New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-09
PIRATES IN THE HARBOR.
EXPLOITS OF A NOTORIOUS THIEF.

MICHAEL sHANSAHAN's GANG STEALING MOLAssEs
AND MAKING wHIsKEY-THE LEADERS FRIENDS
SOME OF THEIR DARING ROBBERIEs.
Many daring robberies, in many cases ac-
COMMANDED with violence have been committed during
the past few years by river pirates along the New
York Brooklyn and Jersey City coasts, and III almost
every instance the thieves have escaped. gang OF
the bodest pirates that has infested this harbor
was broken up recently by the capture and imprson
ment Of nearly all It's members. The leader. Nike
shannahan escaped, and Is now, it is believed, in
Canada.
Under the guidance OF shannahan the pirates nc
customed to wander about the East River in tho
schooner Sunny Shower aud when unable TO purchase
molasses legtimaey they would steal it from the DIFF
ferent PIERS when well supplied, they would set SAL
10 some sequestered nook the Long Island coast
and there manufacture whskey in large quantities The
vessel was supplied with everything necessary Tor the
business and unmolested by the authorities they soon
accumulated large amount OF money. At one time
the schooner needed repairs, and was put in
When the repairs finished the vessel was hoateo
and taken 20 HobOken. The work never paid for
aud the vessel belled, and United States marshas
we're put aboard When shannahan and his gang
boarded her. they deliberately custed the marshas and
set sail for Connecticut The authorities were given
notice. and United States marshals again boarded the
schooner. When they made known their business,
shannahan consented to 80 with them to New-York
They proceeded their voyage, but as the vessel was
rounding the Battery Shannahan deliberately her
upon the rocks OF Bedloe's Island Immediately he and
his comrades entered their boats and rowed ashore
Mr. WinsIow q Hoboken dock owner, after some diff
Guilty got the vessel on placed her upon the docks and
then sold her.
shannahan, or Big Mike" as he was Familiarity called
was born in Cork, going TO Liverpool at the age OF
twenty, he made the acquaintance OF Dan McGinnis
the leader Of gang known the Forty Thieves" who
for several years conducted their operations under the
nm. nwf..a NJ
London had arrived from the East Indies, with yaua
Bile cago of silks and shawls Sample bales in the
cabin for inspection OF oonsgnees and Others. McGin
MS and shannahan hired at the landing TO convey
consignee's clerk on board. In the meanwhile their
friends had mOOred boat alongside the COnsort sud
den uroh threw Of the sailors into the water aud
while all were watching the struggling In the water
McGinns and shannahaD lowered TO their boat goods OF
the value OF $4,000. McGnnis arrested convicted
and sentenced 10 Norfolk Island, penal settlement
shannahan made his escape 10 this country. Here he
soon found willing TO join him One night shanna-
walked eisurcly down 10 the per AT tue OOt OF Zee
toT-st A number OF bales OF cotton stood upon the
wharf lie rolled OF the bales into the water and
jumping after II, toWedt 10 hgplaoe on the jersey
French Lew" and Kelly. 1.-THE Rat" soon Joined
Sbannahan. Their first exploit was tue robbing OF the
bark saOnc Tue vessel lay Upper Quarantine Station
and loaded with coffee. Owing 10 the prevalence OF
her cargo ia lighters. Pulling alongside, tho pirates
hailed the mate and asked to be aowed TO come aboard,
alone Before he was Of their Intentions, he was
sc zed placed under the bdlwars and tied 10 the ring
bolts GU tho During all this time and ferry
bOats on the Staten Island Ferry passing con-
tinnousy. Taking of the matches tie thieves trans
ferrcd to their 200 bags Of coffee, aud bidding the
mate good day left the vessel They conveyed Their
goods floating Bethel for seaInen moOrcd, as now,
IN the East River. The structure l. butt on a large
scow and has a hatch on the outer end, rarely used.
French Lew ana Shnnnahan were siaunch ffiende,
and the death OF the former "A severe blow 10
Shannahan. The story OF A." LEWIS" death as told by
follows " was lying at anchor OF the Battery In my
brig when suddenly noticed Whitehall boat, contain
ing Two men, shooting out from the Battery, pulling
al. ecy for bark lying abreast Of me. When the boat
arrived under the bars quarterback, one man hooked
TO the mizzen cham aud held the boat stationary The
other man sprang into the mzzcn cains aud tneu on
deck Quickly opening the after scutte, he disappeared
his COMPANION following. Suddenly the doors were
pushed open two sprang from the vessels SIDE
into their boat, followed by half dozen shots The
next morning Whitehall boat was found ying ON TIE
shore al Staten Island with tue dead body OF French
Lev IN the bottom.
The bOdest OF the gang that which occurred
on the Jersey COust IA lew years ago Tie schooner
Adelica, from Fernanaina, had arrived here with
cargo lumber Having discharged H. the captain re
CeiYed 81 400 FROM mis- COnsgnve@, urn IA Builhg-
sip lie received orders soon acrWdrd 20 return home
He went 10 jersey CITY, where he took load Of coal
lie then haulpd out into the stream and land at anchor
awaiting daylight and the arrival OF Hell Gate tug.
All hands were aboard, wiring letters, others
singing songs, when suddenly man IA mask stepped
from the deck while the forward door appeared
another Oh deck the OroCastc, stood another
on guard. The captains vest hung upon nail IN his
CABIN with 81 200 Ia H. The pirates searched all on
board after winch they went away, forgetting, now
ever, 10 take the vest.