The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-05 00:00:00

LOSS OF A. WHALING SHIP.

MASSACRE OF HER CREW.
For several months'anxiety has been felt regarding
the fate of a whaling' ship, named the Cape Packet,
Captain Powell, last from Sydney, and twenty. eight sea-
men, her crew. We regret to state that information has
now been received from Sydney that the unfortunate
vessel (which has been missing two years) had fallen
into the hands of the natives of the New Hebrides,
Sandwich Islands, and those belonging to her, excepting
four hands, savagely murdered. The particulars have
been reported by Captain Jones, of the barque Elizabeth,
which arrived at Sydney from the New Hebrides, on the
9th of June, having had a narrow escape of meeting a
similar fate. The Elizabeth, it appeared, touched at the
Sandwich Islands, the master intending to procure some
sandal-wood, vegetables, &c., and finding the natives to
all appearance friendly, cast anchor close to land.
Several natives were allowed to remain all night on
board. Among them was a New Zealander, who was
recognise& by one of the Elizabeth crew, as one of the
party who sailed in the unfot tunate whaler. The pilot
taxed him with it, and after a deal of hesitation, he ad-
mitted the truth of the asset tion. The account he give s
of the affair (being able to speak English fluently),
is, that two or three days after the vessel's arrival,
three boats were sent off to the shore for water, and
whila the, crew were so employed, the natives attacked
them, and every one of them were killed. The canoes
then pushed off fo the ship, on board of which were
Captain Powell, ten English, and four colour, d men.
They were permitted to came upon deck, Captain Powell
being unconscious of the fato of those whom he had sent
..shore. For a few minutes they behaved themselves in
their usual friendly manner; having surrounded their
victims, the signal was given, and the slaughter cot:ti-
me:l:ed. The attack was so sudden, that not the least
resistance could be made ; the captain, with the whole
of the crew, were killed, The four coloured men were
not molested. The bodies of the murdered crew were
taken ashore and dlevoured. The ship was then ran-
sacked and pillaged of everything of value. She had
700 barrels of sperm oil on board, but the casks were
broken up for the purpose of getting the iron hoop ; and
after stripping the ship, securing the fire-arms, powder,
&c., she was set on fire and totally consumed. Three of
the men whose lives had been spared by the natives bad
managed to escape from the island in a canoe, and had
been taken an board by a French vessel. The native of
New Zealand was brought in by the Elizabeth. Captain
Jones, of the latter, is of opinion that an attempt would
have been made to have taken his ship but for the
timely notice given by the survivor of the Cape Packet.
The natives had made every preparation, and were ob-
served leaving a creek in their canoes, when the ship
had weighed anchor and was putting out to sea. The
Cape Packet it is said was a vessel barque-rigged, 300
tons lurthen. With her contents her loss is estimated
at between 18,000/. and 20,000/.

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY,

EXETER HALL

The first meeting for the season of the Sacred Har-
monic Society took place last evening. The first part
of the performance consisted of a miscellaneous
selection of sacred music ; the second, of Sphor's
magnificent overture, The Last Judgment. In the
first part we had a Te Deum and a Jubilate, the compo-
sition of His Royal Highness Prince Albert, which
prove that His Royal Highness is an excellent and
sound musician. The choral writing in these
compositions is very fine, and the voices
blend together most effectively.- Miss Dolby's
execution of " Clouds o'ertake," from Handel's now
almost forgotten oratorio of Susannah, was the vocal gem
of the first part. The Last Judgment of Sphor is now,
thanks to the exertions of the Sacred Harmonic
Society, as familiar to the lover of sacred music
as the Messiah of Handel. It was admirably given last
evening by Misses Birch and Dolby, and Messrs. Hobbs
and Phillipps. The duet "Forsake me not" was ex-
quisitely given by Miss Birch and Mr. Hobbs. The
hall was crowded in every part.

LYCEUM THEATRE.—MR. H.KEELEY'S BENEFIT.—
The performances at the Lyceum, this evening, are for the
benefit of Mr. H. R. Keeley, who has the superintendence
of the free list department, and to whose uniform atten-
tion and civility we, in common with all our brethren of
the press, are much indebted. The bill of fare is ex-
cellent, and Airs. Harris will be there to drive away the
blue devils. We anticipate a bumper house.
EXTENSION OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH TO THE
ROYAL ExcHaNGE.—The Eastern Counties have, we
understand, intimated their intention of carrying out an
important extension of their electric telegraph to the
Royal Exchange and Lloyd's, for the accommodation of
the merchants and underwriters, by which an instan-
taneous communication will be obtained with Liverpool.
The company's engineers are now engaged completing
the electric wires along the Eastern Counties branch
lines, from Ely, Peterborough, Stamford, Syston, to
Derby; hence along the present Derby, Birmingham,
and Manchester lines to Liverpool. The wires will be
conducted to the Royal Exchange from the Shoreditch
station in lead and iron piping, similar to the present
gas pipes, proofing posts being erected at certain dis-
tances, in order to keep the wires in proper working
condition.

BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY:" As a repertory of
original and diversified fiction this Miscellany has
long stood at the head of its competitors. The number
of first-rate writers who regularly contribute to it is sur-
prisingly large, and the selection of alternate gaieties
and gravities made, is deserving of general encomium.
To the new number just published a star of the first
magnitude is added to the galaxy of poets, wits, and
romancers who have hitherto shed their lights on
Bentley's pages. In addition to Maxwell, Albert Smith,
W. Jordan, Miss Costellc, Alfred Crowquill,' Dr. W. C.
Taylor, Henry Curling, and other luminarie's, one has
come from the Far %Vest, whose lustre is surpassing, and
whose fame is universal. J. Fennimore Cooper, he who
has witched the world, old and new, with those un-
equalled sea stcries, "The Pilot," "Red Rover," " The
Two Admirals," "Le Feu Follet," &c., has devoted
himself to the readers of the Miscellany, and hencefor-
ward they will be duly favoured with the coruscations of
his genius. "Captain Spike ; or, the Islets of the Gulf,"
is the new romance begun by this eminent writer.
Judging from the chapter given in the November num-
ber, we dare promise that its development will be ex-
citing, its story interesting, and its details instinct with
life and reality. We have already made the acquaint-
ance of Spike himself, Captain of the brigantine Molly
Swash, of his crew, and of a couple of those necessary
agents in all adventures on shore or at sea, petticoats,
one bearing the floricultural name of Rose Budd.
Having seen the ladies on board, we behold the clipper-
looking craft bear away from a wharf of the renowned
Yankee city of Manhattan, with tke intent of going
through Hell-gate, and, as the devil would have it, we
see her miss her mark, and go right bang on the Pot-
Rock. The position and movements of the vessel,
her captain and her crew, are described with extraordi-
nary graphic power and nautical knowledge."—Morning
Post.

MELANCHOLY REVERSE OF FORTUNE.—Yesterday
evening, Mr. Baker held an inquest at the Olive Branch,
Hackney road, on the body of Mr. Edward Chapman,
aged 70, formerly a licensed victualler, residing in
Slater-street, Bethnal-green. About four months ago,
deceased, who kept the Sun, Slater-street, for many
years, was obliged to enter the workhouse. He was
there put to the labour of the pump, of which he com-
plained, as he thought that atter having been a rate
payer many years, he ought to have been differently
treated. Two months subsequently he left, and went to
work for his daughter, at No. 13, Old Bethnal Green-
road. He was unable to earn but about 6s. a week, and
was occasionally in want of necessaries, having no paro-
chial relief. On Monday evening last, while in bed, he
suddenly died, death being the effect of the ossification of
the aorta. Verdict—" Natural death."

A case of considerable importance, it will be recol-
lected, occupied the notice of the Court of Aldermen a
few weeks back, in the charge brought against Messrs.
Rochas and Co., of serious irregularities in their busi
nese as brokers of the city of London. Their transac-
tions referring to the purchase and sale of railway secu-
rities, the committee of the Stock-Exchange have taken
up the subject, and are about to institute a rigid investi-
gation into the nature of the complaint. At a meeting
of the committee to-day the subjoined resolution con-
nected with the inquiry was passed:—" The committee
having met to investigate the charge of improper dealing
on the part of Messrs. Rochas and Son, Mr. Rochas,
jun., attended, and stated his willingness to enter into a
full explanation of the case recently brought before the
Court of Aldermen, but having also stated that it was
his wish that such explanation should be postponed until
his father, who is now on the continent, could be present
Resolved, That the investigation be postponed until
the return of Mr. Rochas, sen., from the continent.' "

DARING ROBBERIES.—On Wednesday information
of the following robberies was circulated throughout
the police divisions:—Stolen or lost from the coat pocket
of Mr. Henry Aldhouse, of No. 38, Mary-street, Kings-
land-road, Shoreditch, a pocket-book, containing two
Bank of England notes for 1001. each, two of 501. each,
100/. in smaller Bank of England notes, and 470/. iu
Ipswich bank notes, of various amounts, all marked
"H. A.," in the corner; also a cheque for 301. on
Alexander's Bank. Ipswich, and a bill for 29/. on Tinney,
Clerkenwell, which was overdue. From the person of
Mr. Mount, of Picadilly, at the free list entrance of the
Adelphi Theatre, a large thin gold watch. From the
house of Mr. Brown, Belgrave House, Park-road, Peck-
ham, various articles of value and wearing apparel.
From the parlour of Mr. Littlejohn, No. 63, St. George's:
street, St. George's in the East, a valuable silver watch.
From Eton College, the property of one of the stnde nts ,
‘a‘ gFoolrdd sir
watch,sm.,, and the gold chain attached, maker's name
SUICIDE INDUCED BY INCREASE OF FAMILY.—Mr.
ehbeol ddyaonf iHn q.O
je.s t
Baatt t
etrhseb
eMe raygleedh o4n6e,
IMViolrlthyouessete,lOdnayth,
a poor shoemaker, of Walmer-place, Lisson-grove. A
cab-proprietor, named Cooper, of Princes-street, Lisson.
grove, proved finding the body on Tuesday morning in
the Regent's Canal. Deceased's wife said they had eight
children, and that at her last confinement she gave birth
to twins. This circumstance increased their difficulties
and deceased's anxieties, who was an excellent husband
and father. On Monday last he sold scme goods of a
lodger for rent due, without the assistance of a sworn
broker, and the lodger threatening legal proceedings,
deceased said on Monday night, " that what with one
trouble and another, there was enough to drive a man
to do that which he should be sorry for." The same
night he produced several accounts due to him, and gave
her instructions as to their recovery, and when she heard
of some one having been found dead in the water, it struck
her that it was her husband, and that he had destroyed
himself. Verdict—" That deceased drowned himself,
but in what state of mind there was no evidence to
show."