Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-03-02
AMONG GILLIAN REsELs.
A Pluoky EoElish Captain Escapes
with ehip ard Cargo.

Of the British steamship West Indian, whic.
F.! has just arrived az Victoria, b. c., from
Liverpool, relates an interesting ard ex-
citing story Of adventure with the Chiliar
| rebsls at CoroneI. where he called for cos
| on his way up to Victoria.
| The rtory of the incidents which led ur
| to the outbreak ard the seizure Of the ship
nf war by the Chilian rebels are vel
known.
/ Every Chilian craft, from fisherman!
| sloop 10 3 merchants, which venture from
| shore was pounced upon, its cargo taker
possession of sad il cent TO q little bay held
by one Of the men-cf war.
Every civilian, says Capt. Scott, favor
able to the cause of the ses force was tsker
on board the ships, and the preparation,
for the struggle continued. From the
ships could be seen the movements Of those
ashore. Husband fathers saw their wives
ana daughters shipped on the plazas by the
drunken soldiers, while the officers, feast.
ing and revell;rg, paid 10 attention to the
brutal conduc; Of the men.
This led TO the bombardnent Of Cofonal,
and also caused the insurgents TO take
possession of Iqu'que, With the intention
of marching on the capital and executing
President Balmaceds and the heads of the
government. The Gillian man-of-war
Bl'nco was lying at Valparaiso, with the
intention of holding ,bst tom. when II M.
s. Warspite arrived. The British flag ship
sent boat ashore, presumably for mail,
ETC., ard this bnst, beiog mistaken for one
Of the rebels, was fred upon as it passed
the fort No one was hurt, but the Blanc
accepted The shots as a challenge, and
standing in between the boat and the fort,
opened FIRE on the latter.
Ia the meantime Admiral Hotham had
communicated with the British consulate
and demanded an immediate explsuation
from the Chilisn government, whose spol.
oRies for the mistake were st once forth
coming. and in response to the Warspts's
signals the B'snco stopped firing
Before the Wes. Indian >uld obtain coal
at Coronel, che was require to give bonds
to the extent of Sl4, 900 that tbe would
neither cell nor give ANYTHING from her
cargo to the rebels. An E0glish firm fur
rished The necessary security.
Capt. Scott finally completed bis busines
at the port, and the West Indian started
out. but WAS followed by small steamer,
which sigaa,led him TO hesve to. No no.
tice was taken Of the signals, and few
minutes later the man-of-war E,merald
moved out from her moorings and e,arted
after him. under full steam. The West
Indian crowded on sil steam too, but WAS
not OUT Of rauge when the Esmerald's big
guns opened fire on her. and the West
Iudian dropped anchor, the flag of England
flying sr her peak.
A bost was at once lowered by the puY-
suer, and an officer with an armed party
can- oD board.
I'VE think you've got one Of our enemies
on board" said the officer. Capt Scott a.
sured him that such was not the case. and
complied with the bosrdss's request to be
shown the ships papers. The visitor
glanced ever them quickly until his eye fell
upon the item in the manifest of dynamite
and gunpowder, which he at once ssid he
must have.
Capt. Scott firmly informed him that they
would not get it. The rebel officer insisted
and offered TO pay four times its value for
sill or any part Of the explosives. The offer
was quietly refused. and the captain of the
West Indisn explained the nature Of the
bond he had given.
The rebel officer then announced that
they would take the cargo without leave or
permission.
mot while there are Eugli.hmen aboard. :"
was Capt. Scntt'- reply. There are ooly 40
ot us. well armed, but we'll make a lively
fight "
This a. first struck the naval man 81 a
joke, and he inquired what 40 men could
do sgainss wsrship.
I'VE can kill you just NJ fast as you
come on board" WAS the determined reply.
"and II yon open your guns on us, I'll get
up full steam sn3 charge into you. I've
got stont little ship. she draws so feet of
water and she's heavy, and if we don; sink
you, am mistaken"
Here was suggestion ths. fairly stag
gered the Chilian, and he finally decided to
apologize to the officers of the West Irdiau
for detsinirg her, and allow her 70 proceed.
and 30 the English steamer at last got away
from Chill and shaped her conree toward
Victoria.