The Nanchan; is a coasting cargo steamer of 2488 tons, (Capt. John Robinson) pi ing between various ports on the China coast. She Jeff Shanghai on wren 25 for Newchwang and was the first B.&S. vessel to go to that port since its re-opening after the winter, anchoring of Newchwang Bar on March 28. She carried general cargo, chiefly flour, but nothing otherwise that might attract pirates, and was) to have returned with 18 and beancake for Swatow. while chatting. ship's saloon towards moon_on March 29, the officers rushed out to find the decks overrun by pirates from two' junks alongside. Swarming up the Indder and firing as they came, the boarding party surrounded the officers before they could get their' weapons into action, leaving them no_option but to surrender, not before one shot had passed through the Second Officer's clothing, Four days later found the comrades in misfortune still cooped under hatches in one of a maze of creeks, Before dawn on April 2, i perate bid for freedom, they slipped, over the side, but after for hours through thigh-deep freezing mud they had reluctantly retrace their steps to the prison junk, luckily eluding the guards.
the three were kept under close surveillance until April 11, when bursts cramped, leaky quarters, fed only on flour patties and hot water, of fung overhead signalized their capture by Who ordered them to write for $2,000,000 and 80 gold rings as ransom. rival gat of pirates, 'Welcome parcels brought much-needed food, but there was still no reply to the captors' demands.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.