The herald., 1895-04-02
A British Steamship Seized by
a War Vessel
WAS ONLY A MERCHANTMEN
Eventful Trip of the Steamer Pathan
From New York
Suspected of Carrying Munitions of War.
Reparation Will Be Demanded.
Tragic Incident

NEW YORK, April 1.-The British
steamship Pathan, Captain W. II. Wright,
which sailed hence for Chile and Japan
last July, arrived back again last night,
after an eventful voyage. She carried an
outward bound cargo of 5000 tons of gem
erai merchandise. While she was leaving
Foo Chow. bound for Shanghai, and while
near the lighthouse on White Dogs Island,
she was followed by the Chinese revenue
cutter Smith and telegraphed at Foo Chce,
on the other side. AT that point she en-
countered the Chinese warship Nanchin,
with signals flying, which CAPTAIN Wright
did not understand. The Nanchn fired
gun TO the leeward of the Pathan to lay to.
The signal being disregarded, second
gun was fired. and that being also un-
needed although the Pathan saluted with
her ensign, a solid shot was discharged
across the Pathan's bow and dangerously
near her.
By this time Captain Wright made out
the signal to mean, If you will wait
little, - a sort of Chinese pigeon English
naval phrase. The Pathan then hove to
and the Nanchin rounded to close under
her stern, with all hands at quarters and
her shotted guns trained on the steam
ship. An armed boats crew from the
warship boarded the Pathan with lieu
tenant, who demanded and received her
manifest The steamship left this port
before war was declared Dy Japan, and on
her manifest there were specified two
small cases OF reYolvers and a little case
of cartridges. The lieutenant returned to
the Nanchin and reported this uncon-
cealed fact to his captain, who thereupon
set the signal, Follow me, =" and steamed
slowly.away, followed by the Pathan.
When the vessels were behind the island
the captain of the warship boarded the
Pathan and refused to allow Captain
Wright to communicate with his consul.
The Chinese captain siezed the steam
ship, placed a strong armed guard on her
and took her to Tamsui, across the For
mosa channel. Here the greater part of
her cargo was unloaded in search for
munitions of war. Among the cargo was
a lot of perforated iron balls which be-
longed TO some cotton spinning ma
chinery These were soennly declared
by the Chinese officials to be dangerous
cartridges or shells, such as are known to
be used in war" Meanwhile Captain
Wright managed to communicate with
the British consul at Tamsui, and his
government being informed of the fact
promptly informed the Chinese govern
ment that unless the Pathan should be
released at once some thing would hap
pen" She was promptly released.
Reparation will be demanded for the
seizure and detention OF the ship and for
damage done to her cargo in the unload
ing and reloading of it by the Chinese.
The Pathan finished loading her return
cargo at Singapore, where several mon
keys and very large baboon were pur-
chased by the officers and crew. The
baboon soon became a pet with all hands
and was allowed to run about the deck at
will. While the vessel was steaming
through the Mediterranean on the morn
inc of March Ord the Chinese steward
Sam Tuck tried to place a collar around
his neck The animal turned viciously on
the steward, biting his wrist and forearm
in frightful manner. The crew chased
it about the decks, but before it could be
it jumped overheard and was
Blood poison developed from
the bites. and as the Pathan dropped an
chor at Gibraltar on March 18th the un-
fortunate steward died.