Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-11-04
From the London papers 70 The 18th uh.
by The Colossus.
DESPER ATE ATTEMPT BY. THE
PEI NV Isl ANDERC

DESPER ATE ATTEMPT BY, HE
PELEW ISLANDERS.
The Syren, South sea whaIer, Captain
Frederick Coffin, arrived on Thursday
evening last, at Deptford, after voyage
OF 25 months, having LETT Gravesend, Aug.
g, 1929. She was originally built as
pleasure yacht, by the command OF Bona
parte, and has had great success, having
returned with three hundred and twenty
tons Of oil. During the passage out, on
Easter Monday, March 81, 1923, while
off the southermost of the Pelew Islands,
under lively breeze, several large sail
ing canoes appeared in sight, which in
creased in number to near 80, each bav.
ing from six TO ten on board, upon which
the Syren slackened sail and on approach
ing many of the natives called out. as thro'
motives ofinquiry. Eng ish? Engish? and
being answered in the affirmative, they
came alongside, and with Iolerably cor
rect pronunciation, repeated, Give US
rope, this was complied with. From the
generally reported mild and pacific de-
meanor of these people, who to the num-
Der OF about one hundred, quickly crowd.
ed the deck, CIviIlties were exchanged in
apparently the most friendly manner, and
as they brought few provisions with them,
and no articles o: curiosity, the crew COM
menced barlering for their spears. with
which they were armed, and with which
they seemed 10 part reluctantly. At this
time the vessel continued under easy sail,
the canoes closely accompanied them, to
their companions, ia which those on board
seemed I'D no degree anxious 10 return -
The mate, who felt little distrust from
their superiority 10 number, The crew be-
ing only tbifty-seveD, communicated his
opinion to the captain, who instantly coin
cided, and gave orders to crowd more
sail, thinking it would induce them to de-
part. This appeared TO occasion some
little dislike, and in few minutes after,
while Captain Cofhn was in boat lashed
to the side, giving orders to that effect,
two OF the natives al preconC0rted signal,
it is supposed, suddenly siezed him, and
endeavored to throw him into the sea,
while general attack was commenced on
the rest Of the crew. The Captain disen-
gagged himself, succeeded in gaining the
deck, and calling aloud that heir lives and
the safety of the ship depended on despe,
rate Sighting, fierce engagement ensued.
Those OF the natives VINO in ,laIhc had
parted with their spears, were assisted
with others from the canoes. or ayailIng
themselves of Tie barpoons, which with
great dexlerily they broke TO suitable
length, while others gaining the whaling
spades, used in digging into the fish when
caught, continued a most furious attack;
Notwithstanding the disparity, the crew
succeeded in driving them TO the stem of
the vessel, where they leaped overheard
and regsined their canoes. 1t is worthy
of remark, that when any of the natives
were wounded, or stunned by being knock
ed down, they were instantly thrown by
their comrades into the sea, where they
either swan or were picked up by their
companions. VINO frequently attempted 10
accompany them TO retnra. but were al
ways repulsed in endeavorng to get up
the sides, and Throughout: encouraged them
by loud cheering. On their quitting the
SyreD, the crew commenced firing, and
though greatly exhausted, having ready
supply OF ammunition, II was kept up
while within musket shot, but with what
effect is not known, as several they sup
posed killed, from their falling into the
water, were seen to rise and regain their
canoes; nearly the whole of the ships
company were wounded severely in this
attack; the effects OF which notwllhstand-
ing the unremitted exsrllons and skill of