CAPTURE OF AN ARAB SLAVER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2578, 19 January 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

CAPTURE OF AN ARAB SLAVER.

Letters received from Zanzibar contain particulars of the gallant capture by Navigating Lieut. Miles-Cooper, who was killed on the occasion, of ii slave dhow off Peniba, on tha 17th (Mobur. The dhow was sighted at ten o'clock by H.M.S. Griffen, and Lieut. Cooper at once gave chase in the ship's steam cutter. As soon ,73 they got alongside the dhow the Arabs received them with a volley from their rifles, tiring right into the boat. The Arabs also had n small Sun on board the slaver, but, notwithstanding all thfcir efforts, it would not go off. The injury, however, done by tha rifles on board the steam cutter was sufficient. Lieut. Cooper- was fatally wounded, and laid in the bottom of the boat. Notwithstanding Irs injuries, and with the pluck of a true British officer, he at once told the master-sit-arms, the next in command, to carry outhis orders. " Never mind me," he said, "but take the dhow at all hazards." The crow thereupon at once made for the dhow, and just after this the caulker's mate was seriously wounded, and soon only three were left to take the slaver. This small party fought her for more than an hour, and then the crew of the dhow, numbering 14 or 15 Arabs, ran her ashore, and escaped. On boarding the dhow, it was found that several unfortunate slaves had been wounded in the engagement. As soon as Lieut. Cooper knew the dhow was captured, he ordered his boat to be taken back to the ship, and died just as he got alongside with his prize. Another of the wounded was in a critical condition.