New-York tribune., 1894-06-05
LOOTED BY PRITTC1L FISHERNEN.
A BRITISH STEAMER ON A REEF IN THE GULF
or MEXICO PLUNDERED-TowED TO


or MEXICO PLUNDERED-ToWED TO
THIS PORT.
The British steamer southery, bound from Mar
seilles to Vera Cruz. which went ashore on Alcran
Reef in December. and which was thoroughly
looted has been patched up. and she was brought
here Yesterday by the ocean-going Luckenbach tug
Triton. The Southery is now lying In the stream.
until the salvage claims are adjusted. The story
Of the wreck of the Southery and the experience or
the crew Of the rescue-tug Triton Is Interesting
The Triton left New-York on February H. bound
for Tampco The Southery was seen to be worth
saving and after towing two vessels--the oxford
into Key West and the steamer Romsdal to thls
port-the tug left this city for Alcran Reet on
March 81 Alicran Reef is a cay, seventy-hve mics
from YuCrtan. The Southery was fouhd Win he'
bow up high and dry the reef, but her stern was
almost submerged When the steamer was seen III
February by the Trlton's everything on her'
with the exception OF the furniture was intact az
though there one on boarl. Dut "he" "'o
TritOn's began to get to Work on the s'eh"'.i
on April ~ It was found that every portaple oo-
ject and the larger part OF the WOODWORK had pee.'
stolen by the fishermen. or pirates, or the gun
Even her boilers and steam-httinSs had beeh sto'e"'
\ crew OF nineteen men from this city and htteeh
NOR. on a schooner sent out 10y the NY W.
Wrccking Company set 10 work with lOu' "''''
and five pumps TO pump the water out OF '"e
steamers af;er-nod. The steamers cargo ""''"
was principally OF hydraulic cement haa D-eh az
most entirely ruined and 800 or 1900 tons Oh i.
were thrown overheard y large hoe was 'ou""
In H.. bow. and this was patched by putting
boards across the opening and placing dry cement
back of th.n. When this cement became dampehed
and dried 10 formed most efectuai barrier LOT
kc.,ing OUT the water. The men were however
forced TO LAY or ~ times on account OF the
effects II the lime. for sores would break out on
their bodies and hands, and cause theh "luo" az
Wh!le working in the southery The men lived on on
FISH turtles and their eggs sea guns in1 I go 49,
tfa he lflil
In The s,nI on tho Gag. ard the men say that they
made palatable eating. The men also founi cases
of wine that had been washed ashore. II Wa
tbe men on hearing this. thought that they mao
hem cheated. While looking about the sInhn
hurled I'M tho sand. found. He had apparently
died a natural i"ath Il was SAID That he was ohe on
of three sailors who stood 10y the shp d. pso e
cartaln AMI crew made their escape 70 froSreso
Mobile .... .,-.. r.o...
work CAPTAIN Frederick Lpckenbach. Of the Triton.
wen, 10 Progrcso He was there told by Mr.. addle.
tho American consul. that II was IN boats belonR-
M Car,ue,hc that the pirates haf sailed 70 Ancran
Reef and looted the steamer The LIckenoachs
lr iCe a demand upon the Mexican GoVerlnieit 10y
the Southcry'E rNngs which had pecn seized Dy the
Government upon complaint OF one pirate who had
not received his share Of the booty. Inc mexican
Government ropled that II 500 in cash 3nd the
boot, would be restored. These conditions were not
compiled with by the Luckenbachs. ana II was
ncrr-earv 90 tow the steamer all the wey here.
The steamer wns nonted on on May S and aNer re-
pqtrlng her the tug left the reef on May -. The
southcry was Insured for SliW captain LucKen-
bach says that the bones OF over DOZEN vessels
NOW Zee rotung on tho sands or tho treacherous
Tn. ovncrs %, The southcry are Culliford & Clark.
OF Sunderland. England. The Southery is single
screw. schooner-rggcd. and IS OF l.3H tons. she
was built IN lsS9 in sunderland