The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-02-27
A STORY OF THE SEA.
Singular and Startling Experience
of a Sailor.
The Well-Laid Plans of the Mutinous
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 a corporation known
IS "Ihe Golden Tea Company" 1t was
composed Of five British tea houses and
it had four coasting vessels in it's trade.
This steamer was wanted to establish a
line TO the Lioo-Kioo Islands, in the Pa
eifc 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 800 tons burden, and noted as
being very fast. She was changed about
great deal in making repairs, and
when went aboard of her as a wheels
man found several things to excite nv
curiosity The cabin had been done
away with, and in its place was an Off
GERS messroom aft and a comfortable
ainlng room for the men forward. The
space between was used for berths and
storage. | noticed that great deal of
the interior wood work was covered with
heavy sheet iron, which had been
painted to resemble wood. The doors
we're very heavy, and were further pro-
1eeted BY metal. The engine room was
entlrely enclosed, and when I came to
inc Wheelhouse l was surprised to find
I 70 arranged that iron shutters hung
OF the inside could be closed to make a
As.ie fortress of the place. Two rifles
ana par OF revolvers comprised the |
armament. When I came to ask cues |
Aehs Of the mate he informed me that |
" we're going among lawless and des-
pefate lot, and were prepared for any |
emergency. In addition to what I had |
9s9A ne showed me six-pound field |
pleee on the promenade deck and a score
Y more Of rifles in room set apart
for an armory.
lne steamer made her first and second
ups without adventure. The crew in
ssss instance was composed almost en-
Gaely OF white men-English, American,
seflnan and French sailors. who had
ussn picked up in Shanghai. The cook.
s.eealo and stokers were natives, and
y eaen trip we carried quite number
= AatlYe passengers. On the third trim
ss0us one-half of the white crew had to
=. replaced BY natives, and when we
~ shanghai we had sixty native pas-
~ ss,s. | remarked on the singular
- snat all were men, and the mate
,s,sl Splainea matters by saying it was a
s,ous oody on their way to famous
suipie situated on the island we were
ssaao lor. They looked to me like a
@slV' Viliainous lot; and nv fellow
M. p1ss,eislnan, who was an American named
s.aua' a,ss' predicted that we should have
=, sue with them before the voyage
-. ~ over We had scarcely left port
~ 49, we saw to it that all our weapons
sba ~ loaded, and we got "the hang'' of
t5su 10n blinds so that we could shut
AM. . quickly. One of us would GER
f NE - IN the wheelhouse, no matter
Al ~ ~ nour trouble might come.
Il f-s fro;-s steamer only had small load
ia 'e.sh'' s.l' and that was all in the hold.
Ia IN la..s u natives were quartered on
MIA 81 s0wer deck. The weather was verv
4bssssaa @aa they did not need covering.
ssops M ssance saa from Shanghai to Kiu-siu is
i as ls,s swO hundred and fifty miles. AS
ins ~ port at six o'clock in the morn
aatil ~ ~ averaged twelve miles per hour
press 4 10ar the next morning we were
stats % lairly across the big bay or
ths ,.s eoss. sseated tight there by the lay of
Iosns Saass :. and - location of the islands.
tben n IN, = watch at four o'clock. Il was
snoath MAJ AMY daylight and the sea was
Ayesana ana every thing very quiet.
Ast gave me the course. reported ,
i ssse sss,s vas nothing new, and went !
pare5 ''ra IN. N. he had scarcely disan-
s6esS' W sasn ] rose two iunfs dead $ $
u, y saa sa i've minutes later @ the Lookout @
n tl.se ses reported them to Mr.. Gra-
ss.a ss mate. It could not have
as.1 saan two minutes after this !
aArill cry Of MURDER, !
'sp plstl shots and !. ! ,a rush :