SHIPWRECK AND MUTINY. [Communicated by one of the Passengers.]

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 8, 26 July 1845, Page 3

SHIPWRECK AND MUTINY. [Communicated by one of the Passengers.]

We have to relate one of the most melancholy cases of Shipwreck and Mutiny, attended with loss of life on record. The name of the vessel is the " New Zealand" recently built, and one of the finest ships in the British Navy. She sailed from England in 1539, for the South Seas, under the command of Capt. Patrick, under ciroumstrnces which gave hopes for a most prosperous voyage; her- Captain however dying, the command devolved upon the first Lieutenant, Mr. Willoughby, who held it very creditably, until the arrival from England of Captain Kingson, v» ho had been appointed to succeed Captain Patrick. Itseems that her new commander wished to try a system of navigation, lately invented by Hall, of Exeter, which is materially different from and altogether opposed to the principles laid down in the excellent work by Sense, published some years ago, and generally approved of in the Service; his first act was to discharge his first lieutenant, and other officers who did not hold his principles, and appointed new ones who were favourable to his ideas She was not long under her new commander, before,' owing it is supposed to a miscalculation, she struck upon Landfund {shoal, damaged her false keel, and sprung a leak, which let the water into her magazine and spirit store, owing to the bad Cooper-age; this leak was however soon stopped by the patent paper American oakum, which seemed at the time to answer the purpose admirably, but which has since been proved to be a miserable failme. Shortly after this accident, the crew began to show symptoms of mutiny, the ring-leader, a troublesome fellow with a swarthy complexion, named John Akay, took objection to the ensign being hoisted, and tore it down in presence of the crew. Captain Kingson instead of acting with vigour, and bringing the fellow to punishment, which is contrary to the system of Hall, of Exeter, by the advice of his Clerk, unlocked the spirit stores in order to propitiate the mutineers, and dismissed the 44 Customs," revenue cutter, which had hitherto attended the " New Zealand," as a tender. What followed might have been expected, Akay and his followers instead of being appeased were emboldened by the course adopted, and commenced to rob and maltreat the passengers,of which there were many, and tde ensign was again torn down and trampled under foot. The passengers enraged at the loss of their property, attempted to defend it, and a collision took place, in which several lives were lost on both sides, but they were at last diiveu from their cabins,and forced to take refuge on the poop, and leave their property to be canied away or destroyed by the mutineers. Vigorous measures were at last adopted, but it was now too late ; Akay aud his followers haviug fortified themselves on the forecastle, defied the officers, threatened to attack the poop, and take possession of the ship. Things were in this state, when she unfortunately struck upon Bankrupt reef, where she now remains in Id seriously damaged state, with a large hole in her bottom. We believe Captain Kingson is now convinced of the absurdity of the new sjstem of navigation, and is taking every means in his power to rectify his mistake, it is even said thai he will no longer listen to his Clerk, by whose advice he has been hitherto in a great measure guided. The mutineers, however, are not yet putdown 5 seveial attempts to dislodge them from their stronghold have failed, but they are kept from doing further mischief, by the well-disposed portion of the crew, headed by Thomas Walker," one of the petty officers. The '* Customs " revenue cutter has again joined the " New Zealand " but in a shattered condition, having met with very heavy weather; and we have reason to hope that this ver) fine ship, will soon be got oIF the reef, and hauled into dock, theie to undergo a thorough repair. We trust in the mean time to hear no more of the American paper oakum, which is a complete hum bug j FlajcsuxA Gum make by far the best material for stopping leaks, which, when coveied with Copper sheathing, is perfectly 6ecuie and water tight. The most lamentable part of this truly unfortunate affair, is ihe loss of life, which has been very great.

A serious revolt has broken out in Tripoli, on the Butbary coast of Africa, and which threatens alarming consequences. Upwards of 600 men from Ifireli,KekUeli, and Havana, have takeu up arms. ♦Intrigues on the part of the French and Bey of Tunis are supposed to have a good deal to do with the insurrection.