Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-06

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Your issue Of November 18th last
has a notice OF the arrival in New
York Of the Bactolus, having on board
the second mate Of the American ship
Rainier. Of Bath. which was wrecked
on the Marshall group Of islands in
January, 1884. In the report Of his
adventures. as related by the second
mate, Drohan, there is this allusion to
myself:
&C. +. Tumlett. the British Consul,
took the responsibility Of paying the pas
sage Of the men to Hong Kong, where.
he said. they would find the American
man-of-war Essex. He also gave them
a letter to Colonel Mosby. the American
Consul at the latter port. The steam
ship Benyenue was the vessel which
took Mr.. Drohan and his three men
to Hong Kong. Colonel Mosby
communicated with Commodore Da-
Wis, who ordered Captain McCor-
mick. Of the Essex, to proceed To the
Marshall islands for the remainder Of
the Rainier's crew. Colonel Mosby,
Dir. Drohan asserts. allowed the four
American seamen to shift for themselves
in Hong Kong, where they spent thirty
six hours before they reached the Is
sex. In the mean time they had
neither food nor shelter. The Raj
nier's boat, which had been picked
up by the Catalina, was placed
under the care of Colonel Mosby. The
latter sold this for ninety dollars. but
none of this money went toward feed
ing or clothing the four men who risked
their lives to obtain aid for their CON-
rades. Mr.. Drohan has letters proving
the sale OF the boat for the sum men
toned. Colonel Mosby WAS the noto-
rious Confederate guerrilla leader whose
sudden conversion 20 loyal principles
after the war caused some comment"
The second mate and three seamen
were forwarded TO Hong Kong from
Saigon by the steamship Bcn,enue. So
far from wandering about for thirty-six
hours like disembodied spirits on the
Stygian shore, as Drohan asserts. they
were within twenty minutes after they
reported at the consulate placed on
board the Essex. As Drohan vol
unteered 20 return TO the islands
with the Essex, Captain McCor-
mick gave him a berth. rations,
and a full suit of clothing on Govern
ment account. The three seamen we're
put at sailors clearinghouse on the
same day they arrived. and in day or
so afterward reshipped on an American
vessel. About two months after their
departure from here the British bark
Catalina, that had picked them up in the
long-boat at sea and brought them into
Saigon. came to Hong Kong and dclv-
cred the long-boat Of the Rainier over
TO me. On my recommendation the
President presented to Captain Williams,
master OF the Catalina. gold watch
and chain in acknowledgment Of his hg-
name services to the crew Of the Rainier.
If Drohan had said that. after the man
ner of the Cyelops, had killed and
eaten him and his companions, there
would have been as much probability
in the story as in that related TO your
reporter by this ancient mariner. v
The inclosed correspondence letters to
and from the United States Department
of State and the owners OF the wrecked
vessel, including an acknowledgment
Of the receipt Of draft for s95, les'
expenses, being the proceeds Of the salt
of the Rainier's boatI shows what carr
| | took of the shipwrecked scamcn VIII
came here. what efforts ! made for th
rescue Of those left on the island, an,
also what disposition was made Of Tia
proceeds of the sale Of the boat. Rear
| Admiral Davis. commanding our Asiati
squadron, and Captain Mccormick, sr
witnesses TO the truth Of my statement
JOHN M0sBy,
United States Consul.
United States Consulate, Hong Kong
January l3. 1885.