Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-01-31
A STORY OF THE SEA.
Singular and Startling Experience
Of Sailor.

The weil-Laid Plans of the Mutinous
n Crew and Corean Pirates Thwarted
by Goodness and Bravery Retri-
button with II Vengeance.
In the wear 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
as 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 KiuSiu, where the company
intended to establish a branch head
quarters.
The Fairfax was a side-wheeler of
about 800 tons burden, and noted as
being very fast. She was changed about
a 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 comfortable
dining 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
were very heavy, and were further pro-
tected by metal. The engine room was
entirely enclosed, and when | came to
the wheelhouse | was surprised to find
it 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 ques-
tions of the mate he informed me that
we were going among a lawless and des-
perate 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 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 mum Der
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 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 small load
OF freight, and that was all in the hold,
the party of natives were auartered 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 or
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
! OH To turn in. He had scarcely disap-
peared when | rose two iunks dead
ahead, and five minutes later the lookout
on the bows reported them to Mr.. Ora
nam, the first mate. 1t could not have
been more than two minutes after this
when 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 nv
blinds, and | was not moment too
soon. The wheels had scarcely ceased
To revolve when | heard the natter of
ieet outside, followed by explanations
OF anger and disappointment. Then
used the speaking tube to warn the en-
glneer, and he speedily informed me
that ne 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 -
ing there and covered with blood
from numerous knife wounds Mono of
'ne natives were in sight, but directly
nerce yell arose from the lower deck
| followed by pistol shots, and | knew
/ that the satfron-faced wretches wero
numbering the white men as fast as thew
could get to them. They left me alone
LOT ABOUT quarter of an hour. Tbep
ABOUT nall dozen of them came nm and
] demanded my surrender. From tbe;r
ulalect l knew them to be Coraano
ihey called to me in that lanouaoo
saying they had full possession ~ r.
steamer had killed all but two of the
crew. and that my life would be SHARED
II promised to do as they directed
communicated with the engineer. found