HORRIBLE TRAGEDY AT SEA

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2423, 21 January 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY AT SEA

The Danish steamer Morso arrived at flopeuhasren on Oolober 1 -Ith, having in tow tlic Russian .schooner Johannes, which has been the soeuo of n most horrible tragedy. The Morso, steaming westward in the Hallic Sen, sighted tho Russiau vessel, which was Hying signals of distress. She :it once bore down upon the Johannes, but as she approached, it appeared to those on deck that the schooner was deserted ; no one could be seen, and when the Morso's crew hailed there was no sound in reply from the vessel. The Danish captiiiu then ordered a beat to be lowered, and its crew pulled for the Johannes and boarded her. All was still on board, nafc a soul was to bo seen. Before long, however, a man was found lying badly wounded aud unconscious in an obscure position, and it was discovered that he was the mate of the vessel. On further search a sailor was found securely tied with ropes hand and foot, He appeared wild and m> vage in his manner, and was consequently kept under restraint. Restoratives were given to the mate, and on his recovery ho told a strange and terrible story. A day or twq before the seaman, then tied with ropes, had, in a fit of frenzy, run amuck amongst the crew, and had slain right and left. The captain and five men, composing the crew, had fallen victims to his sudden attack, and having all been butchered by the maniac, their bodies were thrown overboard by him. The mate, more fortunate than his comrades, had succeeded in overpoweriug his assailant, with whom ho had a terrible struggle, sustaining serious wounds. The Morso's crew, on hearing the story kept the murderer in close custody, and. brought the Russian vessel cm to Copenhagen.