Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-27
RECOVERED THE BOY
United States Intervenes to
Prevent Shanghaiing.
FRENCH BARK BOARDED
COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS AT NEW
YORK ACTS PROMPTLY.
Youth, Whose Name Is Thompson, Tells
Rather Contradictory Stories
Bark Held.

: NEW YORK, August 27.-The American
boy who tried to escape from the French
bark Marechal de Gontaut yesterday, al
leging that he had been shanghaied. was
taken from the vessel early this morning
by Collector Of the Port Stranahan, who
had gone out to sea on the revenue cutter
Gresham to rescue the boy.
The rescue was made after an all-night
search at sea. about four miles east Of
the Sandy Hook nghtship. The boy is
named Hugh Thompson, Is sixteen years
old and is the son of sailor who ships
on coastwise vessel which plies between
Bangor, Maine, and points south.
After he had been taken in charge by
the revenue officers, young Thompson said
he had not been forcibly taken to the boat,
but had gone with the consent Of his
father.
Did Captain Pay for BoyP
He said, however, that he thought he
was to ship on a coaster, and when he
found that the MarechaI de Gontaut was
bound for Yokohama and that he would be
absent for many months he wanted to re-
turn to his home. The government officials
declare that Capt Dennierre Of the French
man made statement that he had paid
S36 to a boarding house runner for the SER
vices of the boy.
The vessel was detained and will not be
allowed to sail until Collector Stranahan's
legal adviser decides whether or not Capt.
Dennierre has violated the law sufficiently
to warrant his being placed under arrest.
Ships Articles Not Signed.
On his return to this city Collector Stran-
ahan haid the boy had voluntarily ap-
peared before the French consul and de-
clared himself ready to go to sea. but did
not sign the ships articles. and therefore
could be taken from the vessel.
1t was after o'clock last night that Col
lector Stranahan decided to go out after
the French bark.
He came to this conclusion after the pilot
who had been aboard the Gontaut returned
and reported that boy on that vessel
was locked in a closet and kept screaming
for help, saying he had been kidnapped.
The collector put to sea on the Gresham
Immediately.
The Gresham came upon the Marechal de
Gontaut after midnight. Lieut.. Hotz-
schamer of the Gresham and two of the
crew put off in a small boat and went
alongside the French vessel. The lieu
tenant shouted to the watch to let down a
ladder.
Boarding the Frenchman.
''They didn't appear to understand me-"
said Lieut.. Hotzschamer. in speaking of the
incident afterward; 80 1 sprang up the
chain plates and got on the deck. Two
men stood there talking. but I could not
understand them.
Zone Of them waved his arms about and
ran toward me, but 1 pushed him to one
side and ran down into the hold. I passed
through the galley and into the forecastle.
There were about sixteen hunks there,
and up forward saw the boy. He was
sleeping. woke him and asked him II he
had been kidnapped He wouldn't say much
at first, so 1 took him up on deck. There
was no resistance by the crew. 1 then had
a ladder lowered and the rest Of the party
came aboard"
Went Armed for Business.
Before the lieutenant boarded the French
man he placed navy revolver In his hip
pocket The other officers were also armed
Collector Stranahan was in his official uni
FORM and sent at once for Capt. Dennierre.
He demanded that the captain show him
the ships articles. The collector said the
name of the boy did not appear on them.
and this he declared was a violation of the
shipping laws. On the advice of his legal