A CAPTAIN COERCED. Alleged Insuberdination on the High Seas.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 330, 2 January 1889, Page 5

A CAPTAIN COERCED. Alleged Insuberdination on the High Seas.

JS kwcastlk, December 18. The German barque Orion, 300 tons re. gister, which sailed from this port on the 6th instant, bound for Valparaiso with 560 tons of eoaJ, put back to the harbour thi& morning: in a leaky condition. Captain Jack states thai after leaving" Newcastle the \essel commenced to make water at the rate of about three inches per hour, but this only necessitated the crew working at the pumps one hour out of every lour. When about 350 miles off the coa»t the crew asked the captain to return to port, stating that if he did not do .so they would cease duty. Matters became serious, and signs of a mutiny weie apparent amongst tho crew who are all foreigner?. Captain Jack finding that it would be dangeious to continue the voyage in tace of the tin eats, determined to put back, and boic away foi Newcastle, which wa^ reached as> above sta'ed. The captain informed the crew that he was willing to call in at Auckland, but they remained firm in their entreaties that he should return to this port. A warrant has been issued against two of the ringleaders, who will bo arrested during the day on a charge of insubordination on the high seas.

Xi,\vcAbTu:, J>ecember 19. In connection with the return of the Herman barque Oiion. the crew could not be arrested ior insubordination as the ' oflenoc-5 were committed on the hi^h .seas, and the colonial authorities have no jurisdiction in the matter. It appears that alter ; they ceased duty the captain and ofliceif: manned the pump- to prevent the water gaining" on the vessel. Seveial members of the ciew suggested in an indirect manner that the services of the captain fchould be dispensed with, and that they .should assume command. They are alleged to have kept several pistols and a gun loaded in the forecastle, and the captain fearing the ■worst armed himself; but this action on the part of 'the men was no doubt for the purpose of f lightening the captain to comply with their requests to put, ! back to port. The vessel will be surveyed j to-day, wlien the position ot the leak will bo ascertained, preparatory to having repairs carried out. Captain Jack ia Aery j reticent about the whole aftair.