CRUISE OF H.M.S. ROSARIO.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 53, 1 March 1872, Page 2

CRUISE OF H.M.S. ROSARIO.

A LARGE NUMBER OF NATIVES

KILLED.

The Sydney Town and Country Journal gives the following extended accouut of the cruise of H.M.S. Rosario amongst the South Sen Islands. It will be seen that the reported attack upon the murderers of Bishop Patteson is really correct, although the report given by the Sydney Morning Herald led us to the conclusion that no such attack had taken place. The Town and Country Journal of February 10 says : — H.M.S. Rosario, 3 guns, Captain Markham, returned last evening from a cruise to the South Sea Islands. The following account of her proceedings will be read with interest : — "Called at Norfolk Island, and from thence proceeded to Havauah Harbor. The ship's boats went from thence to Nuna or Montague Island, to enquire 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 natives, who refused to give up the

murderers. The boats thereupon opened fire on them, which the natives returned with arrows, fee. After visiting several other islands, the account continues : — November 29, noon : The Rosario steamed 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 1£ miles in consequence of a reef which encircles the Bay. A boat was sent to endeavor to cross the reef, and communicate 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 bad got to within fifty yards of the main land 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 then returned to the ship to report the attack, and to ask permission to return fire. The boat was ordered to return, and the ship was cleared for action, and opened fire with shell from the 40-pounder Armstrong, and the seven-inch 6|-ton gun ; while tbe crew of the boat opened fire with their rifles. The Rosario made a circuit of the island, and when abreast of the native village, fired on it with shell at 2,300 yards. At 4 p.m., it being high water, the boats were able to cross the reef, and four of them advanced on the village with small arms, and engaged the natives, who kept up a continual discharge of arrows ; tho ship sent in shell afc a range of a mile. After firing several hundred rounds, the men landed from the boats, and drove tho natives iv from the beach. Here one of the arrows struck Corporal Marcus in the arm, and the wound afterwards proved fatal. The uative canoes were destroyed, and the seamen pushed on to the 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 flame. It was estimated that from twenty to thirty natives were killed in the engagement. At 5.30 p.m. the boats started for the ship, which made sail for Santa Cruz.