British transport Mechanician assessed according to Dutch newspapers in 1901

The newspaper Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode dated dated 13 August published an item dated London 10 August reporting that the British transport Mechanician with on board 1,110 horses left New Orleans towards Cape Town.

The newspaper De Zeeuw dated Tuesday 13 August reported that Friday evening the ship was exploded by an explosion. She was at that moment at New Orleans taken mules on board. A wire with a length of 125 feet was found attached to the anchor chain. It was believed that with this wire the explosion was caused. The ship was to depart next morning.

The edition dated 15 August reported that the damage was estimated to be 5,000 pound sterling. The Boers agent Pearson seemed to have said that he hoped that all British ships met the same fate.

The newspaper Vlissingse Courant dated 19 August reported that the Boers agent at New Orleans decided to demand a compensation ƒ 50,000 dollars from the British consul Vansittart. Van Sittart had spoken with the police and asked why Pearson was not arrested for this assessment.

Note

1. The Second Boer War found place between 11 October 1899 and 31 May 1902 and ended in a defeat of the Boers and regaining British sovereignty of the Orange Free State and South African Republic (Transvaal). In 1920 became the Union of South Africa part of the Commonwealth.