The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-20
DROWNED In THE BAY.
The Remarkable Greer of Robert
Lar L.. I.n...I

The Remarkable Greer Of Robert Por-
ter, Vino Escaped From Gibraltar.
Another life was lost by a fall into the
bay last night George Stanhnpe, Robert
Porter and another sailor went down the
wharf at Pacific street 10 board the British
ship lverna. All the men were more or
less under the influence of LIQUOR and Por-
ter was hardly able TO. walk When he
reached the gangway leading up to the
ship Porter cfawled up and was about TO
step on the ships rail when he lost his
balance and fell beadlong between the wharf
ana the vessel. The mans head struck tho
strlnger of the wharf, the body rehounded,
struck the fender hanging from the ships
side and then fell into the water AID sank
at once. Several OF the Iyerna's crew saw
the accident and ran to the edge of the
wharf with ropes, but Porter never came 10
the surface. 1t is probable he was killed
when he struck the stTiEger as patch of
blood and hair cliDging to the timber
showed the man was badly injured by the
fall. The crew OF the ship at once reported
the matter to Sergeant Cohrn at the north
haI Dor station and the draGs were sent
down, but UP 10 a late hour last night the
body had not been recovered. Porter mar
rowly escaped drowning once before as he
fell from Pacfc-street wharf about o'clock
yesterday afternoon, but was rescued after
a hard struggle by Mate Jones of the Lord
DuferIn, who almost lost his own life in
dragging Porter out OF the bay. Porter
arrived here about two months ago on the
ship Manuel Llaguna from New York. and
since that time has been knocking around
the city front and has spent most of his
time in drinking. Porter, who was native
OF Ireland, was about 40 years Of age, and
has had rather remarkable career.
lie Joined the British navy when a
boy, and for while was on board
Nelson's old flagship the victory He was
then sent TO the west coast of Africa, where
be did service on one of the small cruisers
chasing slavers. He next shipped on the
famous frgate Galatea and in her made a
cruise around the world in the Flying
Squadron. When the ships were at Ma
delra, on their way back 10 England. Porter
with seven others, stole boat and at
tempted to run away, intending to have
spree on shore, but were Overhauled and
taken back TO the ship by steam launch.
Instead OF quietly submitting to be- placed in
Irons the men showed fight, and where not
subdued until murder had been commi tied.
the victim being one OF the lieutenants.
The captain OK the vessel was also severely
injared, and for this the men were taken to
Plymouth and tried by court-martial for
murder and mutiny. Porter and two Others
were condemned to hang and the others
were sentenced to life Imprisonment with
hard labor in the fortress of Gibraltar.
Just week before the doomed men
were to die Queen Victoria COM
muted the three wretches to life
imprison ment. and they were taken
tbcii COupdIiDuS III cTlTQe 10 SpeDQ
the remainder Of their days on the famous
rock. The conviets were employed in tun-
Gellng out the chambers for the guns and in
building roads. Porter did not like his new
quarters, so made up his mind to leave at
the first opportunity. But this was no easy
matter, as only one prisoner had made his
escape from the rock in thirly-fve years, and
be was drowned while swimming off TO
ship. BY some means or other Porter sue
ceefed in getting hold Of woman's dress
and cloak, and one day. when there
was party of visitors In the
batteries, ne slipped the dress and
cloak on over his convict's garb and
boldly walked out with the visitors. Once
outside the lines he got rid of his prison
clothes, and by assisting a Spanish market
woman to carry her basket be crossed the
strip known as the neutral ground and es-
capped into Spain. In spite Of the fact that
his escate was discovered within an hour,
and large reward offered for his capture
he got away and finally reached Malaga In
safety. It Is said that before he had gone
i've miles he was passed by Spanish soldiers
sent to hunt him down. From Malaga Por-
ter made his way to Genoa in small trad
Ing vessel, and then got on board an Amer
lean bark bound to New York. After that
he remained in the United States, and was
careful 10 sail only in American ships, as
ne well knew that should he go to any part
OF queen Fictoria's possessions he would
run great risks of being returned to Glib
raltar.