The following letter was written by Lucy Lord Howes of Dennis to her sister, describing her firsthand account of pirates boarding the ship Lubra in 1866, which her husband Benjamin P. Howes owned and captained. The letter was published in the Yarmouth Register in January 1867 and subsequently appeared in newspapers across the country.

October 21, 1866
My dear sister,

This being a stormy day I will endeavor to pen you a few lines. I have already written to Father and Lydia. I really dread putting pen to paper to write of the terrible trouble which has come upon us. It is just four weeks ago tonight, since it all happened. I do not seem to realize it yet, it was so sudden, but I will try to give you a brief account of the affair as I saw and heard and felt it. All day Benjamin and myself had been chatting, sitting, and walking together, so happy. I remarked we had not been together so much for a long time before.

We had supper on deck that night, about 6:00, and had just finished our tea and were walking the deck, when our attention was called to a small Chinese junk coming directly toward us. She was seen within speaking distance, and it was almost calm. The junk could sail when we couldn't make any progress. The captain of the junk hailed us wishing to know where we were bound and if we wanted a pilot. By this time we began to mistrust his character, and as they ranged up alongside, Benjamin told them to keep off or we would blow them out of the water, all to no purpose. Benjamin and the mate found their pistols unloaded and useless, and just as they got on deck again the pirates were boarding us and throwing their stink pots. Benjamin told me to go below, and I did as he directed. Carrie was lying down on deck. I called for her and Benjamin rushed up just in time to save her, for as he came below the shots were flying about his head.

The pirates, to the number of ten, I should think, now rushed into the cabin upon us, and demanded gold and opium.

We were terribly frightened. Benjamin told the mate it was no use to fight, for they would overpower us and kill all hands. The pirates said if we were not would not fight they would not hurt us. Benjamin told them there was no gold or opium on board, and I told them the same, and they seem to pay more attention to me than to him, because I was so frightened I suppose.

The pirates now became very much excited, searching every hole and corner in the cabin. My trunks were turned inside out, and my room the same, and even the bed was torn all to pieces. They then threatened us with death if gold and opium were found on board the brig. After a while the pirates all left the cabin and went forward and between decks, to search among the cargo.

A painting of brig Lubra in Hong Kong harbor. Image from the archives of the Dennis Historical Society.

We had a Chinese cook and steward, and it seems they talked with them, for after awhile they came below quite excited, demanding the gold. They repeated this demand two or three times. Two stood by me, one with a drawn sword in his hand, and the other had his in the sheath. The rest of the gang seized Benjamin and tried to force him on deck threatening all the time to take his life. They struck him twice with the flat of their swords; still he resisted and denied the existence of any gold in the brig. I was dreadfully frightened. The man who stood by me with his sword and sheath attempted to draw it and started toward Benjamin. I laid my hand on it to stop him, but he turned upon me very fiercely, without speaking, and drew his sword. I now thought it my best plan to keep quiet, but I believe my interference saved his life for the time being, but oh my God what a fearful night…..

We were left unmolested for a couple of hours, I should think. We both sat on the sofa with little Carrie between us, she asleep a part of the time. I asked Benjamin if he thought we should have to go through the same scene again. He answered that he could give me no courage to the contrary. He did not seem to think they would kill me and the children, at least, but we made up our minds to meet our fate and all go together. We both hoped to be shot as that seems the most merciful way of being killed…..

At this time the man who guarded the cabin door pointed a musket right at my head. The cabin door swung open now and Benjamin said “it is our fate Lucy and we shall meet it.” A few seconds after this one of the men came into the cabin and spoke to us. He said they were going away then and seemed very solemn. I sat up and spoke to him too begging him to spare our lives but he paid no attention to me, but went again on deck, immediately, thereafter, there was a shot. It was so near my head I thought I was hurt. Carrie was crying but I heard nothing from Benjamin. I looked at Benjamin and found he was dead. He never groaned or moved a muscle. I took his pulse to see if any life remains and just then one of the pirates came down. I dropped on Benjamin's shoulder and let the blood flow over me, at the same time holding down Carrie, for I fancied he had come to dispatch us. I lifted my head and told him to shoot me. He lighted a small piece of candle and sat it within inches of my head on the table, and then went on deck,

The thought now flashed across my mind that Carrie - her dead father's pet - was alive, and for her sake I ought to live, so I blew out the candle and holding Carrie, I am hushing her under my breath all the while, I saw no more of them. but before leaving, one of the pirates threw a block of wood weighing 6 lbs in at the window which struck Carrie's head, and hit me on the side. Carrie's head was badly swollen and discolored, and my side considerably bruised. It is a wonder the child was not killed. I fancy he meant to kill me, and as I kept so still, I suppose they thought me dead. After this I heard no more of them. All was quiet now for a few minutes. Directly I saw someone creeping cautiously around aft, and soon recognized the second mate. I took Carrie and went on deck meeting him at the door. I told him the captain was killed, and asked him who was alive. He answered, Mr. Hall, the mate, is dead, but there are two men beside myself alive. My nurse, I learned jumped overboard, but first laid the babe down by the captain on the top gallant forecastle. The nurse, I suppose, was killed or drowned

There was powder in the hold. The pirates had laid trains and set the vessel on fire, putting on the hatches, besides staving both boats. While the second mate and myself were talking Mr. Hall made his appearance. He had a very narrow escape. He was hid in the forward locker where they could not reach him handily, although they would have done so if they had known of his whereabouts. All hands now worked hard to extinguish the fire. One of the men now brought little Jenny to me. The little darling was wide awake, with two fingers in her mouth.

We got asked and made preparations to leave the vessel, the men at the same time trying to extinguish the fire. I now had to go below alone, and I got first a box of tools out to assist in patching one of the boats. I also got provisions and such as I could find. I worked very hard and as those of us alive had escaped death so far, it seemed hard to be blown up after all. However, we got through the night, and it was near daylight when I changed my clothes. I then sat down by the man at the wheel in my rocking chair, with Jenny and my arms, and Carrie asleep in her cradle by my side. I did not find relief and sleep until 12:00 the following night, when I was on board the A. M. Lawrence, which ship has been my home since we arrived.

My husband's remains were removed to the hospital the same night, and the next day he was buried. There was the largest funeral ever known in Hong Kong, for he was well known here. A great many people came to see me and offered their services, and anything I stood in need of. I have been to the jail twice to see some prisoners, and expect to go again as I am the only person that can identify the pirates, being the only one from the cabin. I expect to have to attend court, and it is really bad business. The authorities are doing all they can to get the pirates, for they are anxious to hang them. This coast is getting very dangerous for small vessels, armed or not, it is all the same. There sister, I have given you the best account of our capture I could under the circumstances. My health is rather delicate, but be encouraged, I shall be home by and bye, I trust.

With much love to you and all our friends. I remain your affectionate sister,
Lucy J. Howes

Baby Jenny sickened and died in Hong Kong and was buried next to her father. Lucy and Carrie returned home, and Lucy remarried in 1868 in Maine. She later moved to Oregon, then California. She died in San Diego in 1926.