HOW CRUEL ORDERS KILLED A SAILOR BOY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 61, 16 February 1877, Page 3

HOW CRUEL ORDERS KILLED A SAILOR BOY.

The Melbourne Argus of January 6th, thus describes a very harrowing affair on shipboard :— John Howard Southern, 17 years of age, late an apprentice on board the ship Antiope, at present lying at the Sandridge Pier, died in the Melbourne Hospital, on the 2nd instant, from fracture of the spine. According to the evidence adduced at the inquest, he was sent several times during the morning of that day by the first or second mate to the masthead, and by way of recruiting his strength after this light and exhilarating exercise, he was permitted to spend the dinner hour in the foretop. This, no doubt, was done in order that he might learn to restrain his carnal appetites and support a young and growing organisation on a plentiful supply of air. When his superiors had duly refreshed themselves, and recruited their exhausted strength with the viands which sailors affect, this favored boy was once more ordered to indulge in a little gymnastic exercise. It was not sufficient that he had been up and down repeatedly in the forenoon, and kept without any dinner more solid than that we have described. This was not enough to chasten his spirit, and subdue any of the old Adam that might be in him. To work he must go again. "On the last occrsion." said John Williams, a seaman on board the vessel, " he complained that his arms were th-ed, and that he could not then go up again. According to the same witness, he urged " I cannot do it to-day, but I will try to do it to-morrow morning." The mate however, insisted upon liis going up at once, and the deceased did so, crying. Hoavever, his tears Avere soon dried. In a few minutes he was seen tumbling headlong from aloft, and before the chief mate could have had time to conclude one of those nautical blessings on his eyes and limbs which are common afloat, John Howard Southern, aged 17, Avas lying senseless on the deck of the Antiope Avith his back broken. It is evident that he Avas a very unaccommodating' lad. Here Avere Messrs Bewey and Bisson conducting most interesting experiments on his powers of endurance, Avhen he must needs go and kill himself, simply because his natural powers Avould not bear the strain put on them. What do you think of the case reader? What Aye Avonder. will his mother think of the case? Is it impossible that in her grief at his death she maybe unreasonable enough to think he Avas Avantonly and brutally murdered? We shall also be interested to know Avhat the law officers of the Crown think of the case. The coroner's jury considered that the mates —gallant seamen —Avere " highly blamoable," but the idea of mates being highly blamoable for merely killing a boy is palpably absurd. Last of all, we should like to know Avhat Mr. Bewley thinks of the case. What, name does his conscience giA-e to this act ? If it is silence noAv, perhaps it Avill answer Avhen some ship is sinking under him.