pair wear now said he, belong 10 Carfi
the thieves did not think 1t worth while 10 sake tncm.
AIsw half worn articles Of clothing were '' '''
During the search the thieves came upon box OF
they mu ust have Il they woaid kill svsry one In the
cabin. Carr had IL concealed Ia his bed under Tho
mattress and he quietly gave II up Wnen The iass
bundle was handsa up ths naiohway and the thiovcs
we're beginning TO sscend, Captain Derry left his
bunk 10 look alter them, 30 that ne might
DC able to catch a glimpse Of their faces.
but this movement was quickly observed by
the leader, who seized narIinspike aud struck MIN
on tue heau, throwing him bacx INTO has bunk at the
same time exciaiming, you -, you make an-
other Ill put bullet through you." He then
looked into tue bunk where blanchard ana Wuett
were lying 10 sec II their turned outward,
but nnd'ne they were still snh Their head. covered
he did not moIest them 81 tell you said wilett.
al lay on the inside and when heard hum coming
hugged tnat board like good fellow"
The leader renamed guard MI a but one of his
cooiedera,es, who remained to assist him 10 case OF
attack, mad gone ashore lie tnen asccnded, shut "
tue hatchwsy and remained Tor sometime on asc1
with his compsnion altar having spent over an houV
and quarter the pursuit. OF pluuder In the cabin
The were AFRAID to taxe the risk Of look.
| ing after them by opening tho bstcn~W, IS was
| pvobabc a well armed confederate OF the thievos
renamed close ut haad I'LL the retreat was fuily
covered
ESCAPE PIRATES
| Whether they escaped on the wharf or uescenucu
| into boat is not known. 81 would nave goae ons
| through that small door tbore." said tue captain,
pointing to n door leading TO the hoid alter they
had 10 and got peep tbcm Without their seeing
.nt
| side Tue value OF the property taken 10
auout 500, thougn thieves cannot realize
more tnan hall nat amount on II. Tne
| poeketboog taKen from the captain contained only
about 81 n currency The thieves eft behind on the
deck eight pounds OF tooacco, which ihey mad taken
from thy c,uin and which they must have aiterward
| lost sipnt Of besides three ola hats.
| The sioop was removed IRON Corear's Hook on
Saturday 10 the wharf tue foot OF Rvngtor street,
where she was lying yesterday, but sne viii be
brought back 10 the wharf at tue Hook TO day, and
tho unloading will be resumed The vessel Will alter
| ..ar.. L. ..lac.d IN dry lock for