The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-12-18
A CAPTURED SHIP.

~ Wal ~ lbIJD Dll1ls
In the year 1859 a British steamer
called the Fairfax arrived at Shanghai
IN distress, and upon investigation her
damages were found to be so extensive
that she was sold to corporation known
as 1.-THE Golden Tea company. It was
composed of five British tea houses, and
1t had four coasting vessels in its trade.
This steamer waIwanted to establish a
line to the Lioo-Kioo islands in the Pa
cific ocean, but more particularly to the
island of Kiu-Siu, where the company
intended to establish branch headquar-
ters.
The Fairfax was q side wheeler of
about 600 tons burden, and noted as being
very fast. She was changed about a
great deal in making repairs, and when I
went aboard of her as wheelsman
found several things to excite my curl
osity. The cabin had been done away
with, and in its place was an officers
messroom aft and comfortable dining
room for the men forward. The space
between was used for berths and storage.
Noticed that great deal of the interior
woodwork was covered with heavy sheet
iron, which had been painted to resemble
wood. The doors were very heavy, and
were further protected by metal. The
engine room was entirely inclosed, and
when | came to the wheelhouse I was
surprised to find 1t so arranged that iron
shutters hung on the inside could be
closed to make a little fortress of the
place. Two rifles and pair of revolvers
comprised the armament. When / came
to ask questions of the mate he informed
me that VIC were going among iawiess
and desperate lot, and were prepared for
any emergency. In addition to what
had seen he showed me six pound field
piece on the promenade deck and score
or more of rifles in room set apart for
an nrmOrY.
The steamer made her first and second
trips without adventure. The crew in
each instance was composed almost en-
tireiy of white men-English, American,
German and French sailors, who had
been picked up in Shanghai. The cook,
steward and stokers were natives, and
on each trip we carried quite a number
OF native passengers. On the third trip
about one half OF the white crew had to
be replaced by natives, and when we
left Shanghai we had sixty native pas
sengers. | remarked on the singular
fact that all were men, and the mate
explained matters by saying it was re-
ligious body on their way to famous
temple situated ON the island we were
bound for. They looked to me like a
crafty, villainous lot, and my fellow
wheelsman, who was an American
named White, predicted that we should
have trouble with them before the voy-
age was over. We had scarcely left
port before we saw to it that all our wea-
pons were loaded, and we got 'the hang
Of the iron blinds so that we could shut
them quickly. One of us would GER
tainly be in the wheelhouse, no matter
at what hour trouble might come.
AS the steamer only had a small load
OF freight, and that was all in the hold,
the party of natives were CHARTERED on
the lower deck. The weather was very
mild and they did not need covering.
The distance from Shanghai to Kiu-Siu
is about $50 miles. As we left port at
o'clock in the morning, and averaged
twelve miles per hour until 4 the next
morning, we were pretty fairly across
the big bay or straits created right there
by the lay Of the coast and the location
of the islands. / came on watch at
o'clock. 1t was then fairly daylight and
the sea was smooth and everything quiet.
My chum gave me the course, reported
that there was nothing new, and went
off to turn In. He had scarcely disap-
peared when l rose two junks dead
ahead, and five minutes later the lookout
on the bows reported them to Mr.. Ora
ham, the first mate. 1t could not have
been more than two minutes after this
when heard shrill cry of "Murderry
by two pistol shots and rush
of feet, and / realized that trouble was
at hand. l rang the bell for the engi-
neer to stop and then shut and secured
my blinds, and was not a moment too
soon. The wheels had scarcely ceased
to revolve, when heard the patter OF
feet outside, followed by EXPLANATIONS
Of anger and disappointment. Then
used the speaking tube to warn the en-
gineer, and he speedily informed me
that he had made himself close pris-
oner.
My iron shutters were provided with
portfolios, and when looked down upon
her bow deck saw the dead bodies Of
the mate and lookout lying there and
covered with blood from numerous knife
None Of the natives was in
sight, but directly fierce yell arose
from the lower deck, followed by pistol
shots, and knew that the saffron faced
wretches Were numbering the white
men as fast as they could get to them.
They left me alone for about quarter OF
an hour. Then about half dozen of
Them came up and demanded my sur
render. From their dialect knew them
10 be Coreans. They called to me in
hat language, saying they had full pos
session OF the steamer, had killed all but
TWO of the crew, and that my life would
BE- spared il promised to do as they
directed communicated with the en-
yineer, found that he was all right, and
ne added that the captain and some of |
she crew were in the armory and pre-
pared to hold out to the last. then in
formed the pirates that could not think
II surrender, and as they began batter
ng at the door with capstan bar l |
showed the muzzle of revolver out and |
killed one and wounded another before
hey could get out of range.
There was only gentle breeze blow
ng, and that was at our backs. The