The central gazette. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1820-1827, 1824-11-19

DeSPeraIe attempt by ne Pn'e,c' Isl
anders.-Thr English Whale shin Sv.
rem. Capt. Frederick Coffin, recently
arrived at Deptford. from the S. Seas,
reported. that on the SYST March, 1924.
while off the southcrnmost Of the Pelew
Islands. several large ailiDr canoe,
appeared in sight which increased in
number 10 near 80, each having from e
to 40 onb board, and on approaching many
OF the natives called out as through
natives of inquiry" English Eng.
i'sh 70 and being answered in the afIir-
native. they came along side. and with
tolerahle correct pronunciation. repeat
ed. Give US rope" this was COMPLIED
with. From the generally renor,eI
mild and pacific dcmeanor of these peos
pie. who, TO the number Of about one
hundred quickly crowded the deck,
civiliiies were exchanged in apparently
the most friendly manner. and as thcy
brought few provisions with them, and
no articles of curiosity. the crew com
menced bartering for their spears, with
which they were armed. and with whicI.
they seemed TO part reluctantly, At
this time the vessel continued under ca.
sy sail. the canoes closely accompany
ing them. t" their companions, in which
those on board seemed in no degree anx-
ious TO return. The mate who felt little
disirnst from their superiority in num.
Der. the crew b~in. only thirty spvcn
communicated his opinion TO the Cnn-
tain, who instantly coincitled, ard gave
orders TO crowd more sail, thinking il
would induce them to depart. This ap-
pearcd TO occasion some little dislike,
and in few minutes after. while Cant;
