The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-15
CAPTURE OF THE sATURNUs.
Details Of the LoOting Of a Steame
by FilipinO Rebels.

Dy Filipino HeDels.
WASHINGTON, Sept. IA report has
been received by mail at the War Depart
ment giving an account of the capture and
destruction of the steamer Saturnus which
carried $4,000 In cash and valuable cargo.
The report follows:
1.-THE United States gunboat Pampanga
ing news of the capture Of the steamer
Saturnus, belonging to the Compania Mar
itimai The facts. as gathered d., from those
sailed from Manila on the morning of July
30 for San Fernando de la Union, on the
of the sS3 of
northern ports. 1t Is supposed the vessel
arrived of San Fernando on the 31st ultimo.
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 YES
sci showed her to be on fire. Small boats,
with native crews, could be seen carrying
the cargo Of the burning vessel ashore.
affairs. the gunboaf Pampanga sent a boat
out to the burning vessel to investigate,
but upon the approach of the boat with
mediately retired and opened fire upon the
boats crew, using Mauser and Remington
rifles from concealed trenches and sending
shells from two three-inch guns-which
formed concealed battery-over and close
to the little boat.
THE watchful officers on The Pampanga
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 Satur-
nus. A brief inspection OF the vessel showed
every indication that she had been looted by
the rebels. but the examination failed 10
disclose any sign of the crew or anything
to indicate that a struggle had taken place
on board. The boats crew then attempted
TO raise the anchors. but, falling in this,
a hawser from the Pampanga to the Sa-
turnus An attempt was then made to pull
her out of the mud. but was unsuccessful.
Saturnus and signaled the Concord. which
was sighted as she was crossing the Gulf
OF Lingayen, and reported all the facts OF
panga thereupon was ordered to Manila to
report the affair while the Concord re-
manned 70 attend to the rebels and the
the flames on the Saturnus had enyeloped
the vessel and she. to all appearances. was
THE Saturnus was commanded by Capt.
Antonio Aralucea and had two oficers.
three engineers and crew Of thirty-six
prisoners by the SeSes The carso Of tSe
vessel consisted Of $40 cases OF petroleum of
ten gallons to the case. 500 demijohns OF
10 cases Of linen cloth, cases of money,
containing $4,000 in cash, and ,946 packages
and bales Of various kinds. In addition TO
passengers and two children. all of whom
were either Filipinos or Chinos. There is alb
solutely no truth in the rumor Of the as
sassination or murder OF tue crew OF the
vessel.
The steamer Union. belonging TO the
Compania General de Tobacco. which sailed
a few days after the Saturnus for the same
port returned yesterday with the informa-
ton that the United States gunboat Par
aqua refused permission 10 her 10 enter
the port OF San Fernando and ordered her
to return 70 Manila
1T Is generally believed that a portion
OF the crew of the Saturnus and perhaps
some Of the passengers were In league with
the rebels and. knowing that the insurgents
the vessel ashore under the rebel guns so
, - TO make the footing more easy and the
capture OF the vessel and It's valuable cargo.
Continued sn Second Paee)