THE MURILLO AND NORTHFLEET

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 327, 4 February 1874, Page 3

THE MURILLO AND NORTHFLEET

On November 4th, was heard at the Court of Admiralty the case of the Murillo. The owners were not represented. Two actions had been brought for £24,000 by the owners of the Northfleet and the owners of the cargo in the same for the loss of both by the collision which hapjjened in January last, when nearly 300 persons were drowned, and the steamer which caused the frightful catastrophe escaped. The Murillo had recently returned from Spain to England, and was arrested by Mr. E. Jones, the Marshal of the Court, for £24,000, and vras now in the "West India Dooks in his custody. Mr. Butt, Q.C., anl Mr/Walter Phillimore appeared for the plaintiffs, and prayed for a decree for the sale of the vessel. No appearance had been entered to the case, and perhaps the condemnation of the conduct of the parties on board was sufficiently stated in the affidavits. The learned counsel proceeded to read the affidavits of Mr. Bell, who was on board the Murillo, and he described the collision. He heard the cries for help from the women and others onboard the Northfleet. The Spanish vessel got clear away. Sir R. Phillimore said the only question in the case was one of identity , and he thought it was clearly proved. Mr. Butt said the question of identify was, indeed, the only one, and was clearly proved. He had therefore to ask his Lordship for a decree to sell the vessel, and for a reference to the registrar and merchants as to the damage sustained. His Xiordsliip gave the following judgment: — I grant the prayer of the motion, but I do not think I ought to content myself with the mere part of my judicial duty. I find it difficult to express in adequate terms the indignation which the brutality and meanness of conduct against those who had the charge of the Murillo must excite in the bosom of every man not void of the ordinary feelings of humanity. This case, indeed, represents all the cruelty without any of the courage of the pirate. A murmur of approbation ran through all who heard the remarks of the learned Judge. Mr. Jones, the Marshal, will now proceed to sell tho Murillo.