THE ADELAIDE SHIP MURDER.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3886, 18 August 1873, Page 2

THE ADELAIDE SHIP MURDER.

(Abridged from the " S. A. Regis er.") A shocking murder was committed on board the barque Tojigay on Saturday, 26th July, the victim being the master of that vessel. After the ship was towed to the anchorage, four of her seamen, nomed Joseph Adam?, William Edgar, Thos. M'Lean, and Ben JRebbeck, were placed in her by the police, having been taken irora the gaol to (he ship under h warrant of deliverance. These men seemed to have had a bad" intention when boarding, for threats were heard as to what would happen. On Saturday morning the sailors refused to man the windlass, consequently the signal was made for a shore boat, in which the captain landed to procure some help to lift the anchor. At 5 o'clock he returned to the ship, and the order was passed along to proceed to sea, •when the four of the crew before mentioned walked aft, and asked what was to be done to them, in allusion to their previous misconduct The captain replied, " I will tell you on Monday morning." Adams said, " You son of a — -, I will do for you ; take that," at the same instant giving the master a bloir with some weapon, which he then threw overboard. The captain was immediately felled to the deck, and while the cowardly assailants skulked away forwards, the officers carried the master below: He never again spoke. The fearful blow he received gashed the upper lip completely through, and the blood flowed down his throat till asphyxia resulted. Once 'the mate felt Captain Witlucombe press his hand, but no other sign of consciousness was made, . and in an hour he ceased to breathe. It was shown that Adams hud the cook's rolling pin in his hand before he went aft, and that whs supposed to have been, the weapon of death. Tfie captain wns a young man on his first voyage as master, and belonged to Plymouth, where his father wa3 an officer in the Coastguard service. What adds a melancholy interest to the case is the fact that just six weeks before his leaving England be was married, and had looked forward with much pleasure to an early return to his wife. When the jnen were taken to the police station they had not been informed of the captain's death, and therefore treated the whole affair with the greatest levity, they having attained their Object in getting ashore from the vessel. When, however, the charge of murder was read over to Adams, his manner changed. It is Baid that each man drew lots to decide who * should strike the blow which should bring them before a magistrate, and the lot fell on Adams. It is not yet certain with what the accessories are to be charged, but doubtlesß more will be learned after the inquest.