MUTINY AND MURDER ON BOARD THE JUNIOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 324, 13 February 1858, Page 3

MUTINY AND MURDER ON BOARD THE JUNIOR.

By the Lochiel, from London, we (" Sydney Herald") have received the following particulars relative to a frightful tragedy perpetrated on board the Junior. Captain Haddon, of the Lochiel, states that, on the 7th January, when off Cape Howe, he sighted a ship in shore with a signal of distress flying, and immediately bore down for her, when she hailed, and stated that part of the crew had mutinied, and killed the captain and third officer. Captain Iladdon wcut on board, and from the chief officer received this statement — " That the vessel was the Junior, of New Bedford, U.S., on a whaling voyage, and six months out; that oni

Christmas night the crew, without any apparent motive, murdered the captain and third officer by shooting them with a whale-gun, at the same time badly wounding the chief and second officers ; they afterwards cut the third officer's head off with a spade. The chief mate, although in a frightful state from the effects of his wounds, managed to gain the hold, and conceal himself for five days — when, on being discovered by the mutinous portion of the crew, they dragged him out, but promised to spare his life if he would take the vessel to Cape Howe ; which he did — they were at that time off the coast of New Zealand ; on the 2nd instant, Cape Howe being in sight, ten of the crew lowered two boats, and after taking as much as the boats would carry of slops, &c, left the ship and pulled for the land, distant about 20 miles; previous to leaving the vessel they smashed the chronometer, and having obtained all the fire-arms on board, cut the barrels of some double-barrel guns to render them more portable. The chief officer is under the impression that the ringleader is an Englishman, who has been in the colony before. Three days after the massacre, the mutineers hoisted the bodies on deck, and having fastened weights to the legs, threw them overboard. The Lochiel, not having a surgeon on board, could render no assistance to the wounded men, but kept company with the Junior until 8 p.m., on the Bth instant, whe/i she was lost sight of. Sydney light at that time bore N. N. W., distant 20 miles. The vessel was doing her best to make this port. The Junior arrived in Port Jackson yesterday, and from the chief officer we have received a statement which tallies in every particular with that given by Captain Haddon. In addition, we publish some further details of this sad affair, as taken from the log-book. The names of the five men who actually took part in the cold-blooded slaughter, were Cyrus Plumer (boat-stecrer and ringleader of the mutineers, and who actually shot the captain), John Hall, Richard Cartha, Cornelius Barnes, and William Herbert. These parties, previous to leaving the vessel, entered a statement upon the log, which they individually subscribed; and further, had it witnessed by three of the crew now on board. Their statement is to this effect : That they had no cause of complaint with either officers or men ; that none but themselves were implicated in the taking of the ship ; and confessing to the murder of the captain and third officer, and the wounding of the chief and second officers ; that they compelled the chief officer by an oath, and on condition of sparing his life, to navigate the ship to Cape Howe. On their leaving the vessel they threatened, in the event of his pursuing them, or giving any information, they would return and sink the ship. Mr. Kelson, the chief officer, at present in charge of the Junior, informs us that the first intimation he had of the affair was hearing Plumer call out " fire !" upon which a simultaneous discharge of firearms took place, at himself, the captain, and second and third officers ; he felt himself wounded, and fell from his berth on to the deck, where he lay a very* short time, when he heard the captain groan and exclaim "Oh, my God!" Although severely wounded in the left shoulder, he immediately crossed the cabin to where the captain lay, and had hardly lifted him up ere he expired in his arms. Meanwhile from the discharge of the firearms, the bed-clothing was ignited, and the flames rapidly spread, taking hold of the cabin fittings, which drove the mutineers on deck, and shortly after the chief mate made his escape into the hold to avoid being suffocated. He remained fn his concealment five days without any food, and was ultimately found by the men aa already stated. He afterwards learnt that Plumer and the others extinguished the fire, which appears to have burnt the principal portion of the woodwork. The bodies of the captaiu and officers were then hauled on deck and consigned to the deep. Mr. Nelson is of opinion that the five men who left in the second boat, in company with the principal mutineers, were cognizant of the attack, although they took no part in it. Their names are, J. Brooks, W. Simpson, A. Conner, J. Kike, and C. 11. Stanley. Plumer acknowledged to Mr. Nelson that he had been I in New South Wales eighteen months, and was concerned in the taking of three other vessels. On leaving the ship they literally stripped the officers and crew of all their clothing, watches, money, &c, and threw all their whaling gear, such as irons, lances, spade, &c. overboard. On the arrival of the Junior in port she was immediately boarded by Mr. North, the Water Police Magistrate, who instituted the necessary inquiries, and left officers in charge of the ship, pending his communication with the American Consul. The Junior was commanded by Captain Mellon, who is reported by the crew to have been a kind and good officer. Mr. Nelson, who appears to be suffering severely from his wounds, was conveyed ashore yesterday afternoon, and is being attended by Dr. Nathan.

Revolting Anecdote.— A wretch of a husband, coming home at one in the morning, found his angel wife sitting up reading an old novel. With a coarseness almost amounting to cruelty, he took the book from' her hand, and placed before her a pair of ber child's socks, which happened to have holes in them, disgustingly observing, ulf you will fatigue yourself, my love, with any work at such an hour, I would suggest 'i* is Never Too Late to Mend: "—Punch