JERVIS BAY MUTINY

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1928, Page 9

JERVIS BAY MUTINY

PASSENGERS TELL STORY STOWAWAYS CAUSE TROUBLE ATTEMPT TO FIRE LINER CREW ARMED; HOSES USED By Telegraph—Press Assn —Copyright. Australian Press Association. Received June 25, 10.30 p.m. United Service. Colombo, June 25. Passengers by the Jervis Bay, which arrived here to-day, state that the reports of mutiny aboard the ship were greatly exaggerated. Shortly after the steamer left Fremantle, eight stowaways were discovered. They were given work cleaning brass and were provided with cabins. They were also given the same food as the passengers, with whom they took their meals. The stowaways complained of their food and declined to work. On Tuesday they made themselves highly objectionable. They molested ladies on the promenade deck, on which they were not allowed. The captain ordered them to be confined.

Led by a half-caste Cuban, who acted as the ringleader, the stowaways offered stout resistance. The crew armed themselves with life-preservers and, after a fierce fight, the stowaways were hanacuffed, but they continued to struggle. Eventually a hose was turned on them and they were washed down the gangway into the isolation ward, where there were several inches of water on the floor.

The next night, apparently finding a crowbar which had been overlooked, the men broke out. Four of the stowaways were found in the passengers’ quarters and they were recaptured and reconfined.

On Thursday morning a fire was seen issuing from below. It was ascertained that the men set their bedding, pillows and clothes alight, necessitating the blazing mass being thrown out of the portholes. The passengers believe this was merely" intended to frighten them and that it was not the intention to fire the ship. The hose was again used and the fire promptly put out. It is also reported that a microphone was installed near the foot of the stairs, attached to the wood, to detect plots, and that by this means plans to fire the ship were discovered, enabling them to be easily dealt with.

A preliminary official inquiry will be held aboard the liner before anyone is allowed ashore.

Thre or four hundred passengers have signed a memorial to Captain Daniel espressing appreciation of the tact, ability and leniency wherewith he and the officers of the ship dealt with a difficult situation. The signatories stated that they had not observed any signs of the crew’s active sympathy with the stowaways, but heard many strongly condemning such insubordinate behaviour.

The hose-pipe was turned on as a last resort, the stowaways being practically washed into the isolation ward.

The stowaways were discovered shortly after the ship left Fremantle. The chief officer ordered that they be given light work and gave them cabins and allowed them to take meals with the passengers, but they were Hot satisfied, particularly one who was described as a half-caste Cuban.

An inquiry on board of a preliminary nature was conducted by the principal collector of customs. At the conclusion it was decided that the men be tried locally by a marine court of inquiry. The eight men accused are all stowaways and consist of four Englishmen, three Scotsmen and one American negro. They were removed by the police to gaol on remand. The passengers were disembarked after the inquiry.