Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-28
~ Ae ere.ss N
SHANGHAIED?
American Boy Taken from
French Ship at New York.
III -
Cutter Gresham tcts Quickly Boy
Shipped for Coasting Trip
But Found He Was Going to Japan
The Vessel Released.

~
New York, Aug. 27.-The American
boy who tried to escape from the
French bark Marechal de Gontaut,
yesterday, alleging that he had been
shanghaicd, was taken from the
vessel early this morning by Collector
of Ports 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
lightship. The boy is named Hugh
Thompson, is 16 years old and is the
son of sailor who ships on coast
wise vessel which phys between Ban
gor, Me-. and points south.
After he had been taken in charge
by the revenue officers, young Thomp-
son said he had rot been forcibly taken
to the boat but had gone with the con-
sent of his father. He said, however.
that he thought he was to ship on q
coaster, and when he found that the
Marechal de Gontaut was bound for
Yokohama and that he would be abb
sert for many months he wanted to
return to his home. The government
officials declare that Captain Dennierre
of the Frcnchman, made a statement
that he had paid $36 to a boarding
house runner for the services OF the
boy
After being taken from the bark he
was brought to this city andMWas
locked up on the revenue tug Maeki-
nae. a.
1t was after o'clock, last night, that
Collector 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 re-
ported that boy-on that vessel was
locked up in a closet and kept scream
ing for help, saying he had been kid
mapped.
The collector put to sea on the
Gresham Immediately. The Gresham
came upon the Mareehal de Gontaut
after midnight. Lieut. Holzchamer Of;
the Gresham and two of the crew put
off in small boat and went alongside
the French vessel. sThe lieutenant
shouted to the watcfrsto let down a
ladder They did not appear to un-3
derstand me-" said Lieutenant Holzch-
amer in speaking of theincideHt fters
wards, 80 I sprang up the chair Plates
and got on the deck. 1--we, men stood
there talking, but T. 6dp3 mol under
stand them One Of ttefa waved his
arms about and rars4eward me. but l
rushed him to oassade and@ran down
into the hold.
Il passed through the galley and into
the foEecastle. There were about IS
hunks there and up forward | saw the
boy. He was sleeping. | Woke him
and asked him if he had been kid
mapped. Ho wouldn't say much at first
so | took him upon deck. There was
no resistance by the crew. | then had
Il ladder lowered and the rest of the
party cane on board
before the lieutenant boarded the
Frcnchman he placed Il navy revolver
in his hip pocket. The other officers
were also armed. Collector Stranahan
WAS in his official uniform and sent at
once for Captain Dennierre. He de-
manded 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 II viola
tion of the shipping laws. On the adj
vice of Col. Hamilton. he claimed the
boy. Lieut.. ITolzchamer says that
during the talk with Capt. Dcnnierre
the latter declared that he had paid
$50 to Il boarding house runner for the
boy. Collector Stranahan declared that
also to bc Il violation and the collector
then ordered the vessel to be detained.
Thompson was taken to the cutter
Macknac and locked up.
ON his return to this city. Collector
Stranahan said the boy had voluntarily
appeared before the French consul and
voluntarily declared himself ready to
so To sea, hut did not sign the ships
articles and therefore could he taken
from the vessel.
Several conferences between ColleC-
tor Stranahan. Castor Nelen, the
tive of the charterers of the Gontaut
were held during the day
The collector sent all the details OF
the case to the authorities ut Washing
ton by telegraph, but later announced
that he had no authority to hold the
ship.
a revenue cutter was therefore dis
patched to the ship to take off the rev.
cnue officer placed on board and in
Structions were given the commander
of the cutter to allow the bark to pro
coed on her way.
Tho hoy, Thompson, was taken home
by his parents.