The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-06-21
STAYS COMMANDER
STEALS TIE SHIP
Twentieth Century Pirate Tale
Revealed ii Fiji Island
Trial.
BELGIAN SEAMAN A HERO
JOSEPH MoRTELMANs DROVE
TWO 70 DEATH IN THE SEA
AND THEN sAlLED.THE sHiP,To
4 FATAL END.

V>ANOkSS0
points on the Riffian coast. is well
nigh I dead letter nowadays. Yet .
grim tale Of such crime, with all
the characteristics Of piratical cal
lousness, was told in the supreme
court OF this placid and out Of the
way little island last week.
TO make the story sequent and
avoid the repetitions OF evidence 1t
were best to tell 1t az narrated by
counsels address and the testimony
Of witnesses.
IN 1902 there lived in Callao. the
port Of Lima. Peru, an Italian master
mariner named Juan Cafeiro, who had
d wife and seven children. During
the year named he went to Concep-
cion, In Chill. and there bought the
hull of new schooner of 100 tons.
which he registered under the Peru
Wan nag and to which he gave the
name Of the Nutvo Tigre. For this
vessel he paid something approximate
Ing $4,000.
Before leaving Conception Cafeiro
purchased there the wheel and steer
Ing gear of a wrecked Valparaiso yes
sci, the Puelchre. this name and the
port being engraved on the bross cap
Of the wheel. The apparatus was fit
ted IN the new craft. which was
brought on to Callao. However, Cafe
iro died next year, having appointed
one Piaggio his executor. Piaggio, not
being nautical man, hired the craft
out to the shipchandler's house OF
Morello. the latter paying him $125 q
month.
or this amount $50 was used for the
support OF the widow and family of
Cafeiro, the vessel being their only
means, and the remaining sum was
devoted to clearing off the deceased
husbands debts.
Little Crew 10 Formed.
The Nuevo Tigre was henceforth
engaged In the Peruvian coastwise
trade. one Niccolo Melis, formerly a
petty officer of the Italian navy. and
described az of excellent character.
being In command. The mate or boats
vain was one Juan Bosher. described
as being q man fifty years old. These
two, with q Belgian seaman twenty
five years old. Joseph Mortelmans.
alias Joseph Mortimer. alias John
Taylor. formed the Tigre's crew in
November, 1907 At this time the
schooner was painted green, her
wheel cap bore the deep cut legend
"Puclche, Valparaiso" and on the
stern OF the vessel herself and her
dingy were the names "Nuevo Tigre.
Callao."
A few weeks previous to this
Mortlemans and London youth NAM
ed Fred Skerrett had been shipmates
from Liverpool to Callao In a peruvian
cruiser, the Almirante Grail. Mortel-
mans being steward and Skerrett
messroom boy. The result was an in
PRODUCTION to Captain Melis and the
engagement Of Skerrett on the Tigre.
For some weeks or SO they were en-
gagged loading her with sulphates and
charcoal. The provisioning Of the ship
vcmber Is. 1907. the four men being
seen on deck as she cleared the mole
Of Callao. one at the wheel. two at
the halyards and one coiling rope on
deck.
Skerrett's narrative now comes into
play. and 1t has cost Mortelmans his
liberty for the term of his natural life.
According to the boy. all went well
until about midday on the second day
out. At that time the captain. prior
to going below aft. sent Skerrett to
clean up the forecastle. At this time
Mortelmans was at the wheel, Bosher,
the mate. was sitting on the hatch
preparing vegetables for dinner and
the little vessel was heading along
well for her port.
After about fifteen minutes OF clean
ing up the forecastle Skerrett heard
q loud cry on deck. He climbed the
companionway and met the mate. who
was running. Skerrett saw q wound
In the back Of the officers head. He
asked what was the matter. but the
mate. making no reply, Owed down
the forecastle hatch. Hurrying aft,
skerrett saw that Mortelmans, who
had left the wheel. had q chopper.
with which he hit the captain rs he
was coming on deck.
The captain fell back into the cab
i AZ anu 0AClt 9th pSANACSE O1A SO1uc
coke. saw Mortelmans descend after
him. fierce struggle ensuing. Ia q
short time the captain came on deck,
badly wounded. He asked. as he pass
ed Skcrrett. "Oh. Charlie. what is this
fort"
Fierce struggle Followed.
The terrified youngster replied that
he thought the man was mad. First
poor Helis picked up the iron bar
handle Of the pump, ~ II Tor defence.
Then. seeing Mortelmans come from
the cabin with gun, he dropped the
bar. picked MP the forecastle scuttle
an siamped overheard with it. Skier.
rett aSs - - him = stout plank.
wiz which Ne ~ the skipper swim.
ming.
Mortlemans foaded the rum G mux.
ne loader) and tried TO fire at the
captain IN the water. The weapon
missed fire. Next. seeing Skerrett try
ing 70 ret into the dingy towing
astefn. Mortelmans threatened him
~.