The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-06-13
CHINESE PIRATES.
A Horde of Thieves Attack Sink
ing American Ship.

A Horde of Thieves Attack Sink.
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 a 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
a sunken rock in thick fog early in the
morning. Every one was aroused, and the
Captain soon saw that the vessel must be
abandoned, as she was filling last, and
showed a tendency to capsize. Just before
the lifeboats were ready to be lowered, a
swarm Of Chinese piratical junks came
from the neighboring mainland. The
queer looking vessels sailed In line OF
battle, and Captain Reed, realizing the
danger his charges were in. made prepara'
tions to repel the attack The pirates, now.
ever, came Ii such overwhelming numbers
that before any demonstration could be made
on board the sinking vessel the pirates were
climbing up the ships sides. 80,
They were led by man who was armed with
a cutlass and large revolver. His shipmates
were also heavily armed. Captain Reed passed
revolyers and guns among the passengers
and crew, and after furious fusillade the
coolies were beaten off. They rallied. how
ever. 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
swarmng toward Sat.sSe the promenade GseE bs7
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 pirate:
were again put to fight, the torrents OF boil
ing water from the pipes sweeping many ol
them off the decks into the sea-
The coolies then beat retreat, and draw
ing their vessels up in line, cruised nall
a mile off the sinking vessel, with tne
evident intention of waiting for the
abandonment Of the vessel. During
the fight Captain Reed imprisoned al! the
Chinese among his crew with the Chinese
passengers in the forehold, for fear they
would aid their countrymen in the attemp,
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 pore
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 q few
hours before. They clambered over the ships
sides with grappllnS nooAs, ano T "as
soon masters Of one OF the finest boats tnat
ever sailed the Pacific. Whether by acci-
dent or design, they soon set fire to the ship,
and when last seen smoke was pouring from
the wreck ii great clouds. The passengers
were taken 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 every hing valuable. :.
It is estimated that at least a score OF pi
rates lost their lives in this stubborn fight
with Captain Reed and his men, During the
battle the women and children who were or
board the San Pablo sought the staterooms
where they were in constant fear not only OF
falling into the hands of the pirates, but o.
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 q
total loss, as she was uninsured.