The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-24
A STORY OF THE SEA.
Singular and Startling Experience
of g. Sailor.
The Well-Laid Plans of the Mutinous
- Crew and Corean Pirates Thwarted
by Goodness and Bravery-Retri-
button with a Vengeance.

- Crew and COrean Pirates Thwarted
by Goodness and Bravery-Retri-
button with Vengeance.
In the year 1859 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" 1t was
composed of five British tea houses and
it had four cOasting vessels in its trade.
This steamer was wanted to establish
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 a branch head
quarters.
The Fairfax was side-wheeler of
about 600 tons burden, and noted as
being very fast. She was changed about
great deal in making repairs, and
when | went aboard of her as wheels
man | found several things to excite my
| curiosity. The cabin had been done
away with, and in its place was an Off
GERS messroom aft and a comfortable
dining room for the men forward. The
space between was used for berthS and
storage. 1 noticed that great deal of
the interior wood work was covered with
heavy sheet iron, which had been
painted to resemble wood. The doors
were very heavy, and were further pro-
| tected by metal. The engine room was
entirely enclosed, and when l came to
the wheelhouse l was surprised to find
it so arranged that iron shutters hung
on the inside could be closed to make
little fortress of the place. Two rifles
and pair of revolvers comprised the
armament. When l came to ask ques-
lions of the mate he informed me that
we were going among lawless and des-
perate lot, and were prepared for any
emergency. In addition to what had
seen he showed me a six-pound field
| piece on the promenade deck and a score
or more of rifles in room set apart
for an armory.
The steamer made her first and second
trips without adventure. The crew in
each instance was composed almost en-
tirely 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 number
of native passengers. On the third trip
about one-half of the white crew had to
be replaced by natives, and when we
sengers. [ remarked on the singular
fact that all were men, and the mate
explained matters by saying it was a
religious 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 voyage
was over. We had scarcely left port
before we saw to it that all our weapons
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 quartered on
the lower deck. The weather was very
mild and they did not need covering.
The distance from Shanghai to Kiu-Siu is
about two hundred and fifty miles. As
we left port at six o'clock in the morn
ing, and averaged twelve miles per hour
until four the next morning, we were
pretty fairly across the big bay OF
straits created right there by the lay OF
the coast and the location of the islands.
/ came on watch at four o'clock. 1t was
then fairly daylight and the sea was
smooth and every thing very 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 l heard shrill cry of ''Murder!'
followed by two pistol shots and rush
of feet. and realized that trouble was
at hand. rang the bell for the engineer
to stop and then shut and secured my
blinds, and l was not moment toe
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 dowr
upon her bow deck l saw the dead
bodies of the mate and lookout "
ing there and covered with blooi
FROM numerous knife wounds. None Of
the natives were in sight, but directly q
! q fierce yell arose from the lower deck,
followed by pistol shots, and 1 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 surrender. From their
dialect / knew them to be Coreans.
They called to me in that language,
saying they had full possession of the
steamer, had killed all but two of the
crew, and that my life would be spared
II I promised to do as they directed. ]
communicated with the engineer. found