The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-06-11
SOUGHT FLAGS
SHELTER VAINLY
E. E. WILSON, SAILOR, TELLS
HOW UNITED STATES CON-
SULS REFUSED TO AID HIM.
WAS MADE TO SERVE ON
BRITISH WARSHIP.
washington Starr

Square of jaw, blue of eye and with
his cheeks burnt to healthy brown
which bespoke life at sea, Edward
E. Wilson, seafarer hailing from In
dianapols, Ind, recently walked into
The Star Office and told story of adj
venture during the past three years
which would have made Robert Louis
Stevenson blush could he hav, heard
it. This story, sworn to in the form
of an affidavit by Mr.. Wilson, is here
with repeated.
It transpired that on the 9Th of
February, 1913, Mr.. Wilson left Pen
sacola, Fla, on a three-masted bark
bound for South America. After
three-month trip he took service with
the British Royal mail ship, Demara,
sailing between Buenos Aires and
Liverpool, subsequently changed to
the McIver line, and then to the john
son line between Liverpool and Balti-
more.
Left Penniless in Peru.
The real story starts with his tax
ing service on branch line plying
between Liverpool and the west coast
of South America. Taken sick in Cal
lao, Peru, he was put ashore at Chile
and left in the hospital at Talachau-
ana. According to Mr.. Wilson, he
spent two months in the hospital and
on being dismissed went to George
W. Steele, the British consul in that
town, and endeavored to obtain from
him his pay and his clothes, etc. He
was Informed that nothing had been
left for him.
| Mr.. Wilson claims that the sea-
mans act of England's board of trade
contains a provision by which he
should have been sent back to Liver
pool. This privilege, he said, was de-
MED him on the grounds that he was
an American citizen. He then went
| to the American consul at Talachau-
ana and was informed that inasmuch
as he had been signed under British
articles no assistance could De given
him at that consulate.
Without funds he was forced to re-
main in South America until July
1914, when he went to Valparaiso
where he signed articles with the
British steamship California in South
American trade. Arriving at Anto,
tasto, Chile, the crew was informed
that they would be expected to stay
aboard at Valparaiso. Having beer
paid of, he made futile effort to gel
ashore and finally at 1870 o'clock il
the morning got away from the shiI
In small boat. Reporting to tht
American consul and telling him hi
story, he was advised by him to g,
back and join his ship.
Forced on English Ship.
To pick up the narrative in MI
/ Wilson's own words:
II told him / had no desire to sal
on an English ship and demanded m.
rights as an American citizen. Tn
] consul grew angry and called his ne
, gro porter to throw me out of tn
Office. threw him out; told the con
7 sui / would do the same with him
! not accorded a more courteous hear
: ing and after few more words lef
of my own free will.
: 1T was arrested upon the street b
5 the Chilean police as deserter an
{ proved in court my right to leave tn
ship. 1 then remained in Valparais
I when, being once more without funds
t / signed with the British ship Myrtl
j, Branch on August 1. After signin
! the articles, discovered that war ha
been declared and declined to go.