WILD ANIMALS IN POSSESSION OF A SHIP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2766, 5 April 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

WILD ANIMALS IN POSSESSION OF A SHIP.

The overdue British barque Marearet (Captain Sargent), from the West Coast of Africa, has arrived at Boston after a remarkable voyage. Captain Sargent said, thaft between the gales and the nature of his cargo,'he had an experience he does not wish again to meet, Besides a regular cargo there were twelve snakes, 100 cockatoos and parrots, an ourangoutang, some monkeys, two crocodiles, and a " gorilla. Rats' caused {the death of all but four of the cockatoos and parrots by eating up all the corn that had' been provided for them. During a gale the snakes and crocodiles broke out of their boxes iu the hold and invaded the forecastle, so that for five days the men eould not venture into'their quarters, but had to live in the cabins. These reptiles, along with the rats, kept up a continual warfare until the surviving crocodile killed the last snake, and completed the chain of vengeance by being killed during a fierce storm by some of the cargo falling on it. During the scrimmage among the reptiles the monkeys took to the rigging and stuck there despite, all efforts to dislodge theiri. Finally they were all washed away except four which were captured. The worst passenger wis a five foot gorilla, which was imprisoued in a stout wooden box. The top of this the anitnal forced off but though held by a chain he had considerable play, and getting possession of an iron bar he swept the decks. He wound up by partially scalping the negro cook one day, and only letting go after he had been nearly killed with an axe. All the men were more or less hurt by the beast, ami he led them a life of terror.