New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-10
FIGHT PIRATE MO0RS.
Steamer attacked While Aground in
the Mediterranean.

About five hundred yards to the southwest of
Bellows Island. where lie the bones of the pirate
Hicks, there anchored yesterday a merchant
steamer with bullet holes in her funnel.
Across her stern in large letters was the
steamers name. Craighall and she brought to port
a tale of a recent fight with Moorish pirates in the
Mediterranean that would have done credit to
Hicks himself and the Craighalrs skipper said
yesterday. THE bones of Hicks must have rat
tied in their grave when dropped anchor in the
Lower Bay
The story of the C'raigheli's fight seems almost
incredible in these days. when men-o-war keep
peace upon the seas, Hut all board, from the
captain to the mess hoy. swore the tale was true
and the bullet marks the cabin the bridge and
the funnel bear out the yarn of the Craghall
crew.
The chief officer in telling of the fight with the
buccaneers Of the Levant made light of the eX-
perience now that it's all over, but until Brit
sh torpedo put the devils TO rout We felt DIT I'M
easy
we left Cardiff with cargo OF coal for Ma
pies" said the chief yesterday. We were r'shI
down 10 the waterlne, land Just as we got 10
point about forty miles TO the northWestward OF
the Straits of Gibraltar a thick fog blanketed US
We headed for the channel by mere gtiessworH' TOT
il was so thick you couldn't half snip
length ahead. We slowed down to about three
knots and simply nosed along. We didn't inquire
much on the tide. but found later 10 our sorrow
that terrific current running through the charnei
had carried bang up the coast OF Morocco
relieved the captain at midnight, and just as
went up on the bridge was thrown forward ana
heard the grating sound of the keel scrapins the
bottom.
we were aground. Where. did not know
At sunrise the fog lifted. and the day was clear
and warm While we preparing to get the
Craighall off into deep water we saw nine small
boats coming out 10 us from shore There were
about twelve men I'm each be at, and we saw they
were armed
eve had a few guns aboard. but were no match
for the dusky pirates in the boats. to say nothing
of the horde saw patrolling the beach.
They nasty looking lot Any one OF them
looked If he'd rather Kill than rob us. Each
Moor carried an ugly knife. and the sight of these
weapons made our crew turn pale
The captain became angry and instead OF trying
the diplomatic way he walked right up to the big
Moor who led the gang, and with expletves the
niger didn't understand. asked him what ln--Wel
what he wanted With a mixture of gesticuia-
UNDERSTOOD, and by the Screwing up OF his ugly
face the leader Of the gang make the captain I'M
derStand that he intended 10 clean out the ship.
THE captain shook his fist In the face Of the
leader, and told him he had nothing aboard but
coal. and that II he was patient for a year or two
he would repose in a place where coal came easier
THAT ended the interview. The captain ordered
everything locked up and Mr. Moor and his dirty
they could find. When tried 70 back of into
deep water yolleY came from shore. When the
bullets whizzed around US we shut the engine
down for good
we signaIed steamer that passed us ana our
plight soon reported IT Gibraltar Meanwhile
the British cruiser Amethyst and torpedo boat
came along and force OF bluejackets from tho
former drove the pirates from the ship before they
could drop into their boats the plumber of pro-
assistance Of the Amethyst and the torpedo boat
we got into deep water and proceeded 10 Naples"