The Express.
London, England, 1855-02-13 00:00:00

DESERTION FROM THE TRANSPORT

SERVICE.

For the Lit few days some interest has been felt
at Sonthanapton and other porta in a cue before the mega.
trates, connected with the late desertion from the menw
transport steam•ship Mauritius, at Portsmouth. The fetes
it will be remembered, are these :—Tbe Mauritius arrived
at Portsmouth a few days since with a cargo of invalided
troops from the Black Sea. She first touched at Southamp-
ton, returned to Portsmouth, and was from thence ordered
to proceed to Chatham, to land her soldiers. Upon the Grew
getting information of the last order, a mutiny commenced
on board. The majority of the crew refused to proceed
further in the vessel, and finally doweled her, before even
properly mooring her. In consequence of their getting
away, it became impossible for Captain Stewart, in eon-
wad of the Mauritius, to have them at the moment taken
into custody; sad apes application, on Thursday morning
last, by Captain Bhuttlaworth, one of the directors of the
Omni Screw Company, owners of the Mauritius, warreate
were issued against several of the men, who, as Captain
Shuttleworth said, had signed articles to go to say port is
Bpglaed, France, or the Mailman's.' and Black Sees, in
theormesel, for • woe not exeseding twelve months. The
defence set up for the alleged desertion was, that the arrival
of the ship at any/rook England—according to the stated
anfierstandteg of the men when they signed articles—was a
Lot which gave them full power either to continue in ox
leave the ship, u they thought proper.
Yesterday (Mendel) merniog the ease ease on for bear-
ing, Ma. Pose* the solicitor for the defendants, 'aiming
the ateeedenee of the shipping muter (Mr. Sparrow, late
oemptroller of thi' auto* at Suuthanipton), as attesting
*items to tbelfgattulte of the mm to the artielse—a witness
wtoes he elniderithgally taseatial to the proving of the
ewe fee the Females.
Mr; Gentwell, ea behalf of the General Screw Company,
argued egoism. the necessity of the production of this wit-
ness, an finally admitted his inability to produce him, bat
thought the production of a witness to prove the signature
eau shipping feaster suffident.
Mr. Peewit then entered into a long explanation of the
methods adopted ha the securing of men to serve on board
tall. it Southampton. Re understood that the collector
of as shipping master, received an additional
ielh When the signatures of seamen, and previous to
so, Ile property sad clearly explain to them the nature
end pupa of what they were signing, and the liabilities
to weak they rendered themselves in consequence of the
sea-perfornmanere of their contract. In the cabs of the Mas-
ada this duty had been totally neglested. Re contended
Met ships' steak,* were private documents, and not pablie
saes, as endeavoured to be shown by the solicitor fur the
preeeention. Then wee a provision to meet the case in
new amuse in 17th sad 18th Viet., c. 104, it it did not
some into operation until Ms; next; and if Bee present ant
was suMeiently atelagest in the matter, there would be no
neeseelty for the sedition of this fresh clause.
After sea additional remarks on both sides, the astir
tutu afijulisated with closed doors; and after shoat Ivo
sautes had elapsed, a wish was expressed by Use solicitors
that the neepistratee should withhold their decision, se as
atraegeone bed been entered into to withdraw the prose-
duties. se the ems had agreed to septets their contrition
for their. wade&

The diflootties, therefore, which were considered to
*Kist reGreaos to the Mercantil* Marine ties sad tho
desertion of semen remain an open question of dispute.
Gad 'Wait was hoped this inquiry would have settled•

THE DOCK COMPANIES' Ai

'UTATION