THE MASSACRE ON BOARD THE MARION RENNY.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 817, 10 March 1871, Page 2

THE MASSACRE ON BOARD THE MARION RENNY.

(FROM THE FIJI TIMES, FEB. 1 .) We have' been favored with the following account by a gentleman who arrived here from Loma Loma on Monday last of a tragedy which forms a startling episode in the history of the labor traffic of Fiji. The Marion Renny, schooner, belonging to Messrs Hennings and Eae, arrived at Loma Loma on Monday, 23rd instant, having on board only four natives, who gave the following melancholy account of their voyage :- After leavRotumah they sailed westward for six days, when they anchored under Cherry Island. At this time there were on board Mr Rae, Mr Dirl, mate, Bill und Charlie, and two forward hands (?), and the steward, all white men ; six Rotumah men, one Sandwich, and four Fijians. A measage was sent to Mr Rae to say that there were plenty men to be had if he would go ashore. On the following morning Mr Rae, four Rotumah men, and the Sandwich man, went on shore in the long-boat. About the same time two canoes carrying about a dozen men in each, put off to the vessel, whilst several natives swam out to her. She was anchored about a quarter of a mile from the shore. When the boat reached the shore and Mr Rae and the men had disappeared, she was cast adrift by the natives, who then rushed inland shouting and hurrying as if to one spot. An attack was immediately made by the natives who had boarded the ship upon the crew. The man Bill was killed with the ship's axe, his head being nearly severed from his body. Mr Dirl, the mate, was killed in his cabin on deck. The steward was loading a gun, and a Fijian called on him to fire, he and another man seizing a gun each. The three men fired, but without killing any one. However, it frightened the natives, who then left the ship. The remainder of tLe crew then tried to heave up the anchor, but were unable, and therefore slipped the cable. The long-boat was seen drifting close in shore, and was afterwards drawn up by the natives. The two Rotumah meu who had been left on board were killed, the steward slightly wounded in the arm, and Charlie, the other forward hand, was severely wounded in the arm and head. The mate and Bill were buried at sea the next day. The steward and Charlie appear to have had some words, but what about cannot be ascertained. For four or five days Chai'lie remained in the cabin eating nothing, and only driukiug a little water out of a teaspoon. He then appears to have come out of his mind. He took a revolver, and going slowly on deck, went to a FijiaD at the wheel, patting hi v on the back, and calling him a "good boy." He then went to the house on deck where the steward was, and tiring at him through the window killed him instantaneously. Then ie fired at the man at the wheel, but nissed him. Before he could tire again the Fijian rushed at him and clasped him round the arms, calling upon the other three to come and help him. They took the revolver from him, and then held a consultation as to what they should do with him, ultimately deciding that, as their lives were in danger, and the man nearly dead from his wounds, they would throw him overboard, which they accordingly did. They continued their course for Fiji as best they were able, steering by the sun through the day and at night taking their chance. The first land they sighted was Vanua Levu, which they mistook for Tanna, and loaded all the weapons they could find with which to defend themselves in case of attack. They appear to have passed through Tasraan'a Straits, and thence to Nitomba, which one of the crew who belongs to that part of the group recognised. He piloted the vessel thence to Loma Loma, which was reached on the date above named. The date of reaching Cherry Island, as noted in the log-book, was 22nd December, and the natives say that they have been 30 days out, which would make the dates agree. Three natives from the island were killed in the scuffle on board the vessel. Cherry Island is a small island near the New Hebrides. This is the third time this vessel has lost men by the bloodthirstiness of the natives. At one time she had two of her crew killed in Torres Straits ; since then she was taken by the natives of the Line Islands, and her crew murdered ; and now we have the above painful record.