Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-03
BuRNrNa or THE RAPpAHANNooK


The Big Clipper so Well Known Here
Burned to tho Waters Edge at Robin
son Crusoe'a Island.
The fine American clipper, Kappa
hammock, so we'll known here for GER
tain unpleasant reasons, was burned to
the waters edge at the Island Of Juan
Fernandez on the night of November
18th. She lay at Anchor In Cumberland
bay at this time. Captain Dickinson
cannot account for the destruction OF
ship. The flames were suddenly dis
covered and in few minutes the big
ship was enveloped in fire from stern to
bow. The captain is inclined tc ascribe
the accident to spontaneous combustion.
The Rappahannock Is the largest
wooden vessel that ever entered this
port. Her Wilmington experience was
anything but pleasant one. On her
way out she was lightered and reloaded
and then, going aground two or three
times, the process Of Tightening and re-
loading had to be gone over again. But
that was only small share of her
troubles. Charges of extreme cruelty
were brought by ten Of the crew against
tho captain. The story told by the men
as detailed in the United States court
here, reminded the listeners of the press
gang incidents of colonial times. A
warrant Of arrest was issued, and Mar
shall Newlin, accompanied by Deputies
Thomas Reardon and A. L. Ainscow,
with delegation of newspaper
men steamed down the river in fast tug
| In order to intercept the big clipper
which had already cleared the port.
1t was dark when the officials clambered
/ 4l..k a.lfA a.
guard drew his pistol on the United
4 States officials but after little parley-
ing the latter were conducted to the
captains cabin. All the sailors were
found imprisoned in their quarters with
double chains reeved back and forth
against the doors and double guard
outside. The sequel Of the story was
the dismissal Of the charges against the
captain. The Rappahannock proceeded
on her voyage to Hiogo, Japan. Sub
scquently news arrived of the death OF
several of the crew by violence.
Juan Fernandez, where the conila-
grafton took place, is an island depend.
ing of Chilli and is the location Of
Defoe's famous story of Robinson
Crusoe.
The vessel is one of the largest wooden
ships ever built in this country. Hell
measurements are: Tonnage, 3,05S
length, 2S72 feet; breadth, 4S.9 feet
depth of hold, 2S.7 feet. She was built
at Bath, Me-, and was launched from
the ship-yards of Arthur Sewall & Co.
in February, 1890. The Shenandoah, q
sister ship, registered only 200 tons more
While aground on the bulkhead bal
off New Castle Captain Dickinson and
his family made numbers of friends a
the county town. There were numerous
receptions and social gatherings wher,
the chief officer Of the big clipper shiI
was the hero of the hour. The captain
and Mrs. Dickinson returned the hospi
talities of the citizens of New Castle by
splendid reception aboard the Kappa
hammock when hundreds of the towns
people attended.
Just before departing Captain ant
! Mrs. Dickinson were rendered tina
reception by the citizens when the guest
of the occasion wero presented With
valuable silver tea service.
The Rappahannock left for her des
tination, Hioquo, Japan, ON April 18th
From thence she proceeded to Liverpool
where q cargo was obtained for SaI
Francisco. She started on her naples
voyage in July last