Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-04-25
BATTLE WITH PIRATES.
Grew and Passengers Of ShipWrecked
Steamer Asia Have Thrilling Ex-.
perieuce with Chinese Pirates.

perience with Chinese Pirates.
Shanghai, China, April 25.-The
most thrilling battle between Chinese
pirates AMI Europeans in a decade vas
reported by the survivors of the wreck
cd Pacific Nail liner Asia when they
we're landed here today For hours
the officers and crew of the Asia fought
off the pirates who swaTmed up her
sides with the hope OF looting her
valuable cargo, with rifles, shot guns
and revolvers, and finally with rude
clubs and winches. The natives were
badly beaten and a number killed,
but they returned to the attack time
aud again after being repulsed. a.
F. Gozen. engineer Of the Asia. and
r. Arundel, water tender we're cap
tured by the pirates, but afterwards
we're ransomed for $500. Arundel
was later missed and it is feared was re-
captured. Mrs. Chen Dong Chez,
wife OF an Oakland, CAL, merchant,
was wounded while in one Of the life
boats. There were no other casualties
among the Asia's company.
True to the traditions OF the sea,
Captain Gaukaoger, OF the Asia, is
standing by his sunken vessel, the top
Of whose stacks are still visible above
the water. The first officer OF the
Asia, who brought the sixty saloon and
700 steeraye passengers and the mails
Of the wrecked steamer to this port, re
ported that the crew fred 500 rounds
at the pirates during Sunday and until
the steamer slipped off the rock and
sank on Monday. He says that the
pirates are now diving for salvage de.
spite the fact that Captain Gaukroger Is
alongside in tug.
The Asia was running At three
quarter speed OH Sunday and in some
way got of her course and hit a rock
eff Finger Island. The rock tore her
hull through the first and second bow
compartments and the water came in
as through a seize. 1t was then half
PAST FIVE in the morning and the
passengers and crew were ordered on
deck. Most Of them brought their
outer clothing with them and hurried
" dressed as the life boats and RATS
we're put over the side. Women and
children were taken first and within
thirty minutes all of the passengers
we're in the boats. Before the water
reached the batteries, the wireless had
given the alarm and word was re-
ceived that the Chinese steamer
Shaohsing was on the way. She reach
ed the scene and rescued the passengers
soon after 10 o'clock. She stood by
unit the America Maru arrived.
Meanwhile the crew had returned
of the Asia, which had settled low in
the water and we're standing by to re-
pulse the pirates who swarmed about
her in great numbers. They protected
themselves from the fire Of the Off
GERS and crew of the wrecked steamer
with mattresses and when driven down
one side, swarmed up the other.
The mails were brought on deck
and transferred to the Shaohsing and
while it was getting off the last of them
Cozen and Arundel were captured.
Cozen killed two of the pirates before
he was over powered. Monday morning,
Cozen ransomed himself and Arundel,
but for some reason the latter did not
come Oft in Cozcn's boat, claiming. 1T.
vas overloaded and he has not since
been seen.
Yesterday, after the last of the mails
and most OF the saloon passengers
baggage had been saved, the Asia
slipped off the rock and sank in deep
water.