_In the East--Aor--Marine nomads--Suspicious--At Singapore--A busy
city--Chinese merchants--Whampoa and Co.--Calculating machines--Under
way--The Martaban of Maulmain--Transformation--The Texan
Star--Evasive--Getting at the truth.--Sonora--To the Cape._
The Alabama was now steering for Singapore, and for three or four days
kept her course without the occurrence of anything particularly
noteworthy. On the 19th December she anchored for a time in the bay on
the south-east side of the island of Aor, with its lofty hills clothed
with green to their summits, and its little sandhills and groves of
cocoa-nut trees. The island is unclaimed by any European nation.
_Sunday, Dec, 20th_.--To-day being Sunday, and the weather being still
thick, and blowing, I have resolved to remain until to-morrow before
making the run for Singapore. Weather improved this morning, however,
and the barometer going up. Several islands visible that were hid from
us yesterday. Pulo Aor looking beautiful and picturesque. Some of the
natives on board with their scant stores of fowls, eggs, and cocoa-nuts.
They are larger than the natives of Condore, and stouter, and more
developed, but with countenances not very prepossessing. The Governor, a
rough-looking, middle-aged fellow, above the common height, pulled out
some greasy papers, the recommendations of former visitors, and desired
that I also would give him one, which I declined, as I knew nothing
about him. Their canoes are light and graceful, and occasionally they
present quite a picture with their gaily-dressed or half-dressed
occupants. We heard their tom-toms and banjoes last night as evening set
in, but a music much sweeter to our ears was a chorus from some _frogs_,
with notes somewhat finer than their relatives on our side of the earth.
These islanders are nothing more than marine nomads, that lead an idle,
vagabond life, intermixed with a good deal of roguery. They have a fine
_physique_, as might be supposed from their open-air mode of life, in
which they have plenty of healthful exercise without being overworked,
as Mother Nature feeds them spontaneously, and they require little more
clothing than they brought into the world with them.
In the afternoon some of the officers visited the shore, and were
hospitably received. There were from ninety to one hundred natives, men,
women, and children, visible, and there were probably as many more on
the other side of the island, as they have a S.W. monsoon village there.
They seemed to have plenty of fowls, and they are very expert fishermen.
They were gambling--such a thing as labour being out of the question.
The island seems originally to have been a solid mass of rock, the rocky
walls of the mountains peeping out in many places from the midst of the
dense forest, and gradually as time and the elements disintegrated
portions of it, plants and trees took root, until the island became what
it is now, a mass of luxuriant vegetation. There were some fine large
boats carefully hauled up on the beach, quite large enough for piratical
purposes, for which they were probably intended, and some swivels were
lying near the chief man's door. The cocoa-nut tree has climbed the
mountain sides, and waves its feathery foliage from the crests of the
ridges. It is food, and cordage, and light to the natives. Several
delightful little valleys presented themselves, upon which, and on the
adjacent steeps or the mountains, were thatched huts. Probably to the
mere animal part of our nature, the life that these people lead is
happier than any other; wants few and easily supplied, labour not too
pressing, and the simple tastes satisfied with such pleasures as they
find.
Rain, rain, in the afternoon. Most of the moisture is deposited on the
mountain-tops, and the clouds sweep over it. And now for Singapore, God
willing.
_Monday, Dec. 21st_--At 3.30 A.M. we got under way, under steam and
sail, and steered S. by E. 32 1/2 miles, South 18 miles, and S. by W. 14
miles; and the weather setting in very thick, with heavy rain, obscuring
all things, we were obliged to come to in 10 1/2 fathoms, with the north
point of Bintang island bearing, and within 11 miles by computation of
the Pedra Branca lighthouse. We have thus to war against the weather as
well as our enemies. Soon after daylight we made a ship-rigged steamer
on our port bow, bound also for Singapore. She anchored near us astern.
It clearing a little at noon, we got hold of the marks and got under
way, and taking a Malay pilot, anchored off Singapore at 5.30 P.M.
_Tuesday, Dec. 22d_.--At 9.30 A.M. the pilot came on board, and we ran
up into New Harbour alongside of the coaling depôt, and commenced
coaling. Singapore is quite a large town, with an air of prosperity--a
large number of ships in the harbour. The country is beautiful, and
green, with an abundance of fine fruit, &c.; the country around highly
improved with tasteful houses and well-laid-out grounds. The English
residents call it the Madeira of the East, in allusion to its
healthfulness. Some twenty-two American merchant ships here, most of
them laid up! The Wyoming was here twenty days ago, and left for Rhio
Strait, where she remained for some days. Finished coaling last night,
the operation having occupied no more than ten hours. Received
provisions.
