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1 correction by simonsays - Show corrections

PIRACY.

Our readers are aware that the schoo- ner Caledonia, from this port, was cap- tured in December last, by prisoners at Moreton Bay, and had not been heard of for a considerable length of time. The vessel was carried to the Navigator's Is- lands, where the commander, Mr. Brown- ing, succeeded in effecting his escape from the pirates, and has arrived at Syd-

ney by the American whaler Milo: The following is Mr. B.'s narrative of the piracy :-The schooner Caledonia of Syd- ney, on a voyage to Loo Island, for the purpose of procuring what was saved of the wreck of the ship America, purchased by the owner of the Caledonia, had occa- sion to put into Moreton Bay. About 36 hours after, at night, the schooner was boarded by 11 armed men, who im- mediately took possession of her, obli- ging the master to deliver up the whole of the arms he had on board, consisting of two muskets and two pistols. The master and part of the crew were then   called on deck, and compelled to assist in getting the vessel under weigh ; after which the whole of the crew, with the exception of the master, were sent on shore in the pilot-boat, in which the pirates had come off. So well did the fellows lay their plans, that the watch on deck did not suspect anything till they were in the act of jumping ou board. The crew,   when they got ashore, of course gave the alarm, and two boats immediately put off in chase of the schooner, but were unable to come up with her. The master, having made several vain at- tempts to leave the vessel with the rest of the crew, was obliged to assist in navigating her, under a threat of having his brains blown out in case of a refusal. Accordingly, under the direction of the pirates, he shaped his course for the Island of Rotumah, they assuring him that he should sustain no injury if he did not deceive them, but that upon the least appearance on his part of an attempt to betray them, he should instantly suffer death. The duties of first and second mate were discharged by two of the pi- rates, named Evans and Hastings. About a week after leaving Moreton Bay, the master was ordered by these two men and another named William Smith, to go aft and take the helm, when a man called John M'Donald, one of the pirates, was called up, and immediately shot through the head by Evans. Another of the party, named William Vaughan, was then called up, fired at, and wounded by Hastings, and was then, after consi- derable struggling on his part, thrown overboard by the three principal actors in this bloody scene -namely Smith, Evans, and Hastings. Another of the party, named Connor, was next called up, and compelled to jump overboard ; and a man named John Smith, who was intended to share the same fate, was only spared after the most earnest entreaty. Nothing particular occurred after this until the vessel made New Caledonia, for the purpose of procuring water. There she put into Port St. Vincent, and filled up the casks. The day before she again put to sea, Evans and Smith quar- relled with Hastings about some grog, in consequence of which, it was agreed that Hastings should be left behind, and he was accordingly put onshore. The ves- sel, in due course, made Rotumah, one of the New Hebrides; nothing particu- lar happening in the mean time, except a repetition by Evans of the threat that the master should suffer instant death if

he showed the least sign of an intention to betray them. At Rotumah a friendly chief, named Emery, came on board, but Mr. Browning was so narrowly watched, that it was impossible to com-

municate to him the circumstances under

which he was placed. One of the party, called Harry, ran from the boat, and remained at Rolumah. After taking in two casks of water, the master was di- rected to make for Wallis's Island, where he was told it was the intention of the pirates to land in the whale boat, and send him back in the vessel, toge- ther with, three Rotumah women, who had accompanied the party from that island : he was, however, subsequently informed by three of the men, that it was the intention of Evans to scuttle the schooner with him and the women on

board. Two of the party, named Wat- son and Hogg, who, with John Smith, had behaved kindly to the master, de- clared to him their suspicions that it was

the intention of Evans and others on board, to shoot them. The vessel missed Wallis's Island, but made Footona, where some pigs and fruit were procured from the natives. On the 20th of Feb. she made Davi, where John Smith was landed, together with the three Rotumah women. Watson and Hogg also, acting under the dread of personal violence from Evans and the rest, got into a canoe, went on shore, and remained behind :

the master, however, was Still so closely   watchced, that an attempt at escape was impossible. The vessel then stood out

to sea. Evans told the master that she

was to be scuttled, and he expected no- thing else but to go to the bottom with her. When about 15 miles off the land, how- ever, the master was called by the pirates to assist in packing up some things to put into the boat; and about 12 o'clock on the following day the vessel was scuttled, and the whole party got into the boat, and stood in for Toofoa, where Mr. Browning, and a man named Thomas Massey were taken by one chief, and Evans and Smith by another. The day after landing on this island, the other three men came down with a body of natives, and took away the boat. They also told Mr. Browning that he was in danger of his life, and wished him to go with them ; but, being in possession of a musket, he declined doing so, express- ing his intention, at the same time, to leave the island by the first vessel that touched there. After Mr. Browning had been on the island for eight days the barque Oldham came into the offing, and he went on board in a canoe. He there learnt that a report prevailed of the Caledonia having foundered at sea. Mr. Browning was asked on board the Oldham, who was the master of the Caledonia. He, of course, stated that he was ; but upon the chief officer and some of the crew proceeding on shore, the pirate, Evans, told them he was the master. A suspicion, in conse- quence, arose, and an enquiry having been made among the natives, by means of an interpreter, Evans was immediately secured and put in irons. The other three men could not be discovered, be- ing, doubtless, concealed by the natives ; but the boat which they took away was found at the place to which Mr. Brown- ing learnt it had been taken. Such is this gentleman's narrative of as an atro- cious an act of piracy, accompanied by deliberate murder, as is to be found upon record. It is to be hoped that the re-   mainder of the wretches who were en- gaged in it will yet be discovered by ves- sels trading among those islands pointed out by Mr. Browning.

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