The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-27
THEY DETESTSTURDY.
Almost a Mutiny on the New
Cruiser Olympia.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO BLAME.
or Seventy Men Taken Ashore to a
Funeral. One-Tenth DeSert-The
ship Turns Back.

San Diego. April 26.-The cruiser Olym-
pia sailed this evening for San Francisco
The funeral OF Cotswain Johnson ycster-
day afternoon was attended by about
seventy men. In charge of one officer
from the ship. on the way out TO the
cemetery seven sailors suddenly broke
ranks and fed. One Of them was seen on
the streets about IL this morning. He had
been In hiding all night and until that
hour. and was under the impression that
the ship had just sailed When informed
that he was wrong. and that the sailing
hour had been changed 20 this evening
he at once prepared TO get out OF sight
again. saying: II would rather go 10 the
desert and starve than 30 aboard the ship
again
He was not ask "A for his name. hut
stated that he was an American and had
entered the navy a Detroit. He had
been on four or FIVE different cruisers. but
never had met sn experience like this on
the Olympia. The situation was little
short or open mutiny. lie charges all the
trouble 10 the fret Lieutenant and eXecu-
tive officer. r. ". Sturdy and says that
capt. Reed is chiefly at fault because he
does not interfere with Sturdy in behalf
OF the men. All The officers but one dts
like Sturdy more or less. but OF course
they have not been oppressed like the
men. and their dislike Is therefore less
active
The mans further statement more fully
Indicated the gravity 81 the situation. He
said che understa nding among me crew.
"a obtained Vartousiy from the officers.
was THAI whom the Olympia left santa
Earbara she was 20 come "a this mort
and after remaining a few days was 10
ieisurcly proceed down the coast after tha
Monterey. her mission being similar 70
that Of the Monterey. iu the eveis OF A
needed demonstration in Southern waters.
hat BY the time che Olympia rea rhsa here
the turmoil and Dissatisfaction was 80
great that The captain saw ~ orCa that
q would not he safe % proceed further
on a long voyage. but that 81 would not
even 10 safe 10 enter the harhor. as he
knew the men would desert at The arst
opportunity. That WAS fhe raj reason
Ne s1id not bring the cruiser into port.
and Why 10 aiG rot proceed as originally
Intended From here. the sailor said.
y i believed by the crew. the captain
sent 20 Washington Ctty a statement q
the con lstton 81 Affairs, end asked fer
orders 80 RETURN 70 Mare ss3Aua for the
cypress purpose 81 holding an invest iEa-
tlon aa3 couTt-7'la r1&al. Il being under
stood that ne preferred that course rather
than 60 take the responsibility % remov-
irz sturdy an bis own authority.
ssas-erz 81 she cruiser TODAY denied ;ka
r,rorts ~ re satio~s that theve was an IN
SUITE eg,s.v ~ tooA On ere ship They said
rhe complaints regarding tss quantity CT
0aH!trv - focd we're entirely Wa warrant
- ana That tney personally insp~ssei the
food Tsven 20 ire men. TIE ofseerr a. well
as men regretted that The ship -oaid Tot
enter the earshor. They explained thar
cart Red vas unser orders 'foua the
secretary % Fhe navy 20 anchor ~ Ger
oraHo. ARD the commander lad IN DIS
erection IA the matter.