Murder on the High Sea.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 5203, 9 February 1892, Page 4

Murder on the High Sea.

The barque Emmanuel, of Genoa, from Rangoon, with teak, arrived, says the Home News, in the South West ludia Dock oil Saturday, 12th December, and reported the murder of the mate, Cafl'a Stefano, on the high seas by one of the crew. When the vessel had been 80 days out, a young seaman liad a dispute with the mate, who was his uncle, concerning the arrangement of the sails, and in a fit of anger stabbed him so severely that he died within a few minutes. The murderer was secured and handcuffed and placed in irons, but several days after he managed to shake off his fetters aucL secrete himself in the hold. He appears to have secured some biscuits, upon which he managed to exist, with the addition of some water which trickled through the hatchway, for six weeks. He resisted all attempts at recapture and turned a deaf ear to all entreaties to come out. This, in the main, is the statement of members of the crew ; but the police believe that some of his messmates fed him. When the barque entered the docks on Satiltday morning the police took possession of her and searched all that day aud on Sunday and Monday without success. On Monday night the police in charge of the vessel were on the point of being relieved by Detectivesergeants Lloyd, Reed, Breeze, and Foley, and the officers were discussing the plan of operations for the night, when about lialf-past 10, the much-searched-for man was seen emerging from beliiud the timber Lloyd at once beckoned to him, and he came forth and spoke in broken English of the biscuits and coffee

of which, the poor wretch said, he had seen them eating from his hiding-place, which was close to the spot where the detectives were on guard. He was cut and bruised, naked and exhausted, so much so that he could hardly stand. For three days he had no nourishment, except what little water came through from overhead. Practically, the close siege of the police wore him out, for when, as he admits, through the chinks in the timber he saw them taking their meals, it was more than exhausted nature could withstand, and he voluntarily gave up the contest and his liberty in order that his bodily needs might be satisfied. The accused was supplied with clothes and taken to the Limehouse station, and then to Poplar Infirmary, where he is now detained suffering from emaciation and starvation. His name is Carreffo Nicolo, and he is aged 19. When he has recovered he will be brought up at Bow-street Police Court. Meanwhile, steps will be taken for his extradition, the offence having been committed on the high seas on a foreign vessel.