The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-20 00:00:00

BRITISH ARMY WORKS CORPS.

TUNIS, Nov. s.—On the 27th ultimo two steamers
entered the port of Tunis, one bringing 350 pilgrims
returning from Mecca ; the mission of the other was
for some time shrouded in mystery. But on the
following day it was universally rumoured that it was
the Azof, screw steamer, with a number of men be-
longing to the British Army Works Corps, who were in
a state of mutiny. On the 29th the news was confirmed
by letters which reached Tunis, according to white:
it appeared that, early on the morning of the 27
e,.
the Azoff struck on a shoal somewhere in the vicinity ,
the Skerki, and sprung a leak, but as she is built inone
sepa-
rate compartments the leakage was confined to
only. The captain, however, saw the necessity
with
en-
tering the Bay of Tunis, with a view to
thea
vessel had
of
greater accuracy the amount of danaage_
of her safe condi-
sustained. Having convinced himself Malta, against
tion, he prepared for his departure forebeeding the ship
which, however, his passengers (a P
was unsafe) protested, declaring
d attempt to get up the
that they
would throw
overboard the first who u.
the British Consulate. Mr.
steam or to weigh anchor.wo As all remonstrance proved
fruitless, he had recourse toousei,
accompanied by Mr.
Ferriere, the British
Stevens, the chancellor,P.alconcedperteecremeidneeddtotothaedGheorleetttao,
and found the men obstinately The consul, having examined the ship,
their resolution.
naturally kind and gentle mamner to
endeavoured in
malcontents the folly of the course they
point out tod thaenhdis
advised them to act as true Britons
had adoetes,
glorious enterprise, and to proceed quietly
engaged in - a stain upon the name of " English-
man" behind ti
without leaving
them. He moreover told them as they couldnot be allowed to go at large in case they abandoned the
ship they would have to submit to a most wretched
confinement. But perceiving that his efforts would prove
ineffectual, and knowing the importance of these men
reaching the seat of war, he at once adopted a different
course. He asked the men who were unwilling to pro-
ceed in the steamer to assemble in one part of the vessel,
which was readily done, and these amounted to 172,
leaving 143 who were willing to remain on board. He
then despatched Mr. Stevens, who, by dint of great
exertion and perseverance, succeeded in chartering a
schooner for Malta for 1251. On the 30th the schooner
received its portion of passengers, and the two vessels
proceeded eastward. As the consular boat separatea
from them, the men of both vessels gave three hearty
cheers for the consul, and a fourth for our brave allies,
the French.
It will be readily seen that much credit is due to
pMarr.
.
Ferriere for his prompt and conciliatory proceedings,
ticuhrly as there were parties who urgedthe necessity
of employing force in order to subduethe discontentedny
doubtedl
portion of the men. Such an act would
undoubtedly
have terminated fatally to So At a time when there
terribleaine to
war G i
c - ,
is often so much good causefomre. metingtheout
bl
verumeut officials connected with
which we are engaged, it is a_pl.e?.s.ure to render praise
If the pritish residents of Timis
where praise is due. _ _ .