MUTINY AND SHIP WRECK.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 34, 25 November 1842, Page 2

MUTINY AND SHIP WRECK.

The hired transport-ship Sir George Arthur, with stores for government, and eighty convicts for the hulks at her Majesty's naval-yard, under the medical charge of Mr. I. Williams, struck on the rocks at the west end of these islands about eleven o’clock on the night of Thursday last. The weather at the time being very boisterous, she was driven over the outer reefs by the force of the sea, where she let go her anchor. Signal guns were fired on board, and blue-lights burned, which were observed from the shore, when a number of boats from Somerset, notwithstanding the tempestuous weather and heavy rain falling at the time, pushed off to her assistance. As soon as they boarded, finding the vessel in a very leaky state, and impossible to be. kept free, they immediately set about landing the passengers and crew. The first boat from her reached her Majesty’s dock-yard next day at about eleven o’clock. The termination of the Sir George Arthur's voyage was truly distressing, but not more so than the painful suspense the passengers were kept in during the latter part of the voyage, occasioned by the mutinous proceedings of eleven of the crew (who are now in prison at her Majesty’s naval yard) in refusing to do duty, and who were consequently placed in confinement, leaving the vessel to the mercy of convicts, whom they likewise endeavoured to excite to revolt, but without success ; and the ship was worked the remainder of the voyage by the very men who were placed on board as prisoners, expressing their determination “ to take the ship in safety to her port of destination, as far as we are capable.” We are concerned to learn that the Rev. Dr. Mallet lost much valuable furniture and other articles, and the other passengers suffered severely by similar losses. The government stores, or the greater part of them, will be saved, and much of the hull and rigging. —Bermuda Royal Gazette , June 7.

PIRACY

On Sunday last, about noon, the Paradox was working out of our Bay, on her passage to Macao, having a light breeze: on board were the French Consul, M. Challaye, M. Chonski, Secretary to Colonel Jancigny, and M. Froget, one ox our residents, with a crew of five Lascars. On the Paradox rounding the point, near Green Island, they discovered, close in shore, two pirate boats, vigorously attacking a Chinese fast boat, which carries passengers between Macao and Hongkong. At sight of the Paradox, the passengers (many of whom were Macao Portuguese) and the women on board the fast boat, cried out lustily for assistance. Although the two pirate boats’ crews numbered at least one hundred, and the Paradox was wholly unprepared for a conflict, yet she bore gallantly down on the pirates to the rescue. Without doubt the pirates thought it was a man-of-war schooner, or a vessel despatched from the fleet, which was in full view. Hence, one pirate boat got out to sea, the other being close pressed, rati on the rocks, and after pitching two of their iron guns overboard, the crew, about sixty, made for the hills. M. Challaye, on landing, discovered one of the pirates lurking about, captured him, and dragged him to the West Point Barracks, which are adjacent. On representing the case to the Commanding Officer, a party of men were promptly despatched in pursuit of the fugitives. The captured pirate boat was brought to the government

lauding place. It was immediately recognised as a boat which had been quietly moored there the night before — indeed, till a few hours previously to the occurrence under notice. On searching her, she was found amply j provided with powder, shot, stink pots, bamboos charged, with powder (for igniting vessels), pikes, spears, match--locks, two iron and one brass gun —indeed, the proper equipment for such nefarious objects. Two books were also found, which Dr. Bridgman (one of our residents, and an eminent Chinese scholar) declares to be the ac-count-books of these lawless adventurers, who even do dishonestly selon les regies. We are disposed to think the rescued in their fears may have exaggerated their danger, for they declared, but for the almost miraculous intervention of the Paradox, they, would have been all slaughtered and pitched overboard by the Chinese pirates. These things do happen. It is but a few days since, one of our residents, going to Macao in a fast boat, with at least sixty passengers on board, was attacked. The presence of well-armed Europeans alone prevented a fatal issue. —Friend of China and Hongkong Gazette, July 7.

It is reported that the Lord Auckland has been wrecked in Torres’ Straits, within about half a mile of the Martha Ridgway.

BIRTH. On Wednesday, 23d inst., Mrs. Watters, widow of the deceased John Watters, of a daughter.