St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-07-22


an adverse wind was prevailing, and
took charge of the lead and sounded
continually. l found, however. that
my SOundingS correspondent exactly with
those on the chart for the proper course,
and not having the slightest idea of any
danger, L was greatly surprised when
the ship struck.
AN UNKNOWN CURRENT.
1.-THE accident was due to an unknown
current. That this was so is proved be-
yond doubt from the fact that the
United States frigate Brooklyn, which
was proceeding nOrthward, experienced
the same current. The Brook Ign, how
ever, was going up along the coast and
perceived the current in time to prevent
any accident, while l was coming in
from sea, and was, of course, unable to
notice the current. The ship struck
about eight a. III. on the 18th of April.
and as soon as day dawned was sur
rounded by pirates and wreckers. These
were kept at bay by affiXing the hose
and deluging with hot water all who at
tempted to board us. My first care was
OF course for my passengers, all of
whom were Chinese, and | wished to
put them in boats and land them at
Turnabout Island. They, however,
prevailed on me not to do so, assuring
me that if l CARED out my intention
they would be stripped of everything by
the thieyish natives who swarmed
around the ship.
SUCCoRED AT LAST.
'Abont midday the Pechili came in
sight, and, having been signaled by the
San Pablo, hove to. | was DESTROYS of
chartering the steamer, wishing to put
the greater part of my cargo on board
- fr,,. l,<,,
laden. The captain of the Pechiil
deemed it prudent not to come within
mile of the San Pablo, but agreed to
take the specie, mails and passengers on
board. The passengers were, there
fore, first sent on board, and all arrived
safely. Then came the most difficult
part of the work, the tranShipment of
the specie, surrounded as the San Pablo
was by host of natives. | stationed
four men, armed with rifles which would
carry 1000 yards with precision, at the
gangways, and, aving put four armed
men on the first boat, sent her away.
The heathens, seeing these precautions
taken, had the sense not to intefere
with the boat, and boat after boat. pro-
tected in the same way, was then sent
to the Pechili, and the transfer of the
specie safely accomplished. The Pc
chill then left.
STANDING BY THE SHIP"
Il and my crew remained on the San
Pablo till about a. IN. the next day,
when, realizing that all hope of saving
the vessel or cagO was useless. we took
to the boats and made for TurnabOut
Island, which was reached in safety.
While at Iurnabout noticed that the
vessel was on fire, a fact which was
doubtless due to the careleSSness of the
natives, as owing to the valuable loot on
board it is highly improbable that they
set the ship on fire purposely. Shortly
after the vessel took fire, and after the
boats had escaped, terrific explosion
| took place."
The captain spoke of the disaster, but
| knew nothing but what he had heard.
! The natives had climbed on board the
| ship and the fire had reached the maya
zine, which was of small Importance
| until the explosion occurred. This ter
rife blast tore the ship asunder and
killed nearly fifty Chinese pirates.
After being on TurnabOut Island for
couple of days the steamer Menelaus
was Signaled and took on board the cap
| tain and crew.
THE NOBLE CREW.
! Capt. Reed states that all his men be-
haved nObly, and he has no complaints
| to make.
The Oceanic brought in number of
the crew of the San Pablo besides the
captain, among them being Chief En-
gineer Wright, Second Assistant En-
gineer Lewis and Third Assistant En-
| gineer Mccarthy.