Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1896-07-24
Pirates Loot a Milford Built Bark.

Details received of the stranding of the
Philadelphia bark John Baizely on the
island Of Montanha, or Wung Kun, aud
her subsequent towing into Hong Kong,
tell of most thrilling experience Of Cap
tain Shepherd aud his crew in their eff
forts to drive away a large number Of
Chinese fishermen who swarmed on
board the vessel and removed from her
everything portable. These fishermen.
who are but half civilized. threatened the
lives of all hands and, after overpowering
them, ransacked the vessel from stem
to stern. Every copper fitting was taken
away, aud the cabins were left destitute
of clothing and furniture The pirates
also went aloft aud cnt away tae calls,
appropriating the canvas to their own
use. For a time in Hong Kong aud
Philadelphia it was the general belief
that Captain Shepherd and his crew had
all been murdered, but they finally
reaehedHopg King, where the assistance
of the steam tug l'aE1e was secured and
the vessel foated and towed into Hong
Kong, where she is nnw out in the Cos
mopolitan Dock overhauling.
The trouble experienced by Captain
Shepherd and the lonting of his vessel
by these piratical halfbreds may lead to
serious tropble, as Captain Shepherd
means to bring his grievances to the. 1t
tention of the United States officials He
will demand recompense for what he has
lost aud for the dangers experienced, as
we'll as what he states was a narrow
escape from death.
TIE waters in the locality where the
Philadelphia bark struck are infested
with pirates, yet 10 efforts haYe been
made by the Chinese Government to rid
the seas of them. They frequent and
exc out an existence in just such prey As
the Baizely. It is generally regarded as
lust ss good as death 10 land on any OF
these small islands. Had It not been for
the courageous conduct Of Captain 5hep,
herd not one member Of his crew would
have been spared TO tell the tale of the
disaster.
The John Baizely was, at The time she
went ashore, bound from Singapore,
April 20, for Hong Kong with general
cargo. aud went ashore through the pre-
valence of currents for which calcula.
tons had not been made. She had not
been ashore many hours before she was
sighted by these savage fishermen,
whose boats could be seen from every
direction heading in toward the scene
of the stranded craft. The crew became
terror STRICKEN. but Captain Shepherd
had every man to his post, aFming each
with PISTOLS guns or whatever weapons
he could provide In this way the meu
were held at bay for a time, but Captain
Shepherd realizing that the only way
to save tie vessel would be to get assis-
lance from Hong Kong. was compelled
to leave his ship In the small boat with
his crew. It was when he came back
that he found that the vessel was looted
The pirates were dressed in the Captains
best clothes. Que had OIL bis high SIR
hat while others were arrayed 10 most
costly articles purchased iu San Fran
cisco. Seeing the approach Of the tug
Fame they disappeared, as they are much
afraid Of being captured by the Hong
Kong authorities.
Whether or not the BAizely is insured
cannot be learned here. but she IS ves-
sci that has attracted much attention