The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-21
WAR ON OLYMPIAN.
Desperate Quarrel Between
Officers on a Trip.
THE CAPTAIN PULLED HIS GUN.
Large Part of the Crew Strike Over
the Row Passenger List
Water Front.

serious difficulty took place between the
officers on the steamer Olympian yesterday
morning, SIS she was leaving Victoria, aud ex-
citing and disgraceful scenes were witnessed by
the passengers ct various intervals eli the way
to Seattle. So warm did the trou bic become
that Captain MeAlpine and First Officer 2.
Burns drew revolvers and threatened TO shoot
Henry Smith, first assistant engineer.
AS near as can be learned the trouble origi-
mated between Assistant Engineer smith and
deck hand. II has been customary for deck
hands 70 use the fire pump for washing decks,
but when one of them attempted 10 do so on
this occasion, Smith objected and in the alterea-
tion struck the deckhand. knocking him down.
Another deckhand interfered and was knocked
down by fireman. Captain McAlDine was
called and in trying 70 settle the trouble before
the chief engineer, Smith attempted 70 strike him
but in an instant found himself covered with
revolver. Peter Kane, deputy inspector OF Gus
toms. was aboard, and First Officer Burns took
sides with Captain McAIpine, and though Smith
threw up his hands when he found the
revolver stuck in his face, he had
II in for Burns, and when the
boat was leaving Port Townsend, ma de an at
tempt TO strike him, but again ne was forced to
LOOK into the muzzle OF a revolver. The whole
crew was now worked up, the engineers, fire.
men, coal passers and water tenders taking
stand against the field, but outside of consider
able loud talking, no further trouble took place
until the boat reached here, when ali the en-
Eineers except the chief, five firemen, five coal
passcEs and the water tenders in all
struck and as it took some time TO find new
men to take their places, the boat could not
make her trip TO Tacoma new crew was
picked up last night, however, and she went out
in charge of Captain Anderson, of the Victorian.
Captain McAlpine and all the engineers and
firemcn remained here to have the matter in
vestgated before the local board OF United States
inspectors OF steamboats,, as they are all licensed
officers.
The stories regarding the trouble are very con-
flicting. The chief engineer and Captain Meal
pine both refused to say anything, but Port
Captain Rathbone stated 10 a Posi- ISTELLI-
GENcER reporter last night that from what he
could learn, Engineer Smith was responsible
for the whole affair
"Smith is a sort of prizefghter,' said Mr..
Rathbone, land was beating one of the deck
hands without any just cause Another deck
hand interiered and was assaulted by fireman.
The thing getting too exciting, and
threatened to be a general battle between all
the engineers and firemen and the deckhands.
OF course il was the captains duty 10 stop il,
and when Smith attempted to strike him, feel
that he was justified IN drawing a revolver. AS
near / can make ont. the captain talked
civliy and kindly to him, and referred the mat
ter to the chief engineer 10 be settled, but Smith
wanted trouble. do not intend 10 do anything
in the matter. not even say who is responsible,
until after the investigation before the board OF
inspectors. I satisfied the matter VIII be
thoroughly sifted there"
Engineer smith and his partner, Billy Patter-
son, second assistant engineer, made the follow
ing statement:
1.-The IRE pump is to be used only for fire pur-
poses and il is the duty of the engineers 70 see
that ii is used for no other purpose 1t has
been customary to allow the deekhands to use
ii for washing decks instead of having them go
to the trouble of starting the forward pumps
on two previous occasions when they shut it
OF, the coupling blew out and it took several
hours TO fix ii, and IL fire had broken out in
the meantime there would have been no way of
putting il out 1t wss therefore decided 10 stop
the deekhsnds from interfering with the
pump altogether. Smith was in the room today
when one OF them came in and shut of the
pump. Smith told him he must not NEEDLE
with il, but he insisted that he had right TO
40 SO. and began abusing Smith until
Smith struck him. Another deck hand
took his part, and the two of them
were going for Smith when fireman came to
his assistance. Captain NcAlpine then utter
feTed, but was told 10 mind his own business
and not NEEDLE with the engineers department
heAlpine went back 70 his room and In few
seconds returned with a revolver, and. pointing
IL at Smiths head, snapped il twice. Smith
threw up bis hands and begged the captain not
to shoot him, as he had the drop on him
Customs Officer Kane then began taking off his
coat, and told the captain: 60 for them and
jill stand by you When we were pulling out
Of Port Townsend, Smith started to go into the
saloon, but Mate Burns drew revolver on him
and would not let him. Burns chased Smith all
around the deck, threatening 10 shoot him,
until some OF the passengers took hold OF him
and made him put the revolver in his pocket
"On reaching here all the union men in the
engineers department quit, and we intend to
refuse to go to work until the captain apologies
for drawing a revolver without cause. The
chief engineer ind0rses our action, and, if
necessary, VIII stand by US"
Customs Officer kane's story was that Smith
had chased tie deckhand with an iron bar
threatening to Kill him, and that he went down
with Captain McAlpine. at the captain solicita-
ton, but made no Interference, except to stop
fireman when he attempted 10 strike deck
hand who was all cut aud bleeding from the
face. He said the language used by several of
the engineers aud hremen in the presence of
lady passengers was disgrsceful.
While Kane was talking to the reporters, sew
eral of the engineers and iremen stood around
guying him AMI using abusive language toward
him. but he paid no attention to them.
The story that Captain McAipine snapped the
revolver in smiths face is contIadictei by sew
eral persons who were looking on. and Port
Captain Rsthbone examined the cartridges and
found no mark on them at all.
WHO OWNS THE cove