The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-05-16
is CAUSE FOR A WAR.
THE GILLIAN STEAMER ITATA
AN ARMED PRIvATEER.
tier Crew Armed 60 the Teetif---
Thrilling Experience OF
United states Oniccr.

a San FRANCISCO Speciat says IL -
stated that the United States steamer
Charleston will sail for San Diego In
pursuit Of the Gillian ship ltata. Secre-
tary Tracy telegraphed special orders
Mare island and anchored of San Fran
cisco. Instead of taking her usual an
chorage, she went behind Goat island
out OF sight. Her ostensible purpose
in coming down was 10 go outside and
try her guns. Officers aud men were
ordered to be on board at : o'clock this
morning.
SAN DiEGo, CAL, May a.--Tha deputy
United States marshal W no was placed
IN charge OF the seized Chilian warship,
ltata, and which set sail and carried
him off, put him ashore about eight
miles outside OF the harbor.
lie arrived in the city this morning,
however, the Chilian captain having
put him ashore at Ballast Point, eight
miles from town, and he made his way
in as best he could. His statement
makes rather sensational reading.
From the circumstances surrounding
the case. il is evident that the ltata is
nothing mole nor less than prlvateer
in the service OF the CHILEAN rebels.
The Marshal Was Prisoner.
Deputy Marshal SpauldIng's story OF
the escape Is as follows: after being
left on board in charge OF the steamer
l made hurried inspection OF the ship
and found nothing 10 be suspicious OF.
She continued 20 receive coal until
IL 80 a. IN. at which time / retired. /
did not sleep much during the night on
account OF several OF the crew whom
saw looking through the window OF
my stateroom which made me feel
N..I.
unusual occurred until 5:55 .. m. when
the boat containing First Mate Nelson,
the surgeon, with his medicine chest,
and two passengers came TO us. As
soon as the passengers came on board
ore OF them had short conversation
with the captain. / was at that time
In the dining-room. Five minutes
later / found TO my surprise that the
steamer was under n full head OF steam
and making for the ocean. The captain
came IN minute later and invited me
10 his cabin and, offering me u chair,
second later he was joined by three
passengers.
a Matter of Life and Death.
They exhibited revolvers and asked
me il was armed. The captain, act
ing as spokesman, said: Il have con
-
or death with me-. Then pointing his
finger 10 his throat he said See, this
is what il means. / was so dumb
founded that could not answer. He
then called two OF the CHILEAN crew
and they stood guard near the door,
each armed with II revolver and rifle.
He then told me not to be alarmed. but
that III | went out OF the cabin during
lis absence lie would not De responsible
for what would happen, telling me al
so that il attempted to give sign or
lump overheard lie would not be re-
sponsible for the result.
About this time | noticed them
lifting out OF the hold four steel can
non, which they Immediately placed in
position on the upper deck, after
which they were loaded in my
presence. Returning u few min
utes later the captain said
81 have spoken to the pilot and
instead OF putting you oil at Point
Lama in one OF our own boats we will
meet n boat from the pilot boat lying
at Ballast Point
'He then led me out OF the cabin.
followed by his companions, each
taking his revolver On reaching the
bridge found on the deck below 100
Chihans all armed TO the teeth, each
having repeating rifle and most OF
them being dressed in uniform, consist
ing OF red caps and jackets.
would Navigate with "a Revolver.
1.-The captain gave n saucy laugh and
said: Il see we have changed into a
man-of- war | looked at the ship and
said. are you going TO guide the ship
outT
the captain spoke up and said:
No; exhibiting revolver, this is go
ing TO guide it, The pilot turned pale
and said. Il guess 1 am in for it,
"By this time we were nearing the
entrance 20 the harbor and the captain
gave orders 10 he crew TO put over
ladder. also TO the pilot TO slow down.
Escortng me 20 the ladder, he said,
you must excuse me for putting you
10 this annoyance.
Put the Deputy Ashore.
after was lowered over the side
the Itata then pissed out OF the bav,
heading north. Making inquiries from
the boatnan found that | was indeed
eight mites from San Diego. protested
Sery vigorously ut being made
prison during the passage OF the ves-
sci out OF the hnrbor and also 10 leav-
ing tile ship while IN possession OF the
government. but they paid no attention
TO any protest and kept me prisoner
until they arrived nt "A point where
they intended 10 put oil. they were
very careful TO say nothing In my hear
ing mat would reveal any future
actions. except the captain gave me
uis name and address,.