Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-17
CAPTAIN OIES
WHILE At SEA
CHINESE WAR JUNK ARRIVES
AT SAN PEDRO
After Many HardshIps and PeriIs Old
Pirate Chaser Rests at Anchor
Inside the Big Break
water

The Chinese war junk Whang-Ho,
purcha sed from the Chinese govern
ment nearly year ago by w. M.
Milne of Los Angeles, sailed into San
Pedro harbor yesterday afternoon.
It's broad wooden hull garishly
painted in all colors depicting dragons
and mandarlns, and the awkward Hap
ping rice straw mat sails on Its masts,
was n sight so eccentric that those
who beheld It looked on In wonderment
akin to that which must have been
aroused by the Indians first sight OF
Columbus vessel when 1t sailed TO
America centuries ago.
The boat has been brought to America
for the purpose of exhibiting the style
of Chinese ship craft, and as 1t Is the
only Chinese vessel that has ever
reached American shores 1t is a curl
osity of educational value.
Pirate Extermlnator
1t is the old medieval style of Chinese
war vessel, and has lately been used
for exterminating pirates on the yellow
sea- 1t is equipped with eight cannon
and guns for 150 men.
When Mr.. Milne annouced about a
year ago that he would bring the
Chinese war vessel to the United states
the statement was received with Skepti-
cism, as the Chinese government is re-
nowned for its tenacious hold on all
things that have not literally crumbled
with age.
Months passed and the vessel had not
hoved into the view of San Pedro, and
skepticism turned to ridicule.
But no one but Mr. Milne knew the
difficulties under which the ship was
making it's voyage to America. After
leaving Port Woosung In April the ship
struck a typhoon and its rudder was all
most demolished. A delay was then oc-
casioned by the necessity Of sailing to
Kagoshima, Japanese port, for re-
pairs, and while in dock there 1t was
seized by the government.
Then came the most formidable bar
rier to their progress of all, for the
Japanese officials discovered the stock
of ammunition carried aboard, and be-
came suspicious that the boat was
bound for Korea with hostile inten-
tions.
Japanese MistrustfuI
No amount of explanations by the
captain of the ship would satisfy the
officials, and for months the ship re-
mained in the Japanese port, under the
ban of the government.
Finally Mr.. Milne found 1t necessary
to make trip to Kagoshinla to adjust
matters, and succeeded In eaching an
amicable settlement with the Japanese
authorities.
After leaving Kagoshima the captain
fthe boat. Hans Borg, died and was
buried at sea. The chief officer, Walter
Lobger, a young man of 26, bravely as
sumed charge of the craft after the de-
mise OF his superior, and demonstrated
great ability in bringing the ship
safely to harbor in San Pedro Many
terrific gales and storms were encoun-
tered the latter part Of the voyage,
and in one tempest the fore and latter
masts were carried away.
Provisions Exhausted
At one time the provisions of the
vessel became exhausted and only for
the fortunate meeting Of an American
ship in near waters the entire crew of
the Whang-Ho might have persisted In
mid-ocean.
Among the peculiar things brought
aboard the Whang-Ho are instruments
of torture used in the Chinese navy
One of these devices is called the
Kee Lang, or starvation cage, and is
used to Impress unruly sailors until
they starve to death.
Another Is "the criminals rest"
table which is covered with long spike
points, and upon this surface offenders
are thrown ana tied down until they
slowly die in agony.
In the construction of the vessel the
Chinese have exhibited their native SUI
perstition, for upon the bow are two
huge eyes, The purpose of these eyes
is to guide the passage Of the ship. The
Chinese explain the object of the eyes
in a naive manner. mo get eyes how
can see? No can see how can go?"
Although the vessels Is a crudity in
comp lrison with our modern boats, 1t
is a rare work of art, and embodies
materials in its construction that are
worth a small fortune.
The hull is built of teak, camphor
wood Singapore hardwoo and white
mahogany.
The masts are solid poles of dark
mahogany