Shocking Brutality at Sea.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 145, 18 December 1895, Page 2

Shocking Brutality at Sea.

At Sydney recently, William McLelland, second mate of the ship Canada, was charged with having assaulted W. Ayres, a seaman, on the high seas during September. Ayrea, it was stated, afterwards died- Witnesses for the prose; cution alleged fearful brutality against the accused. Francis Eggert, a seaman, said that on the 18th September Ayres was op deck splicing ropes. Accused struck him on the head with hfs fist and then kicked him.* Deceased was unable to do what was required, so accused kicked him again. Deceased wag tliop sent down into the hold and left without food. He was laid up for three days with a hole in his head. Subgaqnently he resumed duty but died on the 18th of October. Charles Fletcher gave corroborative evidence, and said that after the assault the captain ordered deceased to go down into the hold. Deceased was dazed, and did not appear to understand. The captain said that if he didn't go down he would jump his brains out. Deceased was left in the hold without food, and his wounds were not dressed. Deceased was dazed ever afterwards. About a month after this deceased was ordered aloft, and on endeavouring to obey he fell down, his wounds re opened, and he died. Mr Gillies, for the prosecution, intimated that he would alter the charge to one of inflicting grievous bodily harm, aud the case was adjourned, the captain having also been arrested.