Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-06-08
CHINESE PIRATES.
A Horde of Thieves Attack Sink
ing American Ship.


ing American Ship.
The regular China steamer has brought
news TO San Francisco of the extraordinary
wreck of the costly steamer San Pablo,
which occurred ON reef of Turnabout
Island, in the Formosa Straits, off the China
coast Only brief cable reports have been
received of the disaster. The vessel struck
q sunken rock in a thick fog early in the
morning Every one was aroused, and the
Captain soon saw that the vessel must be
abandoned, she was filling fast, and
showed tendency to capsize: Just before
the lifeboats were ready to be lowered,
swarm of Chinese piratical Junks came
from the neighbOring mainland. The
bqueer looking vessels sailed IN line or
battle, and Captain Reed, realizing the
danger his charges were in, made prepara-
ltions to repel the attack. The pirates, how
ever came ii such overwhelming numbers
that before any demonstration could be made
ION board the sinking vessel the pirates were
climbing up the ships sides.
/ They were led by man who was armed with
"a cutlass and large revolver. His shIpmates
were also heavily armed Captain Reel passed
revolvers and guns among the passengers
and crew, and after furious fuslllade the
coolies were beaten off. They rallied, how
lever, and made second and more desperate
attempt to board the San Pablo, which was
fast settling in the water. Some of the pirates
gained the main deck, in spite of the gallant
stand of the passengers and crew, and were
swarming toward the promenade deck,
where the defenders were busy
firing and relOading, when Captain
Reed brought the ships hose pipes
into requisition. The long coils of hose were
manned by the crew, and instantly the pirates
were again put to flight, the torrents of boil
ing water from the pipes sweeping many OF
them off the decks into the sea.
The coolies then beat retreat, and draw
ing their vessels up in line, cruised half
mile off the sinking vessel, with the
evident intention of waiting for the
the fight Captain Reed imprisoned all the
Chinese among his crew with the Chinese
passengers in the fOrehold, for fear they
would aid their cOuntrymen in the attempt
to loot the vessel. As soon as possible the
passengers, mails, and specie were put into
the San PablO's small boats, and then all bore
away for the mainland When only short
distance from the wreck Captain Reed and
his charges saw the pirates set sail and rush
upon the San Pablo as they had done a few
hours before. They clambered over the ships
sides with graphing hooks, and were
soon masters of one of the finest boats that
ever sailed the Pacific. Whether by acct
dent or design, they soon set fire to the ship,
and when last seen smoke was pouring from
the wreck in great clouds. The passengers
were uaI..Zen to Hong Kong, and tugs were
sent to the relief of the San Pablo, but they
found only the hulk, burned to the waters
edge, and stripped of everything valuable
it is estimated that at least a score of pi
rates lost their lives in this stubborn hight
with Captain Reed and his men. During the
battle the women and children who were on
board the San Pablo sought the staterooms,
where they were in constant fear not only OF
falling into the hands of the pirates, but of
being drowned in the water which was I'LL
ing the ship.
The San Pablo was fitted up in finer style
than any steamer that ever left San Fran
cisco, and was valued at $500, 900, which is a
total loss, as she was uninsured.