STRUNG UP BY THE WRISTS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3568, 15 December 1882, Page 4

STRUNG UP BY THE WRISTS.

STJITEBINGS OP A SAIIOB.

The New York Sun states that John Owens, a seaman on the ship Phircla, was arrested by the Hoboken police on a complain of John G-. Graham, captain of the vessel, who charged him with stabbing hin in the face with a sheath-knife. The complainant appeared before Recorder McDonougb with a ghastly wound extending from his forehead to his chin. The prisoner admitted the stabbing, but claimed it *as done in defence. He said the Phirda sailed from France on September 4th for New York. A majority of the crew of twelve men -were Russians, who were unable to understand the orders given them. ' This seemed to anger the captain,' said Owens, ' and he picked me out to vent his spite upon. I was worked like a dog, and was abused without the least cause. During a stiff gale of wind on the night of September 19th, I was sent aloft to shift the royal braces. I did not work fast enough to suit the captain, and he pulled me out of the rigging and struck me. The mate came up also and kicked me several times. I broke away from them and ran into the forecastle, but I was chased out. The captain then felled me to my knees witli a slug shot, and the mate commenced to hammer me with a belaying pin. I called to the crew to help me, as I saw the captain was drunk, and I did not want to be killed. None of them came, as they were all afraid. I then drew my knife and made three cuts at the mate, but did not reach him. I wish I had reached him, as he was almost sober at the time. I then turned on the captain and gave him a cut on the face. The mate cried. They both left me then and went into the cabin, while I hid in the forecastle. I picked up an empty bottle ■when I heard them coming again, and resolved to sell my life as dearly as passible, but threw down my weapon when I was ordered, as I saw both were armed with revolvers. After I had done so the captain fired at me. The ball passed between my arm and body. I was then put in irons, and I got the worst beating that I ever received. I prayed that my arras might be freed. I was then strung up by the wrists so (that my feet barely touched the deck, and left in that position for twelve hours, during which time I received only a drink of water and a small biscuit. When I was released I could scarcely move my arms, and Ido not believe I could have lifted twenty pounds. I was next fastened to the lide of the vessel in such a way that I could neither sit erect nor lie down, and kept there on short rations for seven days. On the seventh day one of the crew, who had been terribly abused, died. His body was thrown overboard without any ceremony. This left the vessel short-handed, and I was released and set at work. When we arrived off Sandy Hook I was again handcuffed and confined until I was handed over to the police. The irons on my wrists tore off big pieces of flesh, as can be seen by the wounds." The body of Owens is covered ■with bruises. He waa attended by a physician, who says that he has been terribly dealt with. An investigation will be made. Owens was sent to Ludlow-street gaol. Proceedings in extradition have been begun to take him to England for trial, the Phirda being a British ship.