FEARFUL SCENE ON BOARD A SHIP AT MADRAS.

West Coast Times, Issue 177, 13 April 1866, Page 2

FEARFUL SCENE ON BOARD A SHIP AT MADRAS.

Captain Breary, of the Bhip York, in a letter dated Madras, Soptember 6, furnishes tho following report : — Wo had a fearful tragedy in tbo Roads, on Sunday lost. About 9.30 a.m., I was in my cabin, and heard shouts and screams of alarm from some ship. I rushed on deck, and on looking at tho country ship Harriet, from, whence tho cries of murder arose; , t b»\t fho ojw ver the side, oonio on

tho back ropes and martingale, somo on tho foreynrd. Sho was lying between us and tho Barham. I sang out to man tho boats and put up cutlasses. The gig and jollybont woro loworcd, Mr Bate and his crow getting into tho boat, I into tho gig 5 but boforo lio was halfway up tho Harriot's gangway-ladder, ho and Kinsman woro met by a Malay, with a knifo in each hand. Kinsman, lam sorry to say, received two ugly cuts on his right arm, abovo and bolow tho elbow. Mr Bates saved himsolf from tho thrusts by lotting go and falling ovorboard, and as I got alongside I picked him up. Ho could not swim. Four mcv from tho Harriott — a Malay, tho steward, cook, carpenter and part owner, all let go thoir hold and swam off to tho gig, which was in daugorof being swamped. Tho Malay — an ugly-looking follow with|aknifo was mado to swim off to a log ; but the others wo took in, and then put thorn into tho jollyboat. I then obsorvod upon tho houso amidships Captain Way, of tho Barham, an oflicor, and another man, who had got on board by tho othor side of tho ship. Tho Malay went from tho gangway towards thorn with v knifo in each hand, but thoy succeeded in securing tho follow— not, howovor, boforo Captain Way was stabbed in tho thigh, though not seriously. I got on board by the fororigging, with my cutlass in hand, but too lato, for they had by this Imio got him ssourcd. Ho closed with Captain* Way and his officer, whon T boliovo tho boatswain struck liim down with a billet of wood. As wo did not know how many more thero might bo like him, wo had to bo orreful in our movements about Iho docks. Close to tho csibin-compimion the poor captain lay dead, with his bowels protruding. It appears, so far as the ovidonco has gono that Captain Gourlarle, a uativo of tho Island of Floros, wanted an anchor run out, but this man refusing, tho captain gave him a push, when he drow his knife, stabbed tho captain, aimed tho next blow at the male, who, by a suddou movement of his body, received tho blow on his arm instead of his heart. Tho captain cried out, " Hail tho York 3 jump aloft, or you will bo sorved Iho same way." Tho mate sang out, and thon wont to the foro-yard. Tho follow followed him, but seeing our boats ho camo down to recoivo us. Tho mate sung out ho wus lying in wait for us, but no 0110 heard him. Tho mate thon camo down tho forobraees and fell into tho water, for tho Barham's boat to tako him up, aud ho is now in tho hospital with Kinsman. Tho Malay wus seen to cut tho throat of tho tindal and throw'hini ovorboard, and he nearly killed tho serang, who has six fearful wounds. Tho caso is still going on at tho Polico Court, and tho next mail you will havo further particulars. Kinsman will be disabled for a long timo. Mr Bate is still vory weak, and his eyesight not quite recovered. Tho London Shipping and Mercantile Gazette adds : — Tho midshipman, Mr Kins* man, referred to in tho foregoing, is a native of Manchester, ami boii of tbo late Mr J. K. B. P. Kinsman, of tho Branch Bank of England.