The San Francisco call., 1899-09-05
HENRY WAS
SLAIN BY
THE MATE
New Version of the Death of
the Captain of the Ship
Cyrus Wakefield.
WAS HIT ON THE HEAD
An Undertaken Writes That In
spection Of the Body Upon Arrival
Here Will Show Foul Play.
Special Dispatch 10 The can.


D ORT TOWNSEND. Wash, Sept
4-The fate of Captain Henry of
the American ship Cyrus Wake
i field, while rounding Cape Horn,
seems 10 be shrouded in mystery,
according TO mail advices received here
to-day from Port Stanley. Falkland
Island On August il reports reached
this city to the effect that Captain
Henry OF the Cyrus Wakefield, while
rounding Cape Horn. was killed by be-
ing dashed against the cabin of his yes
sci by an immense sea. which swept the
deck of the ship. According 70 letters
received here to-day by Z. T. Biggs
from his brother, Alfred Biggs, who is
an undertaken at Port Stanley. it ap-
pears that Captain Henry met death at
the hands Of his mate, who during the
heat OF passion, hit Captain Henry on
the head with a carpenters hammer
and after the deed was committed loot
ed the cabin OF all valuables Accord
ing 10 the letter. Captain Henry had
been dead three DAYS when the vessel
put into Port Stanley. and the sailors
say that tha mate wanted TO run TO
Montevideo. but the sailors absolutely
refused to do duty unless the first port
was made. as they claimed that by run
ming TO Montevida0 the body would
have decomposed and necessitated a
burial at sea.
Upon arrival al Port Stanley the
body was taken ashore ard turned over
10 the Coroner. The mate refused TO
allow the sailors TO go ashore and he
was the only one who gave testimony
al the inquest. just before the Wake
field arrived at Port Stanley the man
at the wheel when Captain Hergv Was
supposed 10 have been kiAed BY the
shipping OF a heavy sea was hit on the
head by the mate and knocked sense
less. and when he came to himself the
mate threatened 10 kill him unless he
kept quiet.
According TO tie letter. after the body
of Captain Henry was taken ashore at
Port Stanley and the inquest was held.
the only witness being the mate, a YER
dict was rendered that the captain met
death by being thrown against the
cabin by the vessel shipping sea
The mate forsook his post OF duty and
took the first steamer leaving port.
when he was the proper person TO take
the vessel 10 the port of destination
Biggs, the writer OF the letter. says
the action OF the mate caused a sus-
picion of foul play The mate was
smoking high-priced cigars and was
spending money deliberately until after
the inquest was held over the remains
OF the captain. when he suddenly dis
appeared. leaving the ship without a
master. Captain Chapman OF the
wrecked ship John r. Kelly, with the
crew of that vessel, took command and
sailed for San Francisco.
The crew OF the Wakefield left here
say that the mate was responsible for
the death of Captain Henry.
Il took charge OF the body" saws
Biggs, and placed it in a lead coffin.
While handling the body I noticed q
hole in the head. which had the appear
ance Of having been made with blunt
instrument. but there were no other
bruises on the body. Upon the arrivaI
of the body OF Captain Henry al San
Francisco the casiet should be opened
and an examination OF the remains
made. and I am certain that the fact
would be revealed that Captain Henry
met death through foul play The can
tain had a big hole in the back OF his
head and since the inquest, the shin
carpenter says his hammer has disan-
peaTed.