Haitian gunboat La Crête-a-Pierrot blown up by own crew according to the Dutch newspaper Tilburgsche Courant dated 1902

The edition dated 14 September reported that admiral Killick (1), the ship’s doctor and two sailors were killed. Telegrams received at New York and Paris suggested that Killick acted like the Dutch officer Van Speyk which destroyed his gunboat preventing a capture by the Belgian troops. Just before the German gunboat opened fire caused Killick an explosion by igniting the powder. The edition dated 18 September reported that on Haiti general Firmin accused general Boisrond-Canal to set up Germany against him The inhabitants of Canauves and St. Marcus were angry on the foreigners and every where could placards to be seen who calls against the Germans. Firmins’ public response was caused by the destruction of the gunboat La Crête-a-Pierrot and the death of admiral Killick.

Notes

1. Conway’s All the world’s Fighting Ships 1860-1905 reported that the La Crête-a-Pierrot was launched in 1895 at the yard of Earle and sunk by the German gunboat Panther. With a displacement of 950 tons, a speed of 16 knots and an armament of 1-6.3” gun, 1-4.7” gun and 4x1-3.9” guns.

2. Hammerton Killick was a supporter of Joseph Auguste Anténor Firmin (18 October 1850 Cap Haïtien-19 September 1911 Saint Thomas, DWI) anthropologist, journalist but also a president candidate. Pierre Théoma Boisrond-Canal (12 June 1832-Les Cayes-6 March 1905 Port-au-Prince) who was president of Haiti between 23 April 1876-17 July 1879 and provisional between 10 August and 16 October 1888 and 26 May-17 December 1902. The Haitian cabinet declared the gunboat as pirate ship after she had inspected the German steamboat Markomannia.