STRUNG UP BY THE WRISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6566, 2 December 1882, Page 2 (Supplement)

STRUNG UP BY THE WRISTS.

SUFFERINGS OF A SAILOR. Tiie New York Sun states that John Owens, r. seaman on the ship Phirda, was arrested by the Hobokeu police on a complaint of John G. Graham, captain of the" vessel, who charged him with stabbing him in the face with a sheath-knife. The complainant appeared before Recorder McDouough with a j ghastly wound extending from his forehead to his chin. The prisoner admitted the stabbing, but claimed it was done in selfdefence. He said the Phirda sailed from France on September 4th for Nevr 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 I picked me out to vent his spite upon. I v.-as worked like a dog and was abused withi out the least cause. Duriug a stiff gale of wiad on the night of September 19th, I was j sent aloft to shift the royal braces. I did I not work fast enough to suit the captain, j and he pulled me out of the rigging and I struck me. The mate came up also and I kicked me several times. I broke away from ! them and ran into the forecastle, but I was j chased out. The captain then felled me to I my knees with a slug shot, aud the mate ■ commenced to hammer me with a belaying ■ pin. I called to tho 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 ail afraid. I then drew my knife and made three cuts at the mate, but did not reach him. I wisli 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 f.ice. The mate cried. They both left me then and went into the cabin, while 1 hid in : the forecastle. I picked up an empty bottle '■ when I heard them coming agaiD, and resolved to sell my life as dearly r.s possible, 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 ,-.rm ar.d body. 1 was then put iu irons, and I sot the worst heating t'lnt [ ever received. I prayed that my arms might be freed. I uas 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 1 received only a drink of water and a small biscuit. When I was released I could scarcely move my arms, and I do not believe I could havelifted twenty pounds. I was next fastened to the side 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 bad been terribly abused, died His body was thrown overboard without any ceremony. This left the vessel short-handed, aud 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." Ths body of Owens is covered with bruises. He was 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.