A BRAVE ENGLISH LIEUTENANT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2033, 10 January 1889, Page 3

A BRAVE ENGLISH LIEUTENANT

« Letters have been received furnishing particulars of the engagement with a sl»ve dhow off tbe Zsnsibar coast on the night of October 17, resulting m tbe death of Navlgatlng-lieutenant Mylfs Cooper, ti the Griffon, A volunteer orew of six, all •told, auder Lieutenant Oooper, were In the ship's steam cotter off the Island of Pemb». The dhow was sighted, and the steamer gave chase. As Bhe got alongside the Arabs fired a volley from their rifles right into her. Lieutenant Oooper was fatally wounded, but he at once gave orders for the attacking master-at-arms to take command sajrlng, " Never mind me . take the dhow at all hpzirdi." The Arabs continued firing, and the caulker's mate was seriously wonnded, and soon afterwards the sallmaker's mate fell. The remainlog three of tbe cutter's crew kept np a gallant fight for an hour. Then the Arab orew of 14 or 15 ran the dhow ashore and escaped, taking dead and wounded with them. Tbe dhow contained 98 slaves — men, women, and childrenseveral of th ( m having been wounded In the engagement. When the o»pture of the dhow *as reported to Lieutenant Oooper he said, "Then securely anchor her and make tbe best of our way to tbe ship." This was done, bat the gallant (ffioer died just before reaching tbe Griffon. Tbe other two wounded were In tbe hospital at Z ' zibar. The sailmaker was doing well, but the caulker was m a orltloal condition* The sad affair oreated a profound Impression among. officers and men engaged In the suppression of the slave trade.