The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-02
bDhRDfDBY THE SPAN|ARDS.
ONLY AMERICAN STEAMER MO-
LEsTED DURING THE WAR.
Captain Lowry, Of the Smart Bark
Nellie Brett, Tells . Most later
estfng story Of Experience With


voyage OF the vessel was somewhat out %
Enc ordinary run. as DesI4es having 10 En-
counter extremely had weather the prev
asence Of war between the Lnitsd States
and Spain had TO lie taken into considera-
ton. owing 10 the fact that the Nellie
Brent was an American built vessel ard
shows her nationality IN evsry linz. Ee-
fore leaving Ne. York foy Auckland the
bark was placed under the British fag and
her crew Was shipped under British sr1i-
eses. Capt. r. Il. L0wry was the only
American On beard and as when ne leS
New York war between the TWO naFiols
was in fun swing, ne was naturally sons
what anxious 20 how matters would
eventually stand should he De overhauled
by Spanish cruiser.
AL wens well until June Is. the vessel
being then twRnty-s.x days out and in lat
;tu1e Z3.s5 north, longitude II. Al west The
verse. Was lying becalmed when the smoke
OF 2 vessel was discerned in the distance
There were two large English vessels and
one French vessel in view, ali with their
eus!gns Tying. which was matter that
Capt Iowry did not understand a. the
time The steamer. which was bound
away to the eastward, suddenly altered
ner courses and made in the direction Of
the Nellie Brent. and coming UP III close
proximity. hoisted signal winch tapi.
Lowry could not make out, although he
was watching very closely. No notice be-
ing taken OF the signal from the steamer
by those on board Of the bark, the former
sheered closer and fired gun across the
bark's bows at the same time running up
the Spanish flag.
That said Capt. Lowry. decided me
as 10 the course had 10 pursue, and AT
once ordered a signal 10 be hoisied.
afterwards found out that the signal was,
Show your origin. A boat was then low
cred from the steamer and went ALONGSIDE
Inc bark An officer was in charge OF
crew composed of twelve men and accom-
panied b. an interpreter tone Of the en-
gfneers, and evidently "a renegade Scotch
man" SO Capt Lowry says and sar-
geant OF marines. All were heavily armed
and there was a lot of arms and ammnni-
ton In the boat besides.
On boarding the vessel the onicer IN
charge interpreter and sergea ant proceeded
to the cabin and demanded the ships pa
pers which were handed over ar once Tor
ins2ect!on. Nothing evidently could be
made Of the register or manifest Of cargo,
but when the articles were produced the
Interpreter seemed to clearly understand
them and explained 70 the officer IN charge
that everything appeared 20 be satisfactory.
However in going down the list OF the
crew. Il was found that Capt Lowry WIS
an American. and when the captain ec-
knowiedged. upon being questioned. that
such was fact, THE glitter N the eyes
of the sergeant Of marines, Capt. Lowry
said, "made me think / would not like to
meet him alone on a dark night IN quiet
corner
The party from the steamer then proceed
Ell on deck, and the main hatch was taken
off TO examine the cargo 10 see II there was
any contraband OF war on board. The Of
ficer. finding everything in order. then de-
manded 10 see the flag locker, but upon see
ing the British ensign and the jack" was
quite satisfied that the Nellie Brett vas
really a 'Brit;saer-
Capt Lowry says that the officer was
gentlemanly IN his demeanor. and explain
ed that he was only carrying out his duty,
which. Of course. Capt Lowry fully under
stood, bu, at the same time he came to the
conclusion that II the sergeant had Il way
there would have been a very short shrift
for the captain Of the Nellie Brett.
Before leaving the bark the Spanish Of
fscer informed Capt. Lowry that ne would
proceed on board the steamer and report 70
the commander. and when the boat was
hosted on board he might fairly consider
that the vessel would not be further mo-
tested
1T took them long time to constd r.
though" said Capt. Lowry, for The boat
was alongside nearly half an hour before
she was hoisted up. and / was mighty glad
10 see her screws working. and the steam
or take Course IN another direction than
the one in which was going
The Spanish steamer was The Aiphonso
Kill, one OF the Cuban mail boats. and
was the steamer which got safely int one
az the Cuban ports during the war with a
quantity of arms and ammunition and
treasure She. was afterwards sunk by one
Of the American warships.
New South Wales continues 10 furnish
Admiral Dewey with supplies. The steamer
Culgoa, which, +, Vii! be remember d. / II
Sydney some months ago under the Be-
CLAN nag WIKI a ship !oad ~ provisions for
Admiral pewey's fleet at Msriia. IS oace
more benz On the same mission. She sail
ed for he Philippines with a cargo compris-
ing 5000 carcssses OF mutton, - carcasses
Of lamb. - tons % potatoes. 81 tens OF IN
Ions and % tons of carrots.
on November H. NJ $ Mldura return
ed 10 sydney after six months duty In the
New Hebyiaes IN conjunction win the
French waTship Eure. The British ard
French governments both have interests
in these islands. and with few exceptions
everything was found 20 be working
smoothly there.
Hamilton Hunter. judicial commissioner
for the Western Pacific. VINO recently Wis
tied Pitcairn island has prepared FOR the
high commissioner a very exhaustive re-
port en- the state % the people inaab5tinC
the ISLAND Islanders being left 50 long 20
themselves and having Irterm8yr!ed too
closely has resulted in a very low state
of morality, and IL is also stated thar Hun
ter has recommended that they be rsnov-
ell 10 some more populous center.
During the recent war scare there vas
q COED deal 81 sharpening ~ xabcrs lately
In New Zealand as the cables told Or thu
rnenaCing attitude az France. Wellington
batteries. which contain in all eighteen
guns including e'xhi.nch and six-.nch
guns. were oyevhaUlsd, r1ines at the e.
trance 70 Port Nicholson were placed =
preparation ana a torpedo beat patrol az
The entrance 10 the h.Arbor MAS rcnte.Tg-
plated. So that any ship coming along e-1
dark night with sinister designs on tas
capital wou86 instantly fall prey % the
little GestroyerS The STARE gave an tn
pctas 10 The ammunition industry large
order for bullets being a. once handed -
An@xsars Ammunition {-ayvrsauv nj