Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-08-07
A TRAGEDY OF rHR SEA.


TRAGEDY OF THE SEA.
Supposed Murder OF the Captain Of
aPhilsdelphia Boat.
KEY WEST, FLA August l.-Sinoe the
arrival yesterday OF the schooner Julia
Baker, In distress, suspicious have been
whispered causing grave doubts as to her
recent movements. This vessel cleared
from New York with an assorted cargo for
Point. q Pitre Juns 9th, but for some IN
accountable reason did not sail until the
18th. On July Sd che appears to have
put into Long Key, osiensibly for pro
and sold part Of her cargo and
till the 9th, when her voyage
was resumed for her original destination.
from her course, however, she
arrived here leaking and with her
foremat sprung. The frat csuse
for suspicion was the desire of her
master TO dispose OF her entire cargo
here, claiming the cwutr PIP thereof
Several inquiries have heeu wed from
her owners in PhilNdel Vii, ,stive 90 ,i.t
vessel and cargo, ets'i : tHAt they fav'
reasons TO b ilievs that tree iSilsl 'uif tel
has been murdered and tue ps rsoD ac'i'e
o. such ia al impusLor fhe msrtrr de.
oinps TO communicate With the own rs,
but says he cal be identf d by going To
Pensacola or New York. u.s stat, mspts,
while rambling and evasive, show o
knowledge OF the acts o the owners. An
investigation Is now being held. The
vessel, meanwhile, is detained by the
customs cfiosr.
MUTIEY AND MURDER SUSPECTED
The startling story that the crew OF
the schooner Julia Baker, from New York
for POint-a Pitre, had mutinied, killed
their captain, John Lewis, and have been
selling the cargo 10 the West Indies, led
the owners Of the vessel, Messrs. Warner
& Merritt, to send the following dispatch
by telegraph to day:
PHILADELPHIA, August Ito Collector OF
Customs, Key West, Fla: We have reason to
believe Captain Lewis of schooner Julia
Baker has been murdered, and that the person
calling himself Lewis Is an impostor. Kindly
ascertain what has been going on; why vessel
has deviated from her course what has BIO.
come OF her cargo, and all particulars.
Things appear very mysterious and demand
sharp investigation. Telegraph full par
ticulars quickly. WARNER Il MERRrTT.
The following answer was sent them
KEY WEST, FLA, August Ito Warner d
Merrit, Philadelphia: The master assigns no
reason for deviating from course. He has
noted protest, claiming foremost sprung and
leaking. A survey has been held to-day.
He recommends the discharge OF the cargo.
The original manifest is lost. Lumber was
washed overheard and portion OF the floor il
missing. The masters statement is rambling
and conflicting. Send description OF the
original Captain Lewis. We have taken
possession OF the vessel aud are awaiting
your further instructions.
.e -... ROMAN ALvERER.
CONTRAST BETWEEN TUB COMMANDER AMI
CAPTAIN LEWIS.
II Ia said that the Julia Baker has beer
cruising in West iudia waters selling hei
geographically four-at rates muck
below the market value. Captain Lewis
the commander Of the Julia Baker, wal
about 40 years of age, rather tall ant
stout, and wore mustaohe. The descrip
tion Of the present commander Ia alto
gether different and Albert Merritt Of tn
firm Of Warner & Merritt, expresses tn
opinion that mutiny occurred on boar,
the schooner, that fight took place Il
| OhptAih LOW 10 Whb anu huh
the crew seeing that they were In for
determined to sell the cargo and escape
Warner x Merritt later in the day re
ceived dispatch from the collector q
Key West stating that the captain an
four men Of the schooner Julia Baker hA
been arrested. TIE party representa-
himself as Captain L,wis does mol resen
BILE him, he having a long red beaiC
whereas Captain Lewis only wore a dar
mOustAche.
Advioes received by Warner & Merit
fruit dealers, Of Philadelphia, are ss d I
confirm the suspicion previously ente
tanned, that Captain Lewis Of the schoon,
Julia Baker, has been foully dealt wi,
and that the person assuming to be Cap
Lewis, and who was engaged in trying
dispose Of the cargo, was an imposto
He has been arrested at Key West, wi,
others Of tine crew.
Albert Merritt, Of the firm Of Warner
Merritt Of Philadelphia, received advic,
Monday from Key West, Florida, tn
Mate Walker of the schooner Julia Bake
who has been personating Captain Levi
the dead master OF that vessel, Wi
Monday arraigned before Commission
Locke on the charge Of running avs
with the vessel and disposing Of her oarg
The testimony proved that the mast,
was sick when the vessel sailed, and col
tinued so for six days. On the sixth d.
the man at the wheel cav the captain IA
from his chair in the cabin. He WI
picked up by the mate and steward al
. laid on q mattress on the cabin fllo
They then administered something to hi
from a bottle. The master died IN ie
minutes.
The mate Immediately changed Il
vessels course 80 as to reach the Bahan
islands. She was originally bound I
Trinidad. Arriving at Fortune Islam
the mate sold the deck load OF lum b
and then went to Imagua, where he 80
some flour and bread. The vessel W
then taken to an uninhabited islam
, where she met small tchooner. II
mutiny had probably been arranged
Imsgua. The latter vessel took on boa
100 barrels Of flour and departed, Il
mate, Walker, going with her. Walk
returned with her in five days, havil
, been able to sell only IL barrels Of Il
flour. He gave the small schooner
, barrels for the service and she left. II
steward ran away in her, jumping
, board over the Julia Bakers etern. II
latter vent direct to Kay West, when Il
, remainder Of the cargo OF flour "
|. offered for sale at IS per barrel. Walk
was held for trial at the November ter
Of court.