ON THE HIGH SEAS.
SEAMEN MURDERED. TREWORLAS TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, Oct. 17. Full details of the murder of John Jacob, a seamen on the steamer Treworlas, while she was on the voyage from Ocean Island to Newcastle, on October 7, were given at the coroner’s inquest, held at Newcastle this week. Captain Wooleott, master of the vessel, stated that at 4 p.m. on the afternoon of October 7. he was called on deck, and found Jacob lying by the bunker winch, bleeding copiously from wounds in the back. He was groaning, and died twenty minutes later. An apprentice namedv Karkeek pointed to a greaser named Medi Doran, saying, “That’s the man.” Doran denied the accusation, and said: “I know nothing. I got no knife.” A careful search of the ship was m'ade, but no knife was found. Doran, a smart-looking Indian, was very self-possessed in Court, and gave his evidence through, an interpreter. “They are tellirfg lies about me,” he told the coroner. “God almighty knows all abqut it (looking towards the ceiling); I swear by the Most Highest I no kill him.” According to further remarks of Captain Wooleott, Jacob had complained 'before his death that Doran intended to stab him with a knife, but though a search was made at the time Doran was not possessed of a knife. Stewart Temple, third engineer, who at one time wanted Doran to shake hands and be friends with his country, man, Jacob, told the coroner that the former would have nothing of the suggestion. "I will fix him bye and bye,” Doran replied, at the same time making a stabbing action with his hand. “I am afraid of no man. I fear only ray. God.” , - The only white man who actually witnessed anything of the tragedy was Daniel Freeman, a seaman. He said he was on the port side of the ship, amidships, when he saw Doran and Jacob standing close together, apparently arguing. Eight bells sounded at the..time. He heard a yell, and, looking aft, saw Jacobs running to starboard, while Doran ran to meet him; He lost sight of them for a. time, But presently he saw Jacob emerge from the forecastle scuttle, running 'with his hands over his head. Doran was at his heels, carrying a knife about eighteen inches long in his left hand. His arm was bent as though he had just struck. Jacob staggered towards Frerimau and collapsed oh the deck. According to the evidence of Dr. Leslie, the blows were struck by a light-handed man, though Freeman stated. that Doran was holding the kniie in his left hand when he saw him. Amin Sha, another Indian, said he saw the two men scuffling on the deck. Jacob threw Doran .to the deck, but not before he had been stabbed with the knife. While he was holding the Indian down Abdul Hamid came on the scene, picked up the knife, and stabbed Jacob several times in back. Another link was added to the chain of evidence by Chief Engineer Rule, who stated that Jacob had complained to him that Doran was going to stab hi in. After the stabbing Doran was placed in the lamp room, and two days later he asked to see one of the seamen named Forbes. To him he is alleged to nave made a confession. # “I’m sorry for what I did,” he said.” “I only Pirt one wound in the side. Abdul Hamid did the rest.” Doran and Abdul Hamid were committed for trial on a charge of murder.
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Bibliographic details
Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 October 1924, Page 7
Word Count
589ON THE HIGH SEAS. Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 October 1924, Page 7
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