The British H.M.S Barracouta
In Western Samoa after US-Samoan relations were sealed with Eastern Samoa, the US. Colonel Steinberger was illegally arrested by British Captain Stevens in Western Samoa while politically engaged with Samoan Council and leaders. Colonel Steinberger had brought US. weapons as gifts to Western Samoan Government, made by a company in California, and were seized by the Royal British Captain Stevens. Colonel Steinberger who carried with him the authority of both the President of the United States and of Eastern Samoa Counsels, made him not only a high rank in the US. Navy but a powerful political heavy weight among the Western Samoans themselves. Mr. Steinberger was to be the first US. American in Samoan history to serve as a Prime Minister (The Premier) under a Samoan Government.
The British Captain Stevens interfered with the political process using armed guard, with some reports saying a US. Flag was also tampered with, and then held Steinberger as a political hostage for negotiations.
The current Samoan Malietoa (a King rank) of Western Samoa, who had helped British Captain Stevens was rank suspended by Samoan Counsels, and exiled by the Taimua and Faipule Western Samoan Government. British Captain Stevens brought Malietoa back and Steinberger, which led to what some have called a massacre of the British H.M.S. Barracouta crew by the Western Samoans. The Barracouta crew did lose men in an affray and were negotiated with during the night and was eventually allowed to leave.
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