Evening star., 1898-09-30
AN EARLY NAVAL INCIDENT.
How Some Sailors Were Rescued
From Japanese Prison.

From Harper's Magazine.
Capt Geisinger formerly of the Peacock
hearing from the Dutch consul at Canton
of eighteen sailors imprisoned at Nagasaki,
ordered Commander Glynn in the United
States brig Preble to rescue them. At this
time the seas were so little known, the
charts SO imperfect, and the season SO in
clement, that naval men at Hong Kong
| laughed at the idea of the little 14-gun brig
ever arriving at her destination. At Napa,
in the Loo-Choo Islands, the natives openly
scorned the notion of Glynn being able to
do anything, when, in the japanese vic
tory over the Americans referring to the
episode in Yedo Bay-a ship of the line and
a sloop Of had been driven away"
All this put Glynn on his mettie. Reach
ing Nagasaki he dashed through the cor
don of boats and dropped anchor within
lange Of the city suburbs. The boom of
the cannon announcing his arrival was
sweet music to the American sailors in
prison. Boarded by d chief interpreter
with attendants, who inquired his business
Glynn was ordered to leave the waters of
Japan at once. The Americans immediate
reply was that his mission was to the gov
ernment. Then. rather ostentatiousiy. he
gave the order TO heave anchor, spread sail
and move forward. Visions of Involuntary
hari-kari at once excited the Japanese to
Noluble protests. Nevertheless, Glynn
moved into the inner harbor and anchored
within 200 yards of the batteries on either
side of the anchorage. He refused to see
anybody but the governor, sending word
that he would not leave until he had OBJ
tanned the American seamen on deck. He
demanded their Immediate release. Fur
thermore, he made il plain that If the cor
don of boats was not quickly broken up,
he would blow them out of the water.
During the nine days the Preble remain
ed a great army of soldiers gathered.
Extra guns to the number of sixty were
81 one of w h}rh piph lSr a
might have sunk the Preble. Yet in spite
of the glittering arms, the bright and varie-
gated coiors of the feudal banners and the
military and naval flags, the American
commander, while granting a little longer
time. refused TO modify his request. Half
of his crew were on deck all The time, and
every precaution against surprise and prep
aration for attack was made Glynn was
ably seconded by Lieut.. Silas Bent-atter-
ward with Perry, and the scientific dis
coverer of the Kuro Shiwo, or Pacific Gulf
Stream.
a new governor came into office Visiting
Glynn in the cabin, he asked for three days
more time Making end to suavity of
manner, Glynn dashed his fist upon the
table and exclaimed, Not another hour
Nor should the governor nor any of his
party leave the ship till he got an answer
Instantly the excited Japanese stood up,
the Interpreter telling Commander Glynn
that this was high officer and must not
be SO spoken to. SO am l." retorted
Giynn. L represent the government of the
United States" A parley was then asked
for by the Japanese. With watch in hand
Glynn waited during the promised fifteen
minutes. When the Japanese returned to
the cabin the governor remarked to Glynn
that he could have the men on the fol-
lowing day.
Then .grim-visaged war smoothed his
wrinkied front" With the frankest cor
diaiity Glynn ordered refreshments, extend
ed every courtesy and showed the officers
the drill, discipline. manual of arms and
general quarters. The next day the i'm
prisoned Americans were brought on beard
with every particle of property that be-
iopged to them or their owners Within
fifty-nine days from leaving Glynn had re-
turred 10 Hong Kong.