THE ROSARIO SHELLING HOSTILE ISLANDS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1121, 1 March 1872, Page 2

THE ROSARIO SHELLING HOSTILE ISLANDS.

The following account of the proceedings of H.M.S. Rosario during her cruise among the South Sea Islands will be read with painful interest :— • Called at Norfolk Island, and from thence proceeded to Havanah Harbor. The ship's boats went from thence to Nuna or Montague Island, to inquire into the circumstances attending the murder of the mate and two of the crew of the cutter. Fanny; Captain Markham landed, and opened communication with the naiives, who refused to give up the murderers. The boats thereupon opened fire on them, which the natives returned with, arrows, j&c. November 15. —The Rosarig .steamed round to .Nuna, and shelled the native Village. '•■ November 29, noon.-r-The Rosario steaired up to the south-east side of Nukapu (Swallow Group),, where "Bishop Patteson had been murdered. Captain Markham's object was to communicate with the natives respecting the affair; but the ship could get no nearer than a mile and three-quarteirs, in consequence of a reef that encircles the bay. A boat was sent to endeavor to cross the reef, and'comniuuicate with the natives. The boat followed round the outside of the reef, and about twenty native canoes- approached from the inside. The Rosario's boat had got to within fifty yards of the mainland when the natives commenced their war dance and made other hostile indications. They then sent a shower! of arrows at the Rosario's boat, which, however, all fell short. The boat thenireturned to the ship to report the attack, and to ask permission to return it. The boat was ordered to return and the ship was cleared for action, and opened fire with shell from the forty-pounder Aimstrong, arid the 7in six and a half tori gun ; while the crew of the boat opened fire \ with their rifles. The Rosario mad.c a , circuit of the island, and when abreast; of i the. native village fired -op it with shell! at i 2300 yards. At 4 p.m., . it being hish i water, the boats were able to cross the reef, \

and four of them advanced on the village with smaU arms, and engaged the natives, who kept up a continual discharge of arrows ; the ship sent in shell at a range of a mile. After firing several hundred rouuds, the men landed from the boats and drove the natives in from the bjjach. Here one of the arrows struck' Corporal Marcus in the arm, and the wound afterwards proved fatal. ' The native canoes were destroyed, and the seamen puljed on to tlie village, where one of them received two bad wounds, but ultimately recovered from their effects. The village proved to be very strongly fortified with stone work, which was thrown up in front of each hut. In a few minutes the native habitations were set in flames. It was estimated that from twenty, to .thirty natives were killed in the engagement. At half-past 6 p.m. the boats started for the ship, which made sail for Santa Cruz. Just as the ship was leaving, .the. natives were seen at work extinguishing, the flames, but their reflection was visible for three hours after the ship had sailed.. An instance of capital shooting is recorded on the part of the wounded corporal, Marcus. Five natives were seen on a point of^land with their canoes, when Marcus^lodgpd a shell which burst in the midst of them, causing a most terrible havoc and destroying their canoes. ' vX November 30.— Arrived off Santa Cruz, and witnessed a native engagement ; the shore party were fighting against the canoes— the cause of the quarrel could .not be ascertained. One hundred and ten native canoes came round the vessel for trade, their favorite articles being beads and bottles. • December 15. — Anchored at. Cape Lisbon and inquired of Mr Goodwell respecting the murderers of the crew of the New Zealand - craft, the Wild Duck. December 16.— Landed at the village, and demanded of the head chief the murderers. He acknowledged having killed them, aud it was supposed he had -eaten them. Inflicted a fine of fifteen" pigs. The natives delivered only four, and then escaped. The canoes were then destroyed and the village set in flames. ; December 27. — Called at Aurora Island. As the natives appeared friendly^ tfu. boat' was sent on shore. Paymaster H& had just got out and sat down on th? beach, when one of the natives clubbed him, inflicting two severe wounds. The men toofeto the bbaty and the ship commenced to shell the village, which caused an immediate flight of the inhabitants. The village was destroyed, also the canoes. Left in the evening for Tanna. After this nothing particular took place. .