MUTINY ON BOARD THE S.S. COPTIC.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3308, 5 May 1885, Page 3

MUTINY ON BOARD THE S.S. COPTIC.

[By Tblegbaph.] Wellington, May 4. The s.«. Coptic, chartered by the Imperial Government, was to have gone to sea yesterday under sealed orders, having taken m 4000 tons of coal, ordered to be put on board by the English authorities. She cleared at the Customs on Saturday afternoon, for Guam, whither most vessels leaving under secret orders are bound. On Saturday night, however, there were signs of dissatisfaction among the crew, and yesterday morning about thirty of them refused to go to sea. On being asked what reasons they had for doing so, some stated that they merely wanted to know where they were bound for, and being asked if they would go if told, some claimed the colonial rate of wages, others said they had been engaged under charter to Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, but they now considered they were wanted to serve as Government men, to which they objected. They also thought they would run the risk of being mado prisoners of war, coal being contraband m time of war. Latbe. A number of firemen of the steamer Coptic, who refused to go to sea as their destination was not known, were brought before the Eesident Magistrate's Court today, and were sentenced to ten weeks' imprisonment, and ordered to forfeit two days' pay and defray a portion of the costs. Should the Captain apply to have the men sent on board they will be removed from gaol. The' Coptic succeeded m obtaining the necessary firemen at the colonial rate of wages, and sailed at 7.45 p.m., but anchored m Wovser Bay at 9.15, owing to a heavy southerly gale.