The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-18
CAPTTVES OF PIRATE BLACKS.
SIFFERINGS or 7 SPANIARDS
SHIPWRECKED on BAHAMAS.

Crew OF the BriE Anton brought TO New
York 10y steamship Alene-Cantain
stayed At InaEua TO Press Galms
forLOOtlnE by Wreekers-Mens Starving
The steamship Alene Of the Hamburg
American Line which arrived from the
West Indies last night, had on board seven
Spanish sailors picked up at InAgua In the
Bahamas on March ~. They were the crew
Of the Spanish brig Anton, shipwrecked
on the coast Of Mariguano on Feb. 49, and
numbered by the black natives Of the
island.
After being held captive for sixteen
DAYS the Spaniards got to Inagua by canoe
and remained there until the Alene took
them aboard. The captain Of the brig
remained behind to press claims for the
looting Of his vessel against the British
colonial authorities Of the islands.
According to the officers Of the Aene
the Spaniards were nearly starved when
taken aboard. None Of them could talk
English. but they could eat, and before
reaching New York they made away with
nearly all the extra provisions on board,
According to the story Of Louis Sole, the
chief mate OF the Anton, she was bound
from Manzanillo for Barcelona with a cargo
Of mahogany. When of the coast OF Mari
suano on the afternoon Of Feb. 10 she was
caught in a strong northerly gale, and in
spte Of all efforts was driven ashore.
Thinking he might still save his brig, the
CAPTAIN sent the chief mate and two sailors
ashore to see II they could obtain a kedge
anchor. The only inhabitants they found
we're two negro women, who said they
and their husbands we're the only people
on the island.
On account Of a heavy sea and darkness
the mate and his men did not attempt to
regain the brig until morning. When they
finally did reach her they found a queer
crew in possession. A piratical band Of
wreckers had boarded her during the night
and taken the crew captives. The men
found their comrades bound and helpless
and the ship plundered from stem to stern.
The wreckers had come alongside in the
darkness and before the crew we're aware
Of any danger had got aboard and over
powered them. All the instruments, rig
ging and machinery Of the brig were torn
TO pieces.
The natives took the Spaniards ashore
when they had completed their work Of
plumber. Each man was bound securely
and kept closely guarded in the shanties
Of a little village near the shore, In the
meantime the wreckers kept busy carry
ing on their booty from the brig, which
was fast pounding to pieces on the rocks.
For some time food was refusodthe sailors
until they were so famished that they offered
their own clothing for provisions. Even
al that they we're allowed scant rations.
The blacks held their captives for six
teen days, when they offered to release
them upon the condition that Capt. Quail
lame should sign a paper agreeing not to
press any claim against them as pirates
The paper was signed and on March the
%, ~ al Ind hia
canoe was given to them with which to
return to civilization. They labored for
nearly two days against rough seas, and
finally, almost exhausted from the eXertion
and lack Of food reached the island Of
Inagua There they found friends who
gave them comfortable quarters until the
Alene arrived.
The men will be turned over to-day to
the Spanish Consul, who will arrange for
their return to Spain.