THE ENGLISH CAPTIVES IN SUMATRA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1219, 19 August 1884, Page 3

THE ENGLISH CAPTIVES IN SUMATRA.

The following particulars in connection with the wreck of the Nisero in November last, and the subsequent capture of her crew by the Rajah of Tenom, may be of interest. The narrative is given in the Scotsman as being supplied by Captain Woodhouse, of the Nisero u When the Nisero stranded off Acheen (in Sumatra), which was occasioned by a cyclone, I ordsred the crow to go on shore, but as soon as we landed the Rajah of Teiiom, Ida Meodo, with his officers*, came upon us and made us captives. We were subject to the most hmuilating. treatment, and had nothing given to ns to eat but dried rice twice a day ■, and by the Rajah’s orders we were sent into the interior daily from 10 o’clock in the morning to half-past nine at night, sometimes up to our neck in water and under a burning sun, with only a small cap on our heads to protect

u* from the heat W« w?re closely guarded on our nirival at x--'-ni, our huts being surrounded 1 j a high enclosure. 1 frequently, during my time of imprisonment, had interviews with the Rajah, who told me about his grievances with the Dutch people. He insisted on us agreeing to his terms, and said if he did not obtain th«m he would speedily sacrifice our lives. Our sufferings were terrible, and our suspense of mind awful, as we expected each day to be murdered. After being in captivity for 31 days, and receiving no reply to the letter which 1 sent to the Dutch Consul, I requested the Rajah to allow me to go ou board the Dutch man-of-war, which was waiting for the Rajah of Regus, who was friendly with us, to embark, in order that I might thoroughly explain our situation and all the circumstances of the case, and, if possible, arrive at a satisfactory agreement so that we might bo liberated. This the Rajah refused to allow me to do; but after persistently urging the matter he consented, telling me at the same time that he should expoct me back again, and that he should retain the crew until the terms were agreed upon. 1 proceeded to the man-of-war, in order to have an interview, with Consul Kennedy. I told the terms of our release, which were a ransom of SOOOdols and a guarantee that he (the Rajah) should go unpunished. I was told that it was impossible to grant this, and that no such guarantee could bo given on behalf of England. I then asked permission to return to the captive men, stating that I had pledged,my word to go back, and I could not entertain the idea of abandoning the crew in their distress. I was told they did not intend to allow me to return to captivity, but I must remain for the present with them, and although I protested strongly against this arrangement, I was not not listened to. I then proceeded to Regus, where Her Majesty’s ship Pegasus was lying, having been ordered there to attempt our rescue, and on which I subsequently embarked. 1 greatly appreciated the kindness shown me by Captain Bickford and the officers of the Pegasus, who paid me groat attention. We afterwards saw the Governor of Acheen, but he declined to co-operate with ns. Negotiations were then entered into with the Rajah of Tenom, and Captain Bickford sent him a present, together with a letter respecting the crew of the Nisero. The Rajah received the present and letter, but did not acknowledge the former in any way. He merely wrote to the Consul to say that the terms of release would be the same as before. Irritated by the answer, Captain Bickford at once decided to land an armed force in the morning, and endeavor to rescue the captives. Accordingly 100 men weie ordered to proceed on shore, whilst! was to pilot them. Unfortunately, the boats which was sent to-sound the bar was capsized, the sea being very heavy at the time, and two of its occupants were drowned. Captain Bickford than decided not to proceed wth the expedition and we returned to Acheen, where it was subsequently decided that if a satisfactory reply to our letters were not received by January 4th, an expedition should be sent, consisting of 1200 men, who would embark m five Dutch men-of-war, two merchant transport vessels, and Her Majesty’s ship Pegasus. In the meantime we sent another letter by the Rajah of Regus to the Rejah of Tenom, stating that we would give 100,000ddl« if he would deliver up his prisoners, but, on his refusing, we should force him to yield. He replied that he would not give up the crew, and was prepared to meet us when we came on shore. We then sent him another letter, but no reply was vouchsafed, and Captain Bickford ordered Tenom to be bombarded. This was done, and troops were landed. The Rajah’s forces wore awaiting us, and a sharp fight took place, in which a number of Dutch soldiers and officers were killed ; but the Kajab was in the end overcome, and retreated into the interior, where the prisoners were incarcerated. A despatch was immediately sent to Captain Bickford, whe was with Her Majesty’s ship Pegasus, announcing the success of the expedition, and he lowered a boat in order to ascertain its authenticity, thinking, of course, that the release of the prisoners had been effected. On arrival, however, he was told that they had not been secured, and that the Rajah had taken them with him into the interior. The Dutch troops then embarked and

proceeded to Acheeu, nothing further being done to rescue the prisoners. I remained at Acheen for six weeks, doing my utmost to accomplish thair liberation ; but Captain Bickford informed me that I could do nothing more at preaeut, and it waa useless to stay any longer there, as everything would be done by the British Government to release the men 5 and on his recommendation I came to England, where 1 have been exerting myself on behalf of the captives. I could mention numberless cruelties.and wrongs to which we have been subjected, and to which the unfortunate meu are still subjected, the climate intensifying their sufferings, and it is a wonderful thing that none of the crew have succumbed to the evils of their condition. As to the quite certain the release o| the pieu will never be effected unless the Kajah obtains ail that ho mentions in bis terpas ; but in the meantime the crew age enduring the greatest privations and sufferings, and the matter should therefore be hastened towards settlement as soon as possible.