New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-12
NINE PIRATES KILLED.
THE MARYLAND STEAMER McLANE RUNS
DOWN TWO OYSTER DREDGERS
wAGING FIERCE BATTLE FOR TWO HOURS ON
THE CHESTER RIVER WITH FORTY OF
THE ILLEGAL DIEDGERS
,nr TELEGRAPH To THE rPrBUsE-

tbr rEIEGRAPI rPIBUSE-,
Baltimore. Dec 1.-The Maryland oyster nav'
has finally attacked the pirates Of the CHESAPEAKE III
ad earnest and from the reports far received has
probably done more terrible execution than was really
necessary to punish the oyster thieves The steamer
McLane Captain r. b. c. Howard at about midnight
last night came up with small fleet OF drcdglne
craft in Chester RIVER The steamer was armed Wild
cannon recently procured by Commander Plowmah
from the United States Government Tho pirates
showed fight usual. and for two hours hefco
battle ragged. The biz gln on the steamer poured
in heavy shot on the little craft dodnG about 10 ger
out of her way, and all the while the dredgcrs were
using their rifles on the police steamer.
Finally Captain Howard put his entire crew into
action with iiAcs and at the same time started to
steam through the feet OF dredging boats that sur
rounded him The night dark and rain was pour
ing in torrents mist ovcrhung The river and bay,
and the boats could be made out only by the flashes
from the rifles handled by their crews and the lanterns
they csned.
on the steamer went at rrt best speed. Suddenly
there was a crash then crunching sound # breaking
timbcIs. Above the noise & the tiring came The
cries and Of men In the water. The steamer
u the darkness, had down two Of the boats
the Mahouey Captain c. Rlcc and the Julia Jones.
Captain John Wentz. The other dredging boats
went to the assistance OF those in the vessels that
were run down, but the polIce steamer, so lar as
known, did not rescue any Of the injured men, for
tho reason that the fighting sfill In progress.
Early this morning the steamer McL1ne put In at
Contrcve, Md. ard Captain II wa.d tecs aple cd
fror there to Commander Plowman for assistance.
as the pirates reinforcing ten numbers and
prcpar ng for another battle. The captain also
reported that he had sunk two boats captured one.
secured the papers OF three Others, and rescued some
members OF the Of the sunken boats The
mate OF the steamer, Charles Frazier shot through
the left arm, and other OF the police was slightly
wounded by the pirates bullets The steamer Governor
Thomas mined atey dispat, he'd from Annapo.s 10
the stance OF the McLane Carpenters ana mi'hl,
had Just been ccivcd The authorities declare their
intention % breaking up the oyster piracy no mator
what cost. .
Dredging boats that arrived hero to-day from the
scene OF last nj ghts battle report that number OF
men were killed drowned when the ste mcr ran
down the two drcdgers. Captain Rice OF the sloop
Mahoncy cf the sunkcn sells. arrived hen, This
evening, and tells thrilling story of the battle lie
says that his of nine men were on the forward
deck when tho steamer bore down upon them lie
declares his vessel was not engaged In piracy Du was
only seeking harbor from the usiy night outside IN IN
the bay lie telIev's II at all LIS crew were either
drowned crushed 10 deaih. Nine men were
drowned from the two boats. dispatch frum Centre,
Vile tonight states that II IS believed there that al
but two three men saved. Captain Rice, how
ever, insists that nearly al his men were killed.
1t Is stated tonight tha; Captain Howard puIposely
ran the steamer on tho boat even VIII his cannon.
the forty dredging craft. manned by desperate
Of him. The dredeers fought like tigers. They made
several attempts TO get W alongside the steamer with
the avOwcd intention Of boarding her and nrurd"nng
the captain and crew. The dredging craft sw9rmed IN
the river like bees. and az one time Captain Howard
feared they would compel the McLane. cannon and all.
The hull and cabin OF the McI.ane Hddled
reused from their beds the booming of the steam
ers cannon caused great excitement.