New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-07
Captain Quells
Rioting Grew
Single Handed
Police Boat Answers Call
TO Chester kiwanis, but
Finds Fighters Subdued
by Blows of Skipper
Arm Bitten by Sailor
Ill Feeling Between Black
and White Men Caused
Trouble on Freighter

drunken brawl, reported at first
to be mutiny brought the police boat
John T. Hylan and fifteen policemen
down the bay yesterday to the Swapping
Board freghter Chester Nlwanis,
which came i'm Monday night from Bou-
logne
She carried crew of forty-hve men,
ten of whom were negroes employed in
the kitchen and messroom. Through
out the run across the Atlantic there
had been i'll feeling between the black
men and the white, and, augmented by
large quantity of bad whisky, the
factions clashed.
Captain Job Cunningham, a sturdy
New England sailor man, was called to
the door Of his cabin shortly after
midnight Monday by negro mess boy,
who told him that the white men had
become quarrelsome again and threat
ened to clean up the negroes and throw
them into the bay. The skipper, who
weighs about 200 pounds. did not call
upon his officers, but alone and I'M
armed, went below to the crews head
quarters. Everything appeared to be
quiet. The negroes had locked them
selves in and the whites likewise had
turned the key in the door of their
quarters. Captain Cunningham raped
opened.
Called "Nigger Lover"
Shouts within informed him that he
was a'"nigger lover and that he had
better not try to enter.
"1ll give you fellows thirty seconds
to think it over and turn that KEY" he
replied.
The only answer was a flood of bill
lirgsgate and the skipper smashed the
door panel. He thrust in his arm to
turn the key and throw up the hook
and as he CROPPED for the lock big
Norwegian, the nearest man to the
door, sank his teeth into Captain Cum
ningham's forearm, ripping the flesh
about six square inches
The arm, though torn and bleeding,
had not lost its cunning or its power
The skipper forced his way through
the rum-dazed gang, bowling them
over the tables and chairs. Walter
MicEaelson, the chief engineer, an
other brawny officer, came to the skip
per's aid and the two sober men
cleaned up the rebellious seamen.
Both stood by the door and inform d
the gang that they had better leave the
negroes alone, or they would get some
more trouble. Thoroughly cowed, the
crew of the freighter did nothing more
than scowl at the intruders.
Sent for Man Who Bit Him
Captain Cunningham then went to
the chart room, and the chief engineef
administered first aid. An hour later
the skipper sent for the Norwegian who
bit him, saying that he wanted to be
informed as to how the trouble started.
After the big fellow gave his YER
sion of the squabble he had practical
demonstration of what sailors get who
bite their superior officers.
Meanwhile TIE shippers arm began
to swell, and, fearful that another fight
might start before morning, helhad his
operator send radio for police assist
ance. When the police boarded the
vessel Yesterday they went among the
men and Informed them that if there
was any more trouble they would put
them all under arrest,
Later the freighter moved up to her
dock, where Captain Cunningham re-
ceived medical treatment.