The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-09-15
CAPTURE Of THE SLTURIBS.
HOW THE INSURGENTS SECURED
VALUABLE CAa6O.
Deliberately DeaehsA ~ Her
Crew Un1eP Gsss 81 1iliDlso Dss-
eary-Psssengers and Crew Soss.

WASHINGTON, Sept. IA report has
been received by mail at the war DEPART
ment giving an account o1 the capture ana
destruction Of the steamer Saiurnus, which
carried 1000 in cash and q valuable cargo.
The report follows:
The United States gunboat Pamphanga
arrived here yesterday morning bringing
the news OF the capture OF the steamer
Saturnus. belonging 10 the CompaniA Mari
tina
know are as follows: The Saturnus sailed
from Manila on the morning OF July 70 for
San Fernando de Tauncon. on the north
side Of the Gulf OF L.ngsyen, cayvlan. Cur
riHsAo and Apart ali Of which are northern
ports II II supposed the vessel arrived on
Ban Fernando on the sist uit.
When discovered by the gunboat Pam
panga she was lying with her nose buried
OF San Fernando. Both anchors were out
and unoke, which lowered closely over the
vessel. showed her to h. on fire. Small
boats with native crews could be seen car
lying the cargo OF the burning vessel
ashore.
Little suspecting the true condition of
AFFAIRS. the gunboat Pampansa sent
gate but upon the approach OF the boat
with the American uetackets, the natives
Immediately retired and opened Ore on the
boats crew. using Mauser and Remington
rifles from concealed trenches and sending
shells from two four-inch guns. which
formed concealed battery. over and close
10 the little boat.
The watchful officers on the Palnpanga
immediately ordered the fro from the
rebe. trenches TO be returned by the crew
OF the gunbcat. and. under cover Of the
ssturnus. A brief Inspection OF the vessel
showed every indication that she had been
looted by the rebels. but the examination
failed TO disclose any sign OF the crew or
anything to indicate that struggle had
taken place on board. The boats crew
then attempted 10 raise the anchors but
falling In this they cut the anchor chains
panga to the propeller OF the Saturnus An
attempt was then made 10 pull her out Of
the mud and sand. but was unsuccessful.
The Pampansa then abandoned the
wrecked Saturnus and signaled the Con-
cord, which was sighted az she was cross
Ing the Gulf OF I.ingaycn. and reported all
tho facts OF the discovery 10 her command
or. The Psmpanga thereupon was ordered
10 Mania TO report the affair. while the
Concord remained TO attend 10 the rebels
and the wreck. When the gunboat left tho
scene the flames ON the Saturnus had en-
vcloped the vessel and she. TO all appear
ances, was doomed.
The Saturnus was commanded by Capt.
Antonio Aralucea, and had two officers.
natives. !, Is Supposed that ali Il wers taken
prisoners by the rebels.
The cargo OF the vessel consisted OF
case u co d.mi,oSns OF Wine ias barr 81 OK OK
wine. 80 sacks OF rice, ten cases OF linen
cloth. seven cases ~ money containing
$40. 600 In cash. and .i9S packages and bales
OF various kinds In addition to the cargo
the vessel carried twenty-six passengers
and two children. all Of whom were either
Fiipinos or Chinese.
There In 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 n few DAYS
after the Saturnus for the same port. re-
turned yesterday with the information
that the gunboat Paragua refused per-
mission to her 10 enter the port OF San
Fernando and ordered her 10 return TO
Manila.
1T In generally believed that a portion
Of the crew and perhaps some of the pas
sengers were In league with the rebels,
and knowing that the insurgents had n
concealed battery planted there, ran the
vessel ashore under the rebois guns so
as 10 make the iooting free and easy and
the capture ~ the vessel and It's valuable
cargo, together with its officers. more com
riete and with Ltsle danger 10 Them
selves"
a subsequent report received here states
that the passengers ~ the Safurnus were
all safe and uninjured at Tariac. the FL
ipino capital II was expected that the
crew and passengers would arrive In Ma
Mia soon. as ~ was sald they were free
to go wherever they pleased unmoies'ed.
The Saturnus was fully insured against
loss. including the risk OF war.