AN OCEAN HORROR.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3150, 2 August 1881, Page 4

AN OCEAN HORROR.

A MIENZIED CHINESE COOK,

SJHE OAPTAIN KII/IBD AND THE SHIP BIOWN OT. Details are to hand of tho murder of Captain Hornsby, of the ill-fated Eustace, and the destruction of tbat schooner. The facts of the tragedy, as related by the mate, are ss follows •—On the morning of the 13th June, while midway between Cape Solucas and Mazatlin, the Chinese cook, Tom Hay, began to act in an eccentric manner, exhibiting signs of insanity, and laboring under the impression that someone was going to take his life. As he was not violent be was allowed to remain at large. After staying in his quarters from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m., ho ■went to work apparently all right. A little after 1 p.m. he went below, and was supposed to retire to rest at 8 o'clock. While conversing with the mate, the captain remarked that he would go below and light a cigar. Almost immediately he returned with a cry of pain, and, holding his hands over his abdomen, called out " Catch him, catch him ?" The mate rushed aft, and mat the captain at the cabin door, when the latter cried, " Pull this knife cut," jmd _f_M mate then saw a murderous-looking knife protruding from the captain's stomac_-B He tried to pull it out, but was unable.to do so ; with the assistance of the man afe the wheel, however, he afterwards satcceCW!. and the captain, giving two or three fell back and expired, to the horror arid c-rf-sternation of the crew. The man at thr>. wheel saw the insane murderer a locker in the cabin, in which the axes and weapons* of the ship were kept, and blow out the.cabin light. The men were ca'led aft, ai_d N \Jaid the captain's body on the quarter-deck, and covered it up. The cabin door was then closed, the men all going forward except the mate, who remained at the wheel, armed with a belav.ng-pin. Shortly afterwards the cook came to the door, but the mate prevented him from coming out. and again called the crew aft. As the cook declined to come out, the door was again closed and made fast, as the crew were afraid of the cook as all the firearms were in the cabin. As soon as the men had gone forward again, the cook came to the poop and told the mate that if he molested him he would kill him and then fire the ship. As there were 2000 kegs of powder on board, the men were afraid of this, and desired to leave the ship immediately. The mate dissuaded them, but had a boat prepared with water and provisions. Nothing of moment transpired until the next day, when thecook offered to pass put to the men any provisions they might require, butane offer'was declined. About 2 p.m. an-'alarm of fire •was given, and smoke was seen proceeding from the cabin! skylight. The long-boat was but was capsized, and the crew vre/aspsto?a, small boat as fast as possible, Ih ttSh tmhufces the leo-side of the quarter-deck was in a sheet of flame, and in five or ten nrinfcues more a terrific explosion took place. This was followed in a few minutes by a second explosion. The mate and crew then pulled on shore, and made land about fifty miles north of Mazatlin. Here they were well oared for by a wealthy Spaniard, and sent to Lota.