A BEWITCHED SHIP.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 211, 6 September 1877, Page 2

A BEWITCHED SHIP.

A curious voyage of the barque Frederick, of 909 tons register, sailing from Cardiff to Barbadoes, is thus described in a recent issue of Iron. On reaching the latter port the crew quarrelled with the captain and deserted, and the second ciew, while on a passage to Manilla, acted in a most singular manner. The cook beat the captain because he was ordered to get breakfast ready, other members of the crew thrashed their officers, got drunk, and rolled about the deck as though they were drunk. Seized with some sudden infatuation, three of them beat the captain with belaying pins; he fought with them, but on becoming weak asked for some water, which they at once brought. Some marines from a Spanish war ship eventually took charge of the Frederick, and the men were punished. On the voyage home, however, another strange and unaccountable thing took place. The command of the vessel, for some unexplained reason, was given to another captain who, one dark night, was seen to come on the half poop, and then disappear overboard. The vessel did eventually arrive at Liverpool. Every man aboard the j Frederick appearsto have become demented, and if old salts are to be believed, the ship was bewitched. This story forcibly illustrates the defenceless condition of any passenger, and proves tbat the dangers to be apprehended while afloat are aa varied as they are numerous.