Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-06-05
WHIPPED BY YANKs.
Experience of Bulldozing Britishers
with Uncle Sans Marines.
Gunboat Petrol lnsulted by British Cruiser
Spartan-Apology Forced from the
Latter But the Sailors Take
Up the Quarrel.

A San Francisco morning paper says:
Fighting with champagne bottles as a
beginner and finishing with knives, q
dozen or so of the tars of the United
States gunboat Petrol whipped twice
their weight in Dritishers at Shanghai
shortly before that vessel sailed for
this port, where she has just arrived
The saucy little gunboat was made
the sport of a big British cruiser, and,
while marine battle was averted by o
prompt apology, the sailors of the two
war ships took up the matter ashore.
A handful Of the Petrel's men were
tackled by score of the lusty marines
from the British cruiser Spartan, and
blood and champagne flowed like water
The melee occurred on Washington's
birthday, and the events which led up
to it on the night before. The Spartan
arrived at Shanghai shortly after the
Petrol dropped anchor there. That
there was no love lost between the
crews Of the vessels was manifest from
the start, and the officers were only
polite to each other. Even politeness
was forgotten on the night of February
FL, when the searchlight of the Spartan
was turned on the deck Of the Petrol.
Every nook and corner of the little gun
boat was explored by the powerful
rays, and then to add insult to injury
the light was withdrawn, leaving all in
gloom, and then instantly turned on
again, as if those on the Spartan wanted
to see how the Yankees liked the treat
ment. There were mutterings among
the forward hands of the Petrol and n
scene of excitement on the quarter deck
where the officers were gathered. Capt.
Emery wrote q curt note to the COM
mander of the Spartan and dispatched
it without loss of time. The search
light was not turned on the Petrol again
that night and note of apology for
the discourtesy earlier in the evening
was received from the Spartan's cap
tain. The officers ON the Petrol were
satisfied, but their greetings to the
Spartan's quarter deck thereafter were
sitter than ever. The blucjackets Of
the Petrol were far from being salts
fled, and among themselves they swore
vengeance for the insult. The men had
not long to wait. Eight or ten of them
were seated in an upper room in sa-
loon on the following day when about
20 of the SEartnn's men entered the bar
room. The Yankees were drinking grog
and singing patriotic songs, when the
biggest Englishman in the intruling
Grew suggested that they throw the
Yankees through the windows. The
British tars started up the stairs, but
none of them reached the top. The
door above was suddenly opened, and
through it came q shower of glasses,
bottles and cases Of champagne which
had been stored in the little room.
When everything that could be utilized
as weapon was gone the American
sailors came flying down the stairs and
the battle became hand-to-hand con-
iiict. Knives were drawn and used
freely, and the English forces were
badly cut UP. When they were finally
routed, half a dozen of their men lay
bleeding On the floor.
The British consul subsequently, held
an official inquiry into the affair, and
the court decided against the Spartal.'s
crew. 1t assessed the ship the cost Of
the damage, which amounted to several
Thousand dollars