Daily camera., 1899-05-02
CREW OF MONKEYS.
TRAINED 0ORILLAe SAVED The
BRITISH VESSEL.
fafs That Didn't 0rovI-Captain Re-
istsa = Remarkable Incident He ana
His Crew Witnessed in the Red Ss~-
Aads Good ss~msn.


riss regarding the possibility OF goril-
las being trained for useful occupa-
tons caused SO much comment last
year In scientific circles, would doubt
less be much pleased could he have
the pleasure Of a talk with Capt. Nc
Lauchlan of the British steamer Ny
ana, which arrived recently In Phila
delphia from Sourabaya. Capt Nc
Lauchlsn brings an account OF vio-
lent storm in the Red sea, during
which he observed a low saved from
destruction by her nearly all of
which were gorillas.
The Nyanza left Sourabays, Java, on
Jan. for the Delaware breAkwater.
Her course WAS through the Indian
ocean, straits OF BAbel-mandeb and
the Red sea. When on the latter in
hospitable sheet OF water the incident
occurred which has been the source OF
unboundsd wonder to Capt. McLauch-
Ian and his crew.
We were we'll up the straits" said
the former. when the barometer fell
rapidly and there was every indication
Of the approach of one Of those tenn
pests 80 dreaded in that vicinity. Be
tween 4 and 6 O'Clock in the evening Of
Feb. : there was only one sail in sight,
An Egyptian dhow with lateen sails.
on the same plan - the generality of
craft In those waters. She was of
large size and was apparently endeav-
orinS TO make port II Colino ahead OF
the brewing storm.
Soon we were within one-half mile
Of hsr. To my surprise l saw but three
msn on deck and no other sign OF life
anywhere. The hurricane was almost
upon US and called the mates atten-
ton to the dhow. implying that she
WAS in a very dangerous position
He had better get some OF his rags
in he replied, and in short order. too.
II he wants to stay ahoat.'
Scarcely had the words left his
mooth whom a most remarkable ex-
hfbition took place on the deck OF the
dhow. One of her men raised the fore
hatch cover. and IN the twinkling OF Al
eye eight big sorilias warmed out into
ascended the rigging. each to his ap-
pointed station. and in less time than
1t takes to ten 4 the odd-looking ves-
sci was stripped OF every sail and snug
ly hove to. awaiting the oncoming cy-
clone
The TEMPEST broke over the Syansa
and her strange consort. The latter
disappeared into the foam and mis-
and was lost to sight for nearly forty
minutes. When the sun reappearea
she was seen riding TRANQUILITY only .
mile or so Oh and apparently unin-
jursd.
Capt McLauchlsn. scarcely believ-
ing the evidences OF his senses. resolved
to further investigate the crew OF the
Egyptian vessel Luckily. he had an
Interpreter on board and sought an in
terview with her captain. 1t only
served to verify the facts as related.
Several photographs we're taken BY
Mate Walker. but all attempts to solve
the mystery attending the methods
pursued In training the odd crew
failed.
Imagine 4 crew OF docile chimpAn-
zees or Corriilas." said Capt McLauch-
Ian. Il don't know which they were.
but each more powerful than couple
Of men No need OF donkey engines to
help hoist sails. double topsafl yards,
or other labor-sAving devices. One 81
those fellows on the tail end OF braos
or sheet would make 'buckp' mata
with q Delaying pin laugh with gles
while there would be NO charges d
murder a. a result of collisions which
might occur between officers and
crew"
Capt. McIanchlan thinks that the in
auguntion OF monkey crews would 70
organise things at,oat. The cost a
sailing vessels would be reduced to
minimum. Jack the grumbler" would
disappear from the forecastle and n
would require only two or three humAz
oficers to run u ship. Naturally th'
hands" would be AZ well taken carr
OF as u ossible. also. for as property
they " ould cost money, and on the
same principle that a man takes car
OF his liorses the owners would keep
strict account OF them.
The idea Of employing big monkey
as sailors Is not without precedent
Even .Admira! .Schley has had an ex
perient.e with them, which furnishsI
one Of his most interesting stories. 40
cordin>; to the New York Marine Jour
nal, It was when he WAS executive ON
Ger of the Benicia. in the East Indies
in 1868 that he had \ highly intelh
gent owranG-outang As = member OF hi
crew. It was educated by the boat
swain's mate and picked up remaEA
able deg roe of culture. audacity and tn
ansr tri INNINGS Of humanity anon
the men. 1t learned Its hammoc
number. slept in 1t regularly an
picked It out OF the bunch unerringi
every ev sning Its services In short
ening sail or other work aloft. the ~
Miral sal,s. were worth those OF Al
dve men in tho crew. While Capt. Nj
LAuchlan realizes his experiences 10 ne
| without l,recedent, hs thinks that th