The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-10-16
SAY THEY WE'RE SHANGHAIED
Sailors Arrested for Desertion Claim
That They Belong ON the United
States Cruiser Columbia Now Lying
OFF Newport News.

The four sailors who left the Brit
ish steamship Osceola several days
ago and who We're charged with de-
s~ertion, were o yesterday arrested
and tried before Mayor Waddell, the
trial having taken place late yester-
day afternoon. The trial resulted in
one of the men being released. one
sent back on the vessel and two Of
them are still at the city hall waiting
until it a be a~scertained whether or
not they belong on board the United
States armored cruiser Columbia. At
tOrneys for the men nave taken the
matter up with the commander, at
least a telegram has been sent ask
ing If two men are wanted, and on
the result Of the answer depends
what disposition will be made Of the
case.
At the hearing it was c%ontended by
John James Byrne and Thomas Flynn
that they were sh~anghaied, and that
under the circumstances that they
cannot be held. The story told by
these two men is that they belong On
the armOred cruiser Columbia. which
is at Newport News, and that they
are firemen. That last Saturday they
were sent ashore to get some CRATE
irons and soon after reaching shore
we're accOsted by a man who asked
them to have a drink and they accept
ed. They say that they took two
drinks and it made them very doggy.
Soon afterwards the man got them to
go with him to another place and the
men contend that the last thing
they remember while in Newport
News was being accosted by other
men as they walked along who en-
deavored to get them to go on board
vessels. On Sunday when they got
so they knew what was going on the
men say they were on the Csceola.
Byrne, it is said, jumped overheard
just as the steamship was leaving
that port. The men say they know
nothing Of having signed up to go on
the vessel. Byrne is entered as Pat
rick O'Brien, but it is said that the
name is written in such a manner
that it is almost impossible to tell
what it is.
An American sailor by the name Of
Herman Luck, who was also taken on
dt i>tW put 4NC"o, oAhIO tA"I
could not be compelled to leave the
United States under a special statue
which allowed him to sever his con-
nection with a foreign vessel if he 30
desired. He stated that when yess>,
reached this port he requested the
master of the steamer to allow him
t o go ashore for the purpose of filing
a complaint in regard to the dirty
and unhealthful quarters of the crew.
The captain, he states, refused TO
grant the request and, furthermore
told him if he did go ashore he
would be arrested for desertion. 1t
was held that under the statute he
could not be compelled to remain on
the vessel. This meant that Luck was
sure enough in luck for he was al
lowed to go and will not have to re-
port on the vessel.
The fourth mar was a Norwegian,
and was sent back on board the yes
sci.
The master of the steamer denied
that men were shanghaied, but said
they came on board of their W free
free will and accord, and he produced
the articles which they had signed.
Mr.. J. o. Carr appeared for the
master of the steamer, and Messrs.
George L. Peschau and William J..
Bellamy defended the men.