Mr. Powell to Mr. Nay.
Port au Prince, September 7, 1902.
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the German corvette Panther sunk the Crête à Pierrot in the harbor of Gonaives yesterday.
The Panther arrived hereon September 5. After receiving instructions from the Hon. Mr. Francksen, the German chargé and a cable dispatch from the German Government, [the vessel] left immediately to seek Killick. Her total stay in this harbor was not more than an hour. When she left here she sailed directly to Gonaives, where it was reported that Killick was with the Crête. The Panther arrived at Gonaives yesterday morning. On her arrival she signaled to the Crête (Killick was not on board at the time) to haul her flag down and send it on [Page 650] board the Panther. This was refused. The captain then sent a boat to the Crête, giving the officer in charge five minutes to comply with the order. A boat was then sent from the Crête to the Panther, requesting a longer period of time to consider the demand. The captain acceded to the request by making it fifteen minutes. At the expiration of this time, the captain of the Crête not surrendering, the Panther opened fire on the Crête. At the thirtieth shot the ball penetrated the magazine, completely destroying the Crête. When the first shot was fired, the crew left the vessel in their boats for the shore, so that when she sank none of the crew were on board, all having escaped; so there was no loss of life.
Another report comes from one of the officers of the Panther, who states after the request for a longer time to consider demand had been granted, the boat returned to the Crête. Soon after she was found to be on fire in several places. Then the Panther opened fire on her and sank her, completing the work of destruction.
I expect full details from our consul on the arrival of the steamer, but it will be too late for this mail.
The Panther returned to this port this morning. There was much rejoicing on the part of some of the inhabitants, while with others there is a bitter feeling of resentment against the Provisional Government and the German colony here, which may result in some grave events during the coming week.
I am, etc.,