CANNIBALISM AT SEA.

Evening Star, Issue 4135, 29 May 1876, Page 4

CANNIBALISM AT SEA.

On the 16th March, the ship Greta arrived in the Mersey from San Francisco, having on board the captain, first mate, and eight men of the sailing ship Great Britain, whom they had picked up in an open boat in the Atlantic, about 600 miles from Cape Clear. The vessel was bound from Darien to Liverpool, with a cargo of timber, but encountering very tempestuous weather, she became completely waterlogged, The crew remained by her, however, for some days, during which the captain’s two sons died. At,lastseeing no- hope of rescue,-the captain and crew, numbering thirteen men took to a boat, leaving the captain’s dead sons on the vessel. The provisions havirg been nearly all spoiled very little could be taken on board the boat, and for six days they were tossed about, enduring the agony of slow starvation. On the seventh day a steamer was sighted, and every possible means was taken to attract the attention of those on board, but without success, and as the steamer disappeared the unfortunate crew gave themselves up to despair. The cook who tip to that time had been the most cheerful, and had tried to keep up the spirits of his companions, became completely despondent and died that night from exhaustion. Next day another man died, and, as those who were left had been without food or drink for thiee days, they ate the livers of their dead comrades, selecting these parts on account of the blood which they contained, and with which they quenched their terrible thirst. On the following day a third man died, and the remainder were so j i educed that they Could barely crawl about the-boat. On the ninth day alter leaving “their vessel they were* picked up by the Greta and taken on board, where every kindness was shown them, but, in spite of the care with which they were treated, their privations had, been so severe that when they were landed at Liverpool the majority, were so weak that they had, to be taken ib the hospital. The daptain. however, was able tb go to his Own homo, I