OCEAN OUTRAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 136, 8 June 1907, Page 13

OCEAN OUTRAGE.

SAILORS KEEP COMRADE WEEKS IV IRONS. » An extraordinary story of the sea comes from Dunkirk in connection with the Fenice, an Italian brigantine, which reached the French seaport on Tuesday, April 23. from Chili. Tha Feuice had been to Australia, where most of her original crew deserted, and the captain had ta take a scratch one of mixed nationalities. A feud broke out between the Germans and Italians in the crew, with the result I that an Italian named Vecenzo was fired on and ran to the captain's cabin for retuge. It is alleged that tbe Germans ami a Scotsman followed him there, and at th<= point of a revolver compelled the captain to hand the man over to them Vecenzo was then unmercifnlly thrashed by them, and afterwards ironed and fastened by a steel cable to the floor of a deck cabin. This was early in February. and the unfortunate Italian was held* thus chained a prisoner till the arrival of the vessel in Dunkirk. The Germans kept the fceys of Ore tetters, and took the food to the" prisoner, who is said to have gone mad in consequence ot their treatment- In order to prevent any of the crew landing till the affair has been mquired into, the Femee has been moored in the middle cf "the. harbour, and a. strong guard- c£ nawi ffesdaraies placed oa board.