San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-04-01
THE PATHAN ARRIVES.
ENGLISH STEAMER SEIZED BY THE
CHINESE AND OVERHAULED.
Her Cargo Unloaded and the Ship
Practically Looted When
the British Consul
Calls a Halt.

NEW YORK, April 1.-The Brit
ish steamship Pathan, Captain w.
II. Wright, which sailed hence for
China and Japan last July, arrived
back again last night after an
eventful voyage. She carried an
outward bound cargo Of 5000 tons
of general merchandise. While she
was leaving Foo Chow for Shang-
hal and was near the lighthouse
on West Dog islands, she was fol-
lowed by the Chinese revenue cut
ter Smith and telegraph boat Foo
Chez, one on either side. AT that
point he encountered the Chinese
warship Nan Chin, with signals
flying, which Captain Wright did
not understand. The Nan Chin
fired gun leeward for the Pathan
to heave to. The summons being
disregarded, a second gun was fired,
and that being also unheeded, al
though the Pathan saluted with
her signal, solid shot was dis
charged across the Pathan'S bow,
dangerously near her. BY this time
the captain made out the signals
to mean, "If you will wait
a little while" a sort of
Chinese pig-English naval phrase.
The Pathan hove to at once and
the Nan Chin rounded to close un-
der her stern with all hands at
quarters and her guns trained on
the steamship. An armed boats
crew from the war ship boarded
the Pathan with a lieutenant, who
demanded and received her mani
fest. The steamship left this port
before war was declared by Japan
and on her manifesto were specified
two small cases Of pocket revolvers
and little box OF cartridges. The
lieutenant returned to the Nan
Chin and reported this fact to the
captain, who thereupon gravely sci
the signal "Follow me-" and
steamed slowly away followed by
the Pathan.
When the vessels were behind
the island the captain of the war
ship boarded the Pathan and re
fused to allow Captain Wright tc
communicate with his consul. The
Chinese captain seized the ship,
placed a strong armed guard on
her and took her to Tamsui, across
the FormOsa Channel. Here the
greater part OF her cargo was un'
loaded in search for munitions Of
war. Among the cargo was lot
OF protected iron balls belonging tC
cotton spinners and these were sol
emily declared by the Chinese Off
Gals to be dangerous cartridges OF
shells" such as are known to be useC
in war. Meanwhile Captain Wrigh
managed to communicate with thu
British consul at Tamsui and hi
government being informed Of thu
fact promptly informed the Chi
nese government that unless thu
Pathan should be released at one,
something would happen"
She was promptly released. Rep
aration will be demanded for the
selling and detention of ship anC
for damages and reloading by thu
Chinese. The Pathan finished re
loading her cargo at Singapore
where several monkeys and very
large baboon were purchased by
the officers and crew. The babOon
soon became a pet with all hands
and was allowed to run about the
decks at will. While the vessel
was steaming through the Mediter
ranean on the morning Of March Isl
the Chinese steward tried to place
collar around its neck. The ami
NAL turned viciously on the stew
ard biting his wrist and arm in
frightful manner. The crew chased
it about the decks, but before il
could be captured it jumped over
board and was drowned. Blood
poisoning resulted from the bite
and as the Pathan dropped anchor
at Gibraltar on March II the un-
fortunate steward died.
The Winners Saturday.
~ A