STRUNG UP BY THE WRISTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1249, 9 December 1882, Page 2

STRUNG UP BY THE WRISTS.

SUFFERINGS OF A SAILOR,

The JSew York Sun states that John .Owene, a seamm on the ship Phirda, irai arrested by the Hoboken police oa a complaint of John G, Graham, captain of the vessel, who charged him with stabbing him in the face with a sheath-knife. The complainant appeared before Recorder McDonough with a ghastly wound extending from hit foreheao/lo his ohin.' The prisoner admitted the stabbing, but claimed it was done in self defence. He said the Phirda, sailed from France on

September 4th for New York. A majority'} of the orew of (waive men were Russians

who were unable to understand the prdersr, K»von them. " This seemed to anger W, - captain," laid Owens," and he picked me ■,, out to vent hitypiteupon. I was worked liked a dog and was abused without thi least cause. During a stiff gale of wind on the night of Septemuer 19th, I wu sent aloft to shift (he Royal braces. I did not work fast enough to suit the captain, and be pulled rue out of ilm riggiiiß and itruck me. The mate came up alio and kicked L.e several : timet. I broke away from them and ran into the forecastle, but I was chased out. The eaptain then felled me to my knees with a slue shot, and the mate commenced to hammer me with .a belay-,., ing pin. I called to the crew to help me ( > as I saw the captain was drunk, auu* I did not want to be killed. None of thorn came, ai they were all afraid. I then drew uty knife, and made three cute at the mate, but did not reach him. I wish I had Teached him, as he waa almoßt sober at the time, I then turned on the captain and gave him a cut on the face. The mate cried. They both left me then and went into the cabin, while I hid in the fore- • castle. I picked up an empty bottle when I hoard them coming again, and ■' resolved to sell my life as dearly w pns- ■" nble, hut threw down my woßpon when I was ordered, as I saw both were armed "•' with revolvers. After I had done »o the. captain Gred at me, The ball passed passed between my arm and body. I was then put in irons, and 1 got the worst'.,, bea'im! I evor received. I prayed ihat my arms might be freed. 1 waß then strum; up by the wrists so that my feet barely touohed the deck, and left in that position for twelve hours, during which time I recoived only a drink of water and a Email biscuit. When I was released I could, scarcely move my arms, and I do not believe I could have lifted twenty pounds, I waV next fastened to the sido of the vessel in such a way that I could neither sit orect nor lie down, and kept there on short ratioiJß for seven days, On the seventh day one of the crew, who had been terribly abused, died. His body was thrown overboard without any ceremony. This left the .vessel short-handed, and I • - was reloased and set at work. When'we'' ' arrived off Sandy Hook I was agaiu handcuffed and confined until I was handed over to the police. The irons on my wristi tore offjbig pieci'S of flesh, as can be seen by the wounds." The body of Oweni is covered with braises. He, was attended by a physician, who says that he has been terribly dealt with. Au investigation will be made, Owens was sent to Ludlow-street gaol, Proceedings in extradition have been begun to take'.. him to England for trial, the Fhirda being a British ihip,