Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-25
SINKING OF THE CRETE
HAYTIAN ADMIRAL PREFERRED
DEATH TO SURRENDER.
Fired on by the German Gunboat Pan
Their - Further Details
Received.

interesting details regarding the sum-
Glary destruction of the Haytian gunboat
crete Pierrot by the German cruiser Pan
ther In the harbor of Gonaives September
last are contained in reports recently re-
relved at the State Department from United
States Minister Powell at Port au Prince,
And from other sources, including Hdytian
Newspapers. The German commander, as
ts well known, acted in strict accordance
Sith instructions from his government.
The Crete while commanded by Admiral
kilick, an officer of the provisional gov
ernment, was actually serving in the in
terests of Gen. Firmin, leader of cht So
called liberal party. The Crete attempted
70 establish a blockade at Cape Haytien
and had seized arms and ammunition which
the German merchant steamer NJ arkoman-
nit had undertaken to land for the opposi-
tion or government party. The German
government regarded the seizure as an act
bf piracy, and the Panther was ordered to
capture the Haytian gunboat ana destroy
her II necessary. 1t was in execution OF
these orders that the Panther went In
search of the Crete, and found her without
much difficulty in the harbor Of Gonaives
which city was then controlled by the ad-
herents OF the Firmin cause
A few minutes thereafter the Panther,
which was within easy range of the Crete,
opened fire. and continued until the last
careened on her side from the shock and
WAS soon a wreck
Another Account.
According to another account. the PAN
kher signaled the Crete, inmeda tely on
her arrival at Gonaives. to haul down her
flag and send it to the Panther. Admiral
Killick was not aboard the Crete at the
time and the demand was refused by the
officer In charge. The captain of the Pan
ther then sent boat to the Crete and noti
Ned the officer In charge that he had five
minutes in which to comply with the de-
nnand A boat was then sent from the
Crete to the Panther requesting more time
TO consider the demand, and il was ex-
tended TO fifteen minutes. At the exp'ra
tion of that period the Crete not having
surrendered, the Panther opened fire and
completely destroyed the Crete. The last
shot fired by the Panther penetrated the
magazine of the Crete. The crew of the
Crete deserted her in their boats at the
first fire, so that when the vessel sank there
was no one on board but Adimarl Killck
and his few companions. II is said that the
Crete was set on fire in several places be-
fore the Panther opened fire on her.
On the arrival of the Panther at GonaiVes
che signaled the Crete to surrender and
fired one shot, indicating that she had five
minutes TO do so. Most of the officers and
men of the Crete had shore leave and We're
not on the vessel. Admiral Killick had had
an operation performer the Gay previous ana
was in bed at his home. On hearing the re-
port of the cannon he hastily dressed and
with the officers and crew, rowed out to the
Crete. In the meantime a delay had been
granted by the German captain to consider
his demand. Killick. on reaching the deck
Of his ship. saw that 1t was useless 10
Eight, so he ordered the officers and crew
ashore. at the same time directing three
kegs Of powder. some large cartridges and
can Of kerosene oil to be placed In his
foom, After most Of the men had left the
hip Kilick retired 10 his cabin with two
hen. The last thing he was seen 20 do
was TO light cigar. fire this train. take
seat in a chair. dressed In his uniform. Be