MUTINY IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 14, 18 January 1881, Page 2

MUTINY IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

DEATH OF THE MUTINEERS. THE VESSEL EECAPTUBED. [from our own correspondent. I Auckland, This Day. The following are additional particulars of the mutiny on board the schooner Hammonia: — On the morning of the 21st December the schooner Hammonia was sighted off Avorua, Rarotonga Island. She lay on and off until the 24th, which excited much curiosity, but it appeared that Captain Ellicott thought the wind too light to venture in before. He then reported the deaths of his mate and cook, and desired the evidence of his crew to be taken by^ the white people on the island. A meeting was held, the Rev. Mr. Gill acting aa interpreter, at which statements were made, the substance of which is as follows : — From an entry in the log-book, it appeared that Captain John Ellicott called at Danger Island on 30th November, and stayed on shore trading until 7th December ; the schooner standing on and off in charge of the mate William Stotter. Early in the morning word was sent that there would be two more boat-loads, when the captain would go on board "and make for Nassau Island. The mate signalled for a boat and two men iio return before she was filled. She was then hoisted up, and the schooner headed N.W. under all sail. A fresh breeze from the fe'.N.E. blew until she was out of sight. On the 18th the crew were told they were going to run away with the schooner to Valparaiso, sell lei cargo,' and divide the money. A Mangaian named Waka acted as cook. Between 8 and 9 the mate was asleep on top of the house, a man was at the helm, the cook, John Ficht, being near him, and the other two men were forward. According to a preconcerted plan, one man slacked down the flying-jib halyards, so that the sail should flap. The man called the cook's attention to this, and Ficht went forward The natives then attacked and secured the cook, who gave the alarm to the mate. The latter rushed forward, followed by the man at the helm. The three closed on him, and, after a severe struggle, secured him. They were hand and foot during the scuffle, and the cook received injuries from which he died at about 6 a.m. They sewed him up in a blanket and buried him. Tne mate, in general terms, denied all knowledge of the affair. He supposed the cook was in the forecastle. He did not know that he was dead ; did not know where the schooner had been ; pretended not to be aware that the schooner was away from the island; complained that the crew had used him badly. Un Saturday, the 11th inst., the mate complained of a severe pain at the back of hU

head. On Sunday, 12th, a man was engaged pouring cold water continually on his head. From 6 p.m. on the 14th to Wednesday, 15th, the mate was delirious, and refused food and water, gasping for breath. He died and was buried at 6 p.m. On the 21st the schooner sighted Rarotonga. Waka, of Mangaia, stated, inter alia, that the cook gave them liquor after breakfast, so that j they fell asleep. Perekino, of Mangaia, stated that he took the first glass, and Waka the second. They took the liquor, but were afraid of getting unconscious. After taking tea he fell asleep. When he woke up he found the cook and Waka adjusting the barrels. There was no land in sight. The mate said they were going to look for rocks. They had presents of clothes all round, and were afterwards told they were going to Valparaiso to sell the vessel. He was at the wheel for two hours, and then the mate took it. They had a 4 o'clock meal on deck, but did not eat much, " not knowing the death before them." They tied a rope round the cook while at the jib. When they saw the mate coming, they threw the cook down violently. The cook's hands were fastened behind him. The mate asked witness what they were up to ? Witness then struck him three times and then he fell. Finally they overpowered him and bound his hands. They put the ship to Danger Island. On the third day they saw a reef off an island. They thought the cook was alive, and put a blanket and tarpaulin over him and the mate. They found the cook was dead next morning. The mate refused to eat, but drank water. He was under the main hatch, and able to stand upright. He asked to be allowed to wind up the chronometer, but they did not allow him for fear he should set the ship on fire. They told the mate the cook was dead. He replied — " Never mind, he was the one who suggested we should steal tho vessel." We said—" You agreed together to do so." From further evidence, it appears that the natives steered back to Danger Island, which they reached on 10th December.