The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-26
A TERRIBLE SEA STORY.
Two Cinnamon Plot to Kill a Captain
and His Wife.
AND THEN QUARREL FURlOUSLY.
One Hacks and siashes the Other and
Then Commits suicide-A Tragedy on a
Voyage From Tapani-A Budget Of To-
days Happenings In New England.

GLOUCESTER, Mass, March 26.-Thc
Schooner Annie NJ. Smith OF Boston, from
Tapani, was spoken entering the outer
was learned from Captain Howes that a
plan had been concocted by the cook and
steward, who are Cinnamon, to murder
the captain and his wife.
The cook recsnted from his murderous
design, which so infuriated the steward
that he made an attempt to kill the cook,
hacking him all to pieces with a sharp
knife. The steward then finding the
cook would not die from the wounds he
inflicted, committed suicide by taking
opium and his body was committed TO
the deep Thursday. The cook is in a
precarious condition, and City Physician
Morrow was ordered to go aboard the
ship to render needed aid.
The cooks arms and legs exhibited sew
eral large cuts from four to six inches
long. From Capt. Howes more was learn
ed concerning the scheme concocted be-
tween the Chinese cook and steward to
taxe the life of himself, wife and officers
and then seize the ship. They were, he
said, very attentive TO their duty and ap-
peared to show the utmost kindness, both
to the officers and sailors during the voy-
age from New York to Marseilles, thence
to Trapsni.
Three weeks ago the steward showed
symptoms OF insanity and tried to kill
himself, when he was placed in irons and
confined between decks. AL examination
being inadc, large quantity OF opium
was fouud.
After q weeks confinement the cook I'm
tercedsd with the captain to iberate him,
saying he would be all right. This was
done and good behavior was promised.
However, when coming into the cabin he
showed q sulky disposition towards the
captain and his wife, and a few nights
after the mate found him in the state
room with rope around his neck. Think
ing he was delirious from the effects of
opium, he gave him opiates, but rather
than take II he said he preferred to kill
himself.
He was then again put In irons and con-
fined to his room. About q week ago he
was liberated, but was found one night
in the mates room with hatchet while
the latter was asleep. He had previously
been In the captains cabin, but on his
wife's awakening left. The captain hsv-
ing reasons to believe that conspiracy
was going on, armed himself with re-
volver and ordered the steward not to
como into the cabin again, taking the
boy aft to do the cabin work.
The captain and his wife becoming
alarmed over the situation, did not go to
bed and everything went along smoothly
until q. m. Tuesday last when the
mate, rushing into the cabin, said the
steward was killing the cook in the gal
ley. The captain and officers, together
with the watch on deck, broke open the
galley, when they found both men on the
floor, and the steward with knife and
butchers axe, was chopping the cook to
pieces.
The steward retreated to the state
room, when the door was fastened, the
wounded man was taken into the cabin
and his wounds were dressed. The cook,
who could speak some English, told the
captain the steward had conspired with
him to kill all the officers, together with
the lady, and seize the ship.
This he had frst consented to, but hav-
ing nothing against the captain and his
wife, recoiled from the murderous plot,
which infuriatsd his countryman and led
him to commit his rash deed. The stow
ard seeing his plan had been frustrated,
and thinking the cook bad been killed,
committed suicide rather than be surren-
dered to the state authorities on arriving
in port. This he attempted Wednesday
night, and he died Thursday at a. M,
his body being committed to the deep in
the afternoon.
The recovery of the cook in doubtful,
but he was ordered moved to the Chel-
sea hospital. The names of the China
men are: Aw Sing, steward, John Quong,
cook. The crew said that they knew
nothing Of the murderous scheme of the
steward. The captain and his wife were
very kind and had given the Cinnamon
no provocation for this conspiracy.