The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-11
MYSTERY IN THE EAST RIVER.
The Remarkable Discovery That wns Made
In the schooner Rnceborse.

Shcrins keeper was put into the
schooner Racchorse on Thursday evening last
to protect the interests OF Messrs johnson x
Co., who claim tl.700 rs due them on n mort
gage on the vessel. Yesterday morning United
States Deputy Marshal Holmes put a keeper ia
to the same vessel to secure the claims Of s909i
for wages. made by John Nelson and s722.55
duo for advances in supplies and money TO
Geo. d. Lunt and John Hegeman OF Lunt
Co.. 27 South street. When the United States
Deputy Marshal went on board to serve his
papers and put his man in possession. he
learned with surprise that considerable part
OF the cargo consisted OF arms, ammunition
and other war material. Neither of the claims
touched the cargo. however. and at the request
OF Capt. Hermann Won Weller permission was
given for its removal. Later in tho day n great
part Of 1t was carried away in truck loads OF
heavy boxes and bales. 10 J. II. Draper 4 Co.'S
auction rooms M ~ Pearl street. where II Il to
be sold on Tuesday next 8" for the benefit OF
Messrs. Beebc. Wilcox 4 Hobbs appeared a
proci9rs for The lhellants, IN the suits un-
session, MIR. W, IL. Becbe OF that firm. said
TINT he knew nothing beyond the fact that he
had claims for collection He understood
however. that the vessel was fitted out for a
cruise to the west coast Of Africa. As to the
nature of her cargo or the owner OF II. he knew
The Raccnorse was found at Piers. East river
She is square topsai schooner. lying low in
Lut Ndl'It INhlSll, anu WIFI loIE kfitIul llItS
Her tonnage If registered MS lOl65. and no
schooner ot her AZ" can spread more canvas.
ngo, but is stll sound and fit for any service.
Capt Won WELLER was superintending the
transfer Of the cargo. Behind him were two
in the proceedings hut Of whom he spoke as,
".ohl merely friend and-ah my tailor.'
ermy 1cFc Unitcd State States MSrsRals K@epcr +! F.
J. Seherwerhorn, tall and thin, and sheEin's
Keeper +. y. Burns. short and stout. Four
StalWart men HrUuupu. pprepirpl. md blus-
phemed as they tugeed at the heavy boxes.
% Capt. Won Weller IL not more apparently than
Thought this vessel year and half ago for
| trading purposes. That was the beginning of
| my practical seamanship. for which was fitted.
however by my study OF navigation at school in
Have carried any 10 CubaY Well. believe
back cargoes Of fruit to New York. We arrived
| Ia this port from Jamaica on our last voyage on
the ION Of January, last Then had n notion
on the west coast Of Africa, new. part
Of the coast that has, not been visited
very much by traders, don't like 70 give
to % agree to put in about Ut 5000 Hpt'i pHi in The
mated Value Of $1,000 He told met me to 90 ahead
and get the cargo, did and the amount over
ing, went 10 him for $1,000 or 1880 more,
and he seemed dissatisfied. Then | sought
somebody else to put in some more money, We
were AL ready to 10 10 sea in February. but it
was difll ,uli To gct any more invested. money is
soscarce. When finally. did get another man
| cargo, the first man desired to withdraw, | as
sented to his doing SO. and the cargo bought
lieve his lawyer told him that trade on the west
coast Of Africa was risky He is foolish"
| What does your cargo consist OF. Captain ?"
| " Oh hardware. dry goods. agricultural i'm
| hlements. some guns. and 50 on. All sorts OF
You have arms and ammunition on board.
have you not -
:. xes; some",a,speaking with reluctance
"Riies. muskets, muskotoons. shotquns.
assortment Tor the west coast Of Africa
" Where iid you get all your armamenu'
on, Job lots picked up"
:. pa You have any cannon p
Yes did, speaking very slowly, have
| tom dropping out OF the thing"
When was that -
" Two weeks ago"
" How did you get ril Of themw
sent 'em away--ave 'em away"
You seem 10 have considerable quantity Of
boards and scantling under your cargof'
Yes. about 10000 feet, suppose"
What is that forf'
always handy 10 have about. II We wanted to
build sheds or cabins. you X now il would be
Were going. you won't find any wood for miles-
nothing, but sand-and We might want the
Under the boards you seem TO have n guam
tty Of anthracite coal. Is that TO keep you warm
in the cabins bnltwith the boards ON the west
coast Of African
NJ. There are only twenty or thirty tons.
intended to use that in the steam launch"
An! The steam launch Where is she?'
sold her."
To whom -
kind Of sporting man up town"
Why did YOU sell herr
Well, she hadn't been taken good care Of
during the past year, while | was away. and
wasn't in very good condition so | Thought Ia
sell her and get another. better one as l got
pretty good offer for her"
But what did YOU want Of n steam launch ?"
On To tow ships yawls laden with goods
up the rivers. and trade with the natives ON the
west coast OF Africa.
What quantity Of arms and ammunition
have you on board p
About twenty cases Of arms I suppose, and
/ don't know how much ammunition. but in
proportion for the trade on the west coast Of
Have there been any suspicious that your
cargo was not intended for the west coast Of
AirY,ca", ",,.o hovo ,oon e.on,.h ,o. ,
here nosing about almost every day. thinking it
for Cuba"
Mr. Kellogg. OF the firm Of J. II. Draper 4 Co..
knew nothing OF the cargo Of the Racehorss
10 sell 1t for his client The Captain Of the
vessel had behaved in very queer way about
II, refusing 10 exhibit any manifest, or give any
Information. Mr.. X. was in doubt whether the
permit the storage there OF the ammunition
until the day Of sale. Men We're ho,ting the
heavy stun to the third etOrv-all excepting the
ammunition. which VIA awaiting on the sldr-
walk decision from tho Insurance authorities.
Ther" were seven large cases containing guns.
anu labelled
GOT 5 MUSKETS
BAYONETs