New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-02
THE LOSS OF THE SHERMAN.
HER DESTRUCTION AND THE BEHEADING OF HE
CREW BY THE COREANs IN 1866.

HER DESTRUCTION AND THE BEHEADING OF HER
CREW BY THE COREANs IN 1866.
WASHINGTON, June 1.-Lieutenant George
c. Foulk OF the Navy under date OF Seoul Corea March
90 has sent to the Navy Department account of the
destruction Of the American schooner sherman, and the
beheadng Of portion OF her the Yellow Sea
coast OF COrea in 1866. The narrative prepared
from accounts obtained from COrean Christian Of good
standing and is published for the first time. Lieutenant
Foulk says
1.-THE Sherman arrived in Feong River in August, and
anchored short distance below Phyong Yang CITY, the
capital OF PhyOng An Do tho northwestern province of
Corea It was then the time OF the annual midsummer
heavy rain During this the rain falls almost in
cessantly for ten fifteen days The lowlands are
flooded the river rising many feet
1.-THE Sherman was from the walls OF Phyong
Yang and was the cause of much excitement but on
account Of the condition OF the river which
then HIGH boat ventured her for time When
the began to subsde. the provincial Government
sent officers inquire her mission The common people
took advantage OF the departure or these officers FOR the
vessel to crafty thelrOwn curiosity, and went with them,
tue Whole party DeSlh large eet OF snaD which
put out from the shore together.
THE sherman's people not understanding the object
of he approaching expedition, considered the movement
hostile demonstration and fired several shots in the
air The officials accompanied by all the Inhabitants ut
once turned back to the city me river tell rapidly
after this and IN few days the Sherman went aground
Efforts to get her aOat unsuccessful aud she ca
rcehcd ms was seen from the CITY was ana again the
people became greatly excited Another fleet OF boats
the people Delhg armed Snots were again hrcd from
the Sherman and the COreans turned back before.
The officials and people OF the CITY were now en-
ragged and an attempt was made TO destroy the vessel
which was successful. Boats were loaded with cOmbus-
tbe material and taken points above the schoOners
anchorage. Here they fired and allowed to drift
down upon her. The sherman was soon in flames Her
jumped overheard to save themselves but most OF
them were drowned. few picked up by Corean
boats which had been put out after them.
among these was "A European, who was able to COM
municate with the officials. The prisoners were brought
before the KamsA and examined. They told the object
nf fla ma nu mo- nd Ia "A
White flag had been waved on board Of her upon the APP
prOach the fire boats They asked that they be taken
TO China and surrendered there. All efforts to save
themselves useless, however, aud in few days
they taken ont OF prison and hehcaded."
Up 10 1870 the United states Government could learn
nothing of the Shemans destruction In that year Rear
Admiral John Rodgers In command Of the Aslatic STA
tiOn ordered 10 investigate her loss. Commodore
schley OF Greedy Relief fame the time connected
with the station as Lieutenant Commander Referring
TO the expedition today he said
The Aratr squadron went 10 the yellow Sea and 10
the mouth the sale River object being TO learn II
possible something OF the Shermans loss. In order TO
ascend the river We obtained permission from the
Corean officials to make survey or II.
Tho suuadron asceuded the river for
some distance The Palos and Monocacy continued
further. The two vessels were fired upon from the
Corean Qualifications and they returned to the other YES
Of the squadron. Admiral Rodgers sent message
to the COrran officials giving them ten days IN when
they might make explanation for firing the Ameri-
can vessels 80 attention given 10 the cOmmunica-
ton and NJ the expiration OF the ten days, the Admiral
determined To secure an explanation by force. We
result was that nearly 700 Coreans were killed. and
about 100 taken prisoners. We lost about twenty-five
or thirty. The explanation afterward given for hrlng
vessels that the COreaus never allowed Tor
cIgn vessel 10 the river without firing ON IT, our
investigation OF the Shermans destruction ternin-
ated because OF the fight with the COreans."