The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-15
LOOTED BY THE REBELS
Valuable Cargo of the Saturnus
Was Captured.
CREW TAKEN PRISONERS
1t Is Supposed That Some of Them
Were in League With the Tnsur-
gents-Ran Her Into
the Mud.

Washington, Sept. IA report has
been received by mail at the war de-
partment giving an account of the de-
struction of the steamer Saturnus.
which carried $4,000 in cash and a val
liable cargo. The report follows:
THE United States gunboat Pam
panga arrived here yesterday morning,
bringing news of the capture of the
steamer Saturnus belonging to the
Compania Martina.
THE facts as gathered from those
who know are as follows: The Saturnus
sailed from Manila on the morning of
July 30 for San Fernando de Tauncer
on the north side of the gulf of Lin
gayen. Cayvian and Camaro, which are
northern ports. 1t is supposed the yes
sci arrived off San Fernando on the
31st ult
when discovered by the gunboat she
was lying with her nose buried in the
sand of the shore south of the city of
San Fernando. Both anchors were out
and smoke, which lowered closely over
the vessel. showed her to be on fire
Small boats with native crews could be
seen carrying the cargo of the burning
vessel ashore
Little suspeCting the true condition
of affairs, the gunboat Pampanga sent
boat out to the burning vessel to in
vestigate. but upon the approach of the
boat with her American blue Jackets,
the natives Immediately retired and
opened fire upon the boats crew, using
Mausers and Remingtons from con-
cealed trenches and sending shells
from two three-inch guns. which form
ed a concealed battery over and close
to the little boat.
The watchful officers on the Pam
panga Immediately ordered the fire
from the rebel trenches to be returned
by the crew of the gunboat, and under
cover of the guns of the warship the
boat reached the Saturnus. A brief in
spection of the vessel showed every in
dication that she had been looted by
the rebels, but the examination failed
to disclose any sign of the crew or any
thing to indicate that a struggle had
taken place on board. The boats crew
then attempted to raise the anchor, but
failing in this, they cut the anchor
chains and attached a hawser from the
Pampanga to the propeller of the Sa-
turnus. An attempt was then made to
pull her out of the mud and sand, but
was unsuccessful.
The Pampanga then abandoned the
wreck Saturnus and signalled the Con-
cord. which was sighted as she was
ported all the facts of the discovery
to her commander. The Pampanga
thereupon was ordered to Manila while
the Concord remained to attend to the
rebels and the wreck. When the gun
boat left the scene the flames on the
Saturnus had enveloped the vessel and
she. to all appearances, was doomed.
The Saturnus was commanded by
Captain Antonio Aralucea and had two
officers, three engineers and crew of
sc natives. 1t is supposed that all
were taken prisoners by the rebels
The cargo of the vessel consisted
of $50 cases of petroleum, of so gallons
to the case; 143 barrels of wine, so sacks
of rice 10 cases of linen cloth, seven
cases of money. containing $4,000 in
cash, and 1,496 packages and bales of
various kinds. In addition to the cargo,
the vessel carried rs passengers and
two children, all of whom were either
FilipinoS or Chinese.
There is absolutely no truth in the
rumor of the assassination or murder
of the crew of the vessel. The steamer
Union, belonging to the Compania Cen
eral de Tobacco, which sailed a few
days after the Saturns for the same
port, returned yesterday with the in
formation that the gunboat Paragua re-
fused her permission to enter the port
of San Fernando and ordered her to
return to Manila.
1T is generally believed that a por-
ton of the crew and perhaps some of
the passengers were in league with the
rebels, and knowing that the insur-
gents had concealed battery planted
there, ran the vessel ashore under the
rebel guns so as to make the looting
free and easy and the capture of the
vessel and it's valuable cargo. together
with its officers, more complete. and
with little danger to themselves"
A subsequent report received here
settes that the passengers of the Sa-
turnus were all safe and uninjured at
Tarlac, the Filipino capital. 1t was
expected the crew and passengers
would arrive in Manila soon, as it was
said they were free to go where they
please unmolested. The Saturnus was
fully insured against loss, including the