_Wednesday, Dec. 23rd_.--Weather variable, with occasional showers of
rain--raining heavily in the afternoon. Visited the city, and was
astonished at its amount of population and business. There are from
eighty to one hundred thousand Chinese on Singapore island, nearly all
of them in the city, from twelve to fifteen thousand Malays, and about
fifteen hundred Europeans. Singapore being a free port, it is a great
_entrepôt_ of trade. Great quantities of Eastern produce reach it from
all quarters, whence it is shipped to Europe.
The business is almost exclusively in the hands of the Chinese, who are
also the artisans and labourers of the place. The streets are thronged
with foot-passengers and vehicles, among which are prominent the ox, or
rather the buffalo cart, and the hacks for hire, of which latter there
are nine hundred licensed. The canal is filled with country boats of
excellent model, and the warehouses are crammed with goods. Money seems
to be abundant and things dear. They are just finishing a tasteful
Gothic church, with a tall spire, which is a notable landmark as you
approach; they are also completing officers' quarters on a hill which
commands the town. Barracks for three or four regiments lie unoccupied a
couple of miles outside the city, and a large court-house.
The moving multitude in the streets comprises every variety of the human
race, every shade of colour, and every variety of dress, among which are
prominent the gay turbans and fancy jackets of the Mahomedan, Hindu, &c.
Almost all the artisans and labourers were naked, except a cloth or a
pair of short trousers tucked about the waist. The finest dressed part
of the population was decidedly the _jet-black_, with his white flowing
mantle and spotted turban. The upper class of Chinese merchants are
exceeding polite, and seem intelligent. I visited the establishment of
Whampoa and Co. Whampoa was above the middle height, stout, and with a
large, well-developed head. I was told that his profits some years
amounted to forty or fifty thousand pounds! He was sitting in a small,
dingy, ill-lighted little office on the ground floor, and had before him
a Chinese calculating machine, over the numerous small balls of which,
strung on wires, he was running his hands for amusement, as a gambler
will sometimes do with his checks. At the suggestion of the gentleman
who was with me, I requested him to multiply four places of figures by
three places, naming the figures, and the operation was done about as
rapidly as I could write down the result. Their shaved heads, and long
queues, sometimes nearly touching the ground, are curious features of
their personal appearance. The workshops front upon the streets, and in
them busy, half-naked creatures may be seen, working away as
industriously as so many beavers all day long, seeming never to tire of
their ceaseless toil.
Amid all this busy population I saw but one female in the streets, and
she was of the lower class. Dined in the country with Mr. Beaver. The
ride out was over good roads flanked by large forests and ornamental
trees, among which was the tall, slender, graceful palm of the
betel-nut. The Botanical Gardens are on an elevation commanding a fine
view of the town and the sea, and are laid out with taste, ornamented
with flowering trees and shrubs, and flowers. Hither a band of music
comes to play several times a week, when the townspeople turn out to
enjoy the scene. A few miles beyond the town the whole island is a
jungle, in which abounds the ferocious Bengal tiger. It is said that one
man and a half per day is the average destruction of human life by these
animals. Visited opium-preparation shop. It pays an enormous licence.
All this beauty fails to reconcile the European lady to this country, I
was told. The eternal sameness of summer, and the heat and moisture,
weigh upon them, and their husbands being away all day on business, they
pine for their European homes. The life seems agreeable enough to the
men. The Governor of the "Straits Settlement" is a Colonel.
_Thursday, Dec. 24._--Cloudy; five of my men deserted last night. The
Kwang-tung got under way at 8 1/2 A.M., and we followed her and steered
for the strait of Malacca. Several sails in sight; Malay pilot on board.
Passed the Kwang-tung very rapidly. At about 1 P.M. we fired a gun and
hove to an American-looking barque, under English colours, with the
name, "Martaban, of Maulmain," on her stern. Sent a boat on board; and
the officer reporting that she was an American-built ship, with English
register, and that the Master refused to come on board, I went on board
myself to examine the case. There being no bill of sale, the transaction
being recent, the Master and Mate, &c., being Americans, I had no doubt
that the transfer was fraudulent, and captured and burned her. The cargo
had no paper on board connected with it, except the ordinary bill of
lading. It consisted of rice, and was shipped in Maulmain by a Mr.
Cohen, and consigned to his order at Singapore, whither the ship was
bound. Of course, the cargo followed the fate of the ship under such
circumstances. Upon examination of the Master (Pike), under oath, he
admitted that the transfer was a sham, and made to protect the ship from
capture. At 11.30 P.M. came to anchor about four miles distant from
Malacca, bearing N., in fifteen fathoms water, for the purpose of
landing our prisoners.
* * * * *
The boarding officer's journal furnishes the annexed description of the
interview with the Master of the prize:--
I was sent on board to examine her papers. The barque was American
built, had a new English flag, and on her stern was painted "Martaban,
of Maulmain." We knew that many Yankee vessels had been transferred to
English owners, and of course had to have an English flag; but the
question arose--Was there not some jobbery in this case? Nearing the
Martaban I saw that she was newly painted; pulling round and under the
stern, I saw that a name had been painted over, but could not see what
the name was. I further observed that the last four letters of Maulmain
had been painted much more recently than the other ones, so I determined
to most rigidly scrutinize her papers. Upon my arrival on board, I
inquired after the Captain's health, and then expressed a wish to make a
few inquiries respecting his vessel.
He with the utmost affability was equally ready to afford me any
information required, at the same time informing me I should find
"everything correct." The vessel I found was the Martaban of Maulmain,
Captain Pike, from Maulmain to Singapore, rice laden. I then requested
to see the ship's papers, which request was readily granted. Accordingly
the register, clearance bills of lading, and crew list, were speedily
produced and examined, not omitting the Master's certificate. These but
corroborated what I previously knew. Putting a few questions to the
Captain, and comparing his answers with the papers, I learned the
following facts--viz., that the barque was American built, that she had
been upwards of five months in Maulmain; that she had been transferred
on the 10th December, after the cargo was in, and on the day in which
she cleared, and only one day previous to her sailing; that the captain
had no certificate or bill of sale, nor, in fact, any papers respecting
the transfer on board; that he, the Captain, was an American, and had
commanded the barque previous to her transfer.
Taking the register up again and closely scrutinizing it, I observed
what had previously escaped my attention--viz., that the register, which
is a printed form, with spaces for written insertions, had been first
written with a lead pencil, and over that with ink. No professional
registrar or shipmaster would, I felt certain, have so prepared it.
Looking again at the crew list I made another discovery, that all the
names of the crew were written in one handwriting, from the mate to the
boys. Now I well knew that some of the crew, and especially the mates,
would be able to write, and of the mate's ability to use a pen I
speedily satisfied myself by making him produce his logbook, wherein his
name, &c., was written; or, if unable to write, the usual X, his mark,
would have been affixed to each name. I had now no doubt about the
papers, believing them to be false. I then requested the Master to take
his papers and go on board the Alabama, which, however, he positively
refused to do, unless forcibly compelled; stating that "this was an
affair that flag (pointing to the English colours flying at his peak)
wouldn't stand." He still persisting in his refusal to go on board our
ship, I took possession of his vessel, pending Captain Semmes' decision.
Finding that the Mountain wouldn't come to Mahomet, Mahomet went to the
Mountain; for, after calling a man out of my boat and stationing him at
the wheel, I dispatched the boat back to the Alabama with a report of
the irregularity of the papers, and a request for further instructions.
To my surprise, Captain Semmes came himself and stopped at the gangway,
and told the Captain he had come to examine the ship's papers. Captain
Pike signifying his assent, we went into the cabin, and the papers being
produced, I pointed out some of the discrepancies and acts previously
mentioned.
Captain Semmes then sharply interrogated Pike, insisting upon additional
documents to prove the legality of the transfer. None being forthcoming,
Captain Semmes put some questions, as only a lawyer can (Captain Semmes
not only having studied, but practised law), the answers to which only
convinced Captain Semmes that what he had suspected was true--viz., that
the ship was sailing under false colours, and was to all intents and
purposes an American vessel.
Captain Pike of course protested, to which Captain Semmes replied by
ordering the destruction of the vessel. Captain Semmes returning to the
Alabama, I ordered the English flag to be hauled down, and directed the
Mates and crew to pack their luggage, and hold themselves in readiness
to go on board our ship. The First Lieutenant coming off, our boats got
off a few stores, and the prisoners were transferred to the Alabama.
By 5.20 had applied the torch, and regained our ship 5.30. The steamer
Kwang-Tung was observed near our burning prize. We then shaped our
course for Malacca, intending to land our prisoners there.
About 7.30 the same evening, Mr. Smith, captain's clerk, and self had
the boatswain and a seaman down in the steerage; and putting them on
oath obtained the following additional particulars--viz., that they
shipped on board the Martaban at Hong Kong and Singapore respectively;
that she was then an American vessel, and called the Texan Star, of
Galveston or Boston (she having had two American registers); that she
left Maulmain as the Texan Star, and on leaving there hoisted American
colours; that the name Martaban, of Maulmain, was painted by the
captain's nephew two days after leaving that port; that the English flag
was hoisted for the first time when the Alabama hove in sight this day;
and that no articles were signed by them at Maulmain; nor, indeed, was
any agreement made by the crew to serve in a British vessel, all hands,
in fact, believing her to be American. The Mate having also made a few
admissions, they and the preceding depositions were shown to Captain
Semmes, who, after sending for Captain Pike, put the following questions
to him--viz.:
What is your name?--Samuel B. Pike.
Where were you born?--At Newbury Port, Massachusetts.
Are you a naturalized citizen of any foreign government?--I am not.
How long have you been in command of the Martaban, formerly the Texan
Star?--Two years and a half.
In what part of the United States was the Texan Star registered?--She
was built and registered at Boston.
Has she but one register in America?--There was a change of owners, and
she has had two American registers.
Who were the owners under the last American register?--John Alkerm,
Samuel Stevens, George L. Rogers, and myself.
What proportion of the ship did you own?--One-sixth.
When did you sail from the last port in the United States?--A year ago
last July.
It is stated in the present British register that Mr. Mark Currie is the
owner?--That is as I understand it.
Do you state upon your oath that the sale was a _bonâ fide_ sale?--I do
not state that.
Do you not know that it was intended merely as a cover to prevent
capture?--Yes, I do know it.
This closed the matter; nothing more was necessary. Here was admission
enough to destroy any legal doubt that might have arisen from the
destruction of a vessel under the English flag. What added to our
triumph was the copy of a letter from Captain Pike to his owners, in
which he stated that "he had taken such precautions as would deceive
Semmes and all the Confederates." Had the Texan Star escaped, how Yankee
cuteness would have been extolled! Why, as the Bostonians have presented
a gold chronometer to the master of the barque Urania for such a daring
deed as hoisting the American flag over his American vessel in a neutral
port (Cape Town), whilst the Alabama was lying there, I say, had the
Texan Star escaped from the Alabama, nothing short of the Presidency, or
a statue in marble, or the deed graved in letters of gold, or some other
equally ridiculous token of admiration, would have awaited the gallant
master, and the fame of his clever trick would have been handed down to
Yankee posterity.
Captain Semmes thus resumes his diary on the 25th December:--At daylight
sent the prisoners of the Texan Star on shore, with a note to the
Commander. Malacca is a pretty little village, or at least the
sea-point, viewed from our anchorage, with a picturesque hill in the
rear, on which is situated the fort and lighthouse. The flagstaff was
decorated with flags and signals in honour of Christmas Day. A couple of
boats with some English officers and citizens ran off, and visited us
for a few minutes. Got under way at 9.30, under steam; at night anchored
near Parceelar Hill in 25 fathoms water.
_Saturday, December 26th_.--At 6 A.M. got under way, and stood out for
the lightship, and soon made a couple of American-looking ships ahead,
at anchor; steamed up to the first, which refused to show colours. Sent
a boat on board, when she proved to be the American ship Senora, from
Singapore. Captured her, and steamed to the second, which in like manner
refused to show colours. Upon sending a boat on board, she proved to be
the American ship Highlander, also from Singapore. Captured her. Both of
these ships were very large, being over a thousand tons each. They were
both in ballast, bound to Aycaab for rice. At 10 A.M., having sent off
the crews of the two prizes in their own boats, at their own election,
fired the ships, and steamed out. Passed the lightship at about 11 A.M.,
and discharged the pilot.
From the 26th December to the 13th of January the Alabama steadily
pursued her course, meeting with little adventure. Only four sail were
seen in the period, and these all proved to be neutrals. On the last day
of the year 1863 the North Indian Ocean was entered, and the ship's head
once more laid in the direction of the Cape.