The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-15
TO ESCAPE A SPANISH JAIL.
ALFRED WATTS LEAPED OVER
BOARD FROM THE MIRAMAR.

the Vessel Left Her Dock, He
Was set to Work rs stoker, But
Later Hustled on Deck and Jump
ed observation-disclosures Want 10
work for Nothing. and Then BE
Jailed ut barcelona - Spectacle
Witnessed Opposite Exchange
Dock.
The prospect of life that seemed worse
TO him than that Of a galley save caused
Alfred Watts sioker on the British
steamship Nuramar, 10 leap boldly from
the stern Of the vessel as she steamed
down the river yesterday at noon on her
way to sea. Crazcd by his miserable pros
poets and he mistake he felt tnat he made
in signing for the voyage Watts made
this desperate effort 10 escape in the pres
ence of several officers of the vessel His
clothing caught in The chains as he leap
ed, which caused him to drop fiat on his
chest Instead of making a clean dive as
he intended.
A moment after striking the wafer he
appeared several yards from the vessel
but the slow progress he made in getting
toward the city side. for which he set out,
ENORGQ LIdL MS titila were AdiDt- A'Dt'-7
men drifting near the Georgia and A.a-
bama wharves made for the man, whose
futile efforts 10 swim showed that help
could not get TO him any TOO soon. Two
boats reached HIM a. bout The same time
and without losing a moment, Watts pull
"a himself into one of them. and al once
took the oars from the cOlored bOatman,
being evidently Of the impression officers
from the MiramaT were in pursuit He
pulled with a will for shore, but only TO fan
into the hands of Policeman Crosby, who
arrested him for an explanation. Watts
had concluded 30 tell his troubles, and
was frank in his admission that he had
deserted the ship.
When the escape was made, the cry of
man-over-board brought crowds to the
riverside balconies. and caused heads TO
bob out from many windows. To ada to
the excitement of the spectacle the steam
ship slowed down, and the tug towing her
united, apparently for the purpose of pur-
suing Watts. If this was the intention it
was abandoned, however, as the vessel
proceeded on her way to sea.
Watts was taken ashore at the city *
change dock. He was completely tagged
out, but had not lost sight Of his object
TO escape, and kept an eye on the vessel
to see If anybody was in pursuit. After he
had caught his breath sufficiently to walk
he was taken by the officer to the call hoE
at Barnard and River streets, where he
was held some time TO see if the tug re-
turned for the prisoner. This was proba-
bly, the most trying half hour Watts ever
spent in his life, as he could not get
view of the river. and expected every mo-
trent to see the tug loom up 10 carry MN
back 20 the ship. He knew what the return
of deserter meant. and declared he would
jump overheard before he would so on the
voyage
An Of yez get out of there said
Watts to the rabble Does yez want the
captain TO see where | amg'
While waiting for the patrol, which the
officer called when he found the boat was
not to return Watts told a Morning News
man why he had become so desperate in
his efforts to escape. Last Saturday he
said he signed to so TO sea for ship
runner named Peterson. He was told he
would be expected 10 go on the Miramar,
but when he went aboard it seems he diG
not find things to his liking, and notified
Peterson Monday or Tuesday that he did
not care to go on the voyage. He asked
that another be engaged in his stead He
was told he would be expected 10 60
and the next thing was his arrest and
confinement on the vessel His deClara-
ton to break his contract caused those
interested to take him into custody as a
precautionary measure. Al the time he
declared 10 members of the crew that he
would die before he would go on the MI
ramar
After I had refused to go, knew what
awaited me in Barcelona said Watts.
LAS soon as we arrived / would be thrown
by the heels in Jail TO stay until the YES
sci finished discharging. Not only this,
but / would have been fined on account
of my imprisonment which would have
kept me working for over a month with
out a penny's pay. l thought l acted hon
orably with these people when l told them
in ample time l did not care to so. Scores
nf ar here n work and would
have been glad to get away. An ex-
change of this kind would have enabled
them to send me on another vessel, which
was what l wanted. The runners would
not agree to this. They said 1 would so
on the Mramar.
when the ship left her dock I was re-
leased and sent into the engine room to
begin work" explained Watts. But ]
knew some thing about the harbor, ana
about the lime l thought We were well
into the channel watched my chance
10 escape. Nobody suspected whore l was
going, though I moved as ieetly as posi-
bic. Passing over deck J saw Capt.
White. and brushed by several officers
who were about TO reproach me for being
out of my place. But ! lost no time in
getting off. Had ii been a sailing vessel.
! would not have had any trouble. as |
could have vaulted from her side. l could
NOT do this from the Mramar, however,
as there was danger of being drawn by
suction to the propeller"
About the time Watts concluded his
story he was confronted by Peterson. who
had heard Of the affair. He was greatly
vexed and chagrined over the disapposnt-
ment in losing Watts
you are a nice chap" said Peterson to
Watts, who was stiH shaking from his
thrilling experience.
Il told you in time I was not going"
he replied.
Yes. but you didn't tell me until you
had drawn all your allowance. You are
thief" said Peterson.
1T takes a good thief to get anything
from you people" replied watts.
1.-The ship viii anchor in the blight, and
you'll be sent on. Just lay hold Of him
officer" said Peterson.
At this point the arrival OF the patrol
caused the conversation 70 cease. Watts
was taken to the police station house
where he was landed on the charge of de-
eerting his vessel. This seemed to please
him however as il relieved him Of oil