New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-16
OPIUM SHIP PLOT
BALKED in CHASE
British Tramp, Said to
Have Illicit Cargo,
Caught in HarbOr.

a revenue cutter chased the British
tramp steamer Frankmount, suspected
of carrying large quantities of opium
in hiding, down the Bay in the fog
last night. and caught her near Sandy
Hook. She had arrived from London
on Saturday with a Chinese crew and
complete machinery for manufacturing
the drug. Two searches by the Gus
toms oftcers-one on Saturday and an
other on Sunday-had netted them a
large quantity OF opium.
The Frankmount, with a cargo con
signed 10 the Cunard Steamship Com
pany and under command of Captain
Evans, had been anchored at the Gu
nard pier all day Sunday and ycster-
day morning, awaiting another over
hauling to-day. Assistant District At
torney Edwin VI. Stanton, TO whom the
tin that the tramp carried the drug
had come, was convinced that the coal
bunkers of the steamer contained GOO
Gems OF opium. He mad made arrange
ments with Surveyor Thomas J.. Rush
to throw out the coal to-day.
At o'clock yesterday afternoon the
Frankmount backed out into the North
River. News Of this move dTd not
reach the District Attorney until
O'Clock. Mr.. Stanton communicated
Immediately with Collector Of the Port
Dudlcy Field Malone The latter sent
the revenue cutter Calumet in pursuit
of the fleeing tramp. and informed
torpedo boat which was stationed of
Sandy Hook. The chase started from
the Battery.
The cutter can make only twelve
knots an hour, and she was driven to
the limit. All the odds were in favor
OF the tramp steamer. She had long
start. Out toward the Hook the
pursuit continued. the tramp forging
ahead through the fog and the cutter
steaming after her. The torpedo boat
was waiting for the Frankmount, but
the cutter overhaulcd her before she
reached the Hook. A customs oincer
was stationed on her. and he searci
for the drug will be continued to-day.
Before the Dig tramp was warped
into the Cunard picr the inspectors had
/ found fifty cans Of opium hidden IN the
engine room. The drug, according to
! Chinatown quotations, was worth 81
500. In the forecastle several OF the
Chinese sailors we're caught enjoying
their evening smoke. Ten complete
smoking outfits we're seized.
The Chinese had evidently enjovod
themselves during the passage from
England. for FIVE empty opium cans
were found. On the galley stove a
large tin boiler, containing gum opium,
was simmering away, and on a table
stood another tin boiler, containing a
big ball of gum opium in soak.
4 In the locker of Chung John Sung,
the chief steward, were found a. series
Of letters and manuscripts treating on
the opium trade. They contained IN
formation that may result, 1t Is SAID
in the suppression OF opium smuggling
Gangs in Tacoma, Wash, as well as at
New York. They also point 20 an cX-
tensive traffic in cOntraband drugs at
Vancouver and several large South
American ports.
Inspector Hohensen was walking
through Chinatown on Sunday night
whom nc noticed two Cinnamon VINO
wore sailors uniforms. He stopped
and searched them. In their pockets
were found letters sent ashore by the
steward of the ship, Sung, who wanted
10 sell opium in New York if the price
suited him.
Detectives Hagan and Feudner went
on board the Frankmount yesterday
morning and arrested Sung. They
found twcnty-three tins of opium IN
his locker Jim" Duck. a first class
fireman. in whose possession large
Quantity Of the drug was found. and
Tang Wang Sang. another member OF
the crew, were also arrested. All three
gave their addresses rs London. They
will be arraig1cd before United States
Commissioner Clarence 5. HouChton
to-day on 4 charge Of being in a con-
spiracy TO smuggle opium.