The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-17
STEAMER LAURADA SEIZED.
THE GOVERNMENT TAKES CHARGE
OF HER At CHARLESTON.

The Seizure Under the Libel Pro-
ceedings of the New York Fruis
Dealers Ahead of That for the Cow
ernment on the Charge Of ViOIat-
Ing the Neutrality Laws-A Hattie
With Artillery Reported From
Cuba.
Charleston. S. C.. Nov 16.-The steam
yacht Laurada, while lying at her dock
here to-day. was seized by the United
States authorities on charge OF having
broken the neutrality laws. Yesterday
libel proceedings were begun against the
ship by Messrs. Trenholm, Rhett & Nil
Ter on behalf OF John Il. Kerr & Co. Of
New YORK, ana the proceedings to-day
We're not unexpected. The libel and COM
plaint sets forth that on Sept. 10 last, the
liboliants hired the Laurada for two
round trips to the West indies. That the
Laurada left New York on or abouE
Oct. = for the second Of the two con-
tract trip and in expectancy Of her
prompt arrival. the libellants had at var
ious ports in the island of jamaica a val
liable cargo Of fruits, perishabla in their
nature. ready for immediate shipmenE
upon the arrival Of the steamer. That
after the Laurada left New York the libel
lants are Informed and believe that tho
master and owners DELAYED the propresa
OF the voyage for the purpose OF taking
on board surreptitously some thirty-nvs
or more passengers, together with their
We're carried in the space lek
TO the libellants under the contract, and
We're landed al some point on the coast og
cuba, for all of which the master and
owners received a large sum OF money
Ihat the said stoppage and delay was
without the knowledge or consent of the
nbellants, and as the libellants are now
informed and believe, was in the exeou-
ton OF an unlawful purpose and object
ana that by and in consequence of the
Laurada's failure TO arrive on time the
cargo OF fruit was injured and damaged
and that In addition TO this loss to the
nbellants by reason of the carriage OF
said passengers, the steamer was detained
py the customs officials at Kingston, and
in order to let her continue her voyage
the llbellants were required to give bond
IN the penalty of fi00, which Obligation Is
still unsatished These damages are es-
timated 1T $4,000, and the complaint con-
Guides With the prayer that the vessel
lants.
This morning the Inspector OF customs,
acting under instructions from Collector
Bryan, went down to the wharf and
formally took possession of the vessel in
the name of the national government
Collector Bryan absolutely declined to
discuss the matter. and the extent of the
Information possessed against the vessel
Is not known.
Capt. Hughes Of the Laurada also de-
clines to talk at length He says that he
denies absolutely the charge that his boat
has engaged In hlibustering, or that she
has broken the neutrality laws. The
stories 70 that effect he says. We're start
ed by Spanish sailors who wished to in
Jure him and the vessel. Lawyers here
say that many complications OF "A most
interesting nature Will grow out of the
case should the libel be sustained for
then the question of prior claim between
the government and the libellants will
arise. The case is to be pushed in the
courts as rapidly as possible.