The sun., 1897-12-23
IN A FIGHT WITH PIRATES.
TAEkEE SAILORS BROKE a NUMBER
OF SOUTH AMERICAN HEADS

Chief Onoer Keeper or tho Bark Marion ,.
Harris Tells How she was wrecked on -
Coral Reef on Cape ~. nsaue aud How the
Grow was Attacked bS Nntives-Bark Lest
Chief officer Hooper and three Of the crew OF
the Philadelphia bark Marion s. Harris, which
was wrecked on coral reef of Cape St Rogue
on Nov. 10, arrived here yesterday aboard the
steamer Hevelius, from Brazilian ports. Tho
story that Hooper tells is the first detailed ac'
count Of the wreck that has been received. The
story is not only Of the wreck, but also OF tho
attempt on tho part of South American pirates
to board tho ship after she struck the reef and
to make away with her cargo.
Tho Harris sailed from New York for Rio de
Janeiro on Oct .. For more than month after
sailing the bark was favored by fair winds.
Early on the morning OF Nov 10, howevor. ac-
cording to Hooper's story, n heavy rainstorm
SGT In and tho wind died away almost to n dead
calm. With not SO much as n pun to fill tho
sails the bark began drifting TO tho southeast.
Early In the evening Of Nov. 16 Capt. Dasey
realized that unless wind sprang up soon to
counteract the force OF the northwest current
with which the ship was drifting sho would
soon be O wreck on the shore.
All the crew had been called on deck to bo
ready to set the sails in n moment TO any wind
that might carry the bark out against tho cur
rent. About $40 o'clock, while all hands were
waiting for tho breeze, tho Harris suddenly
stuck hard and fast on one Of the coral reefs
that make the paths of ships near The South
American shore so dangerous Tho sea began
to break over the ship. but as there was no inn
mediate danger OF her going to pieces. officers
and mon decided to stick by her until morning.
Early the next day Capt. Dascy and boats
crew set off for tho shore for assistance. Before
he returned tho vessel began to break up and
the crew set distress signals in tho rigging
These were answered In short time by about q
score OF natives in small boats. As soon as
these boats got near enough the natives. with
drawn knives. attempted to board the bark.
Seeing whnt their intUntion was, Hooper says,
| he ordered the crew to stand by with revovers
marlinspikcs. and cutlnsses. The orders were
not to Kill unless it wns absolutely necessary.
1t was not necessary to fire shot in order to
| keep the pirates from boarding the ship. but 1t
was necessary, Hooper says, to break several
! ness and despatch with the spikes. The battle
| was kept up until well in the afternoon. when
the natives gave up and returned to the Shore
Near evening Capt. Dasey returned to the ship
with n lighter, but the crew refused to endanger
| their lives i'll an attempt to save the cargo
Therefore the bark was abandoned and all the
| crew werc taken off. They were landed at
| Natal and from there sent to Pernambuco
| From there Hooper and three OF the crew took
| passage for New York on the Hevelius. Capt.
pasey Hooper says, with others Of the crew, re-
owners of the bark.
| The Marion g, Harris built in 1883 at
kraFeroe. Norway. She was first named tho
Linda. A few years ago she was bought by O
Philadelphia firm and her name was changed.
She was Of 293 tons burden.