The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-11-09
MONSTER
IN GULF
OF ADEN

New York, Nov s.--The reported mas
sacre OF Capt crocker and q men OF the
British steamer Baron Innerdale by the
natives Of Massira Island. near the en-
trance OF the Red ses, prompted Second
Officer Arthur Brown OF the British
steamer Indra, lying In Buttermiik chan
mel from Manila, Iloilo, Nagapatam,
Pondieherry. Colombo and Marseilles 70
speak OF his own vessels experience at
the mouth Of the Gulf OF Alden, which. he
saws. is not only the pound OF all the sea
monsters OF the world, but also the
habitat OF ruffianly natives.
The Baron Inderdale was bound from
Kurachee for the United Kingdom when
she ran ashore on Kuria Islands. on the
southeast coast OF Arabia, and was
wrecked, the Greek crew taking 10 the
boats
The Indra's adventure was on the OPP
posite side OF the entrance of the Gulf
OF Monsters" OF Cape Guardafui, the
eastermost point OF Africa, is a devils
whirlpool. The current has beeR set
ting about three miles TO the northeast
and on the day preceding the disaster the
total set had been about 80 miles 10 the
northeast
Supposing that the set would be about
the same on the next day, the captain
had allowed only for a like drift, but
the current had shifted to the south
west. and at about three bells OF the
middle watch the second officer, IN the
thickness OF the night. picked up land
on the starboard side.
The officer hung on for some time. In
stead OF stopping the engines, he called
the captain, who reversed the ship, but
II was then too late. the steamer climbed
the rocks and humping.
The crew took to the boats. the na-
tives attacking the wreck and stripping
her OF everything detachable. not even
the wooden castings OF the staterooms
were left. and nothing remained but the
steel decks, houses ana frames.
TO MAKE THEM SLAVES.
A native dhow offered towage 70 one
of the boats. On their way ashore an
Oriental In the ships boat who could
speak the language Of Somaliland over
heard the natives conspiring 10 sell the
castaways into slavery.
Al signal the Indra's crew threw
overheard the natives who were In the
lifehoat and while the dhow was busy
picking them up cut loose from the dhow
and pulled away amid a shower OF poi
soned arrows.
One OF the Indra's boats was picked up
IN two or three days, while the other.
after inoescribable sufferlngs OF her men
from hunger and thirst. In The course OF
ten or twelve days fell In with a British
steamer. The Sultan OF the Somalis order
ed the wreckers from Perrin away. main
tanning that he owned all the coast and
proclaiming that the pirates who stripped
the wreck belonged not 10 his own but to
another tribe in the hills
The hut OF the Sultan in which the par
ley took place was built OF the matches.
canvas and other gear OF the Indra. A
compromise was struck and after the
wreck was salved it cost $3.50 900 TO make
her shipshape.
THE Gulf OF Alden is also the home OF
sea monsters OF every variety. size and
degree OF ferocity." pursued Brown. "A
man who falls overheard In the gulf has
no chance for his life. Sharks. octopi,
swordhsh. wales and really believe. sea
serpents. make the Gulf OF Alden their
rendezvous"