A STRANGE STORY.

Kumara Times, Issue 1357, 5 February 1881, Page 2

A STRANGE STORY.

According to the St. James’ Gazette* “in a lately published book, written by, Rear-Admiral Werner, of the' German navy, a strange story is told of the way in which, many years ago, in 1836, * French man-of-war went down with all’ hands on board in West Indian waters. The ship has been in commission for two years on the Antilles station, and during the whole of the time her captain, who is described as an incarnation of cruelty, had exercised his ingenuity in tormenting in every possible way both the officers and. men ot his crew. So well had he succeeded that the livCs of all on board had been rendered a burden to them, while the captaiti himself was hated with an intensity of which proof was soon to be given. Orders a length came for the ship to return home; Not long after the anchor had been weighed it became evident that a heavy squall Was Coming down on the ship, and the Captain directed the officer of the watch to shorten sail. The orders were given, but not a man moved. Again the orders were repeated this time by tjjd captain himself, but still not a man moved. ‘ This is mutiny,’ Cried the captain, and then a bundraPrvoices answered, ‘ We will not shorten sail.’ In vain the terrified captain appealed to the officers to support him. ’they stood silent, and neither threats nor promises availed to make man or officer move, save only a few who were noted as spies and favorites of the captain. A few minutes more and the squall struck the ship, in a moment the vessel was thrown on her beam eudsi ‘ Cut away the masts!’ shouted the

captain : but still not a man moved. Xn anbthevminute, however, the rigging cajri*awajf, the masts .went by the and thus relieved, the ship righted Xihrself. Then Ihe long, suppressed.irage of the crew , broke 'forth, and rtishing aft, they siezed the captain. A few minutes mdte and he Would have followed the ringing, but the first lieutenant going below, opened the door of ■the magazine and fired bis pistol into it. There was a load report, and the ship Was ho more. An hour afterwards an t American vessel passing over the spot picked up one of the crew 1 , who told the sidry of what had happened, and died shortly afterwards.