The Warwickshire Herald. — 1893-03-23 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

EXPLOSIVES ON IVIAPD SHIPS.  sT forrti NI trrt Es.  The dreatnite l mhs hem.' in the hold of the ship Cyr, Wakefield. that sailed from 111. w York fon M in Noma co on Friday last, is. esys a New York enrrespondem, tie geoe•al sitbj ct of conversation 4drrill; circles Th captain, one mate, and two Wall,' in of the Cyril. Wakefield refusel to sail the all;.. ma discovery id the dynamite, confaired in iron cylind rs, and hidden under some plants. was made while the vessel was lying at her berth off Pier 19 in the Eitit River. Messrs. w •nd Burgess. lie owners of ths Cyrus Wake. field, when they asked Certain Cuyler to take charge ef the sossel. were informed by him that one nf the stevedores who loaded the cargo had referred to the Cyrus Wakefield as a n'omel ship, and said that a million would not tempt hitn to ship in her. A contrivance of Weiler matches, lo 'se gunpowder, and a piece of sandstone was so arranged that the rellir g of the ship at sea would hay- exploded the inf, rnal machine. The csrgo consisted of petroletisn, and the crew were cautioned about smelting. When the bombs were discovered Captain Morton immediately went on shore to tender his resignation. He told the owners that 600.101. a month would not tempt him to take the ship ont. Two captains were unisuccesafully applied to before the services of Captain Cuyler were obtained. Captain Cuyler only heard of the discovery of the bombs after accepting the command of the ship, and expressed his regret at having signed the articles of agreement. The Cyrus Wakefield re a big three-master of 2,700 tons burden, chartered by the Sutton Company. The head of the firm said to a reporter: "The question of insurance cannot be raised; the firm have not a penny of insurance on the cargo. nor is the ship insured. The crew number 23 all told. I did not know thet Captain Cuyler wished Inn resien until the last moment." On the arrival of the Tattric. of the White Star Line, a sister-ship of the Naronic, Captain Ward reported the discovery of huge packages of fide crackers found hidden among the bales of jute, a highly inflammable material. Ile cabled the fact !at once to the main office in Live pool. The fireworks were close to the engine room, and tine chnice of their position sinews that it was astected with a purpose. Sandetone was aleo found near the firewoiks. A eumber of seamen have refused to eldp inn the Tauric, and it is hinted that the fate she escaped may have overtaken the Naronic Mr. John Lee. the New York aeent of the company. believes that the fireworks were mmuggled on, board the Taurid at iverponl ; but. inquiry confirms the theory that the explosive materials were brought en board in New York Harbour. Captain Peter ' Clinton. of the ltdasters' Exchliige, a seamse ot 40 years experience.believes that a cane of Anarchi.,s ! are at work both in Liverpoel and New Yoik. "A few years ago," said the captain. "Liverpool was the headquarters of a uang of dynemitere who tried to blow up the etemesliip Birk. ahead in 1385. ! Explosives were found in 10 other vessels dming 1 the year. All seamen remember the murderotte attempt of 'fhomassen, killed by the eremature explosion of his infernal nbrehitie at Bremerhaven ! 12 years ago." Another dlu seaman, Captain Ellis, I -aid that in his opittiou line Naronic had been destoyed by means of explosives. Since the discnvery of those en board the 'fauric watclnnen have been stationed along the East River piers. The first pert the Cyrus Wakefield will make for i 3 Buenos :lyres.