The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-09-27
MASSACRED BY PIRATES.
ACHANESE CUTTHR0ATSC CAP
TURE A STEAMER.

Twenty Four Of the Passengers and
Crew Slaughtered - The Helms
man Cut Down and tho snip
Grounded-Two American Women
Taken Prisoners.
The coast of Acheen, Dutch province on
the Island Of Sumatra, has been haunted Tor
months by band Of native pirates, who in
frequent encounters, even with Europeans,
have shown themselves to have nerve as we'll
as cunning. Their operations reached oli-
max on August 4, when the private steamer
Of the Chinese Consul at Penang fell INTO
their hands, twenty-four men aboard being
murdered, fifteen seriously injured and S20,-
600 falling into tho hands of the lawless
horde.
Particulars received by the steamship Elk.
press Of China, which has arrived OF Victoria,
British Columbia, are as follows The Con-
sul's steamer, r. X. Atjeh, left Telop SemaWe,
July 81, at 5oclock, and three days later one
Of gang Of twelve Cinnamon. who embarked
as passengers, went on the bridge and asked
the man at the wheel If they were then pass
ing Sim Pang Olim. Receiylngan affirmative
answer, a Chinese who was armed with
klewang instantly cut the helmsman down
and Mr.. Alexander, OF Brooklyn, standing
near, shared the same fate Immediately after
ward. :,
A Chinese then took the helm and turned
the ship's head toward the shore, where she
grounded shortly afterward. Ageneral mas
sacre along the ships decks followed, pas
sengers and crew being indiscriminately
slaughtered. Captain Wood, who had been
living down in the cabin, came up on the
sound of the disturbance reaching him, and
Unnn6ad-
seems to have had Just sufficient strength to
regain the cabin and lock the door.
Chief Engineer Anchant, fortunately for
him, was in the engine room when Chinese
called for him to come up. Having heard
their cry Of "Orang Amokr' he was in no
hurry to comply, but removed the engine
room ladder and extinguished the lights.
Second Officer Baptist had narrow escape.
He owed his salvation to his presence OF
mind. He was sleeping when the massacre
commenced and awoke to see his servant
killed. He put out the light in his cabin
and opened the door, keeping quiet In the
dark. The Chinese afterward pushed
through the saloon, killing as they went and
helping themselves to cash only, securing
about 800, 900 In American money.
They then Quilted the vessel In two OF the
ships boats, taking with them some OF the
passengers-a japanese, two Chinese ano
Two American women. Finding the ship de-
serted Anchant came out OF the engine room
and fired two rockets, and then proposed
that he and some others should proceed In
the remaining ships boat to secure assistance
OF men-of-war. No sooner, however, was
the boat lowered than about eighteen OF the
passengers, who had escaped the murderous
assaults Of the pirates and were afraid OF be-
ing left behind, rushed into 1t, causing the
boat to sink, with the result that all were
drowned.
The Dutch gunboat Madura, which had
sighted signals Of distress raised blythe H. K.
Atjeh, came up next morning and sent men
to take charge Of the distressed vessel.
Shortly after the gunboat steamed away,
having rescued the persons aboard, the
Chinese returned drunk with wine to renew
the work of plunder, but met with such a re-
ception from the bluejackets that they re-
treated in haste with 8 loss OF ten OF their
number.
The steamer Graap van Bylandt, bound
from Edie to Telok, stood by at noon on the
following day and received q portion OF the
Atjeh's cargo, the balance Of which is now
being discharged In lighters, 80 chat the ship
may get off with the next spring tides.
The Dutch war ship is on the track OF
these pirates and will infict quick and de-
oisive punishment. The Achinese were re-
garded with suspicion when they oame
aboard and were searched without result for
weapons. It IL now understood that
weapons were smuggled aboard by Chinese
woman, who carried bolster and bedding
which were not overhauled.
Mate Alexander, coming to his Captains
rescue, was slashed with kris and died on
the spot. Captain Woods body was found
in his cabin chair when the door Of bis room
was forced by the gunboat's officers. His
body and that OF his mate were taken to sea
and given burial by officers OF the Madura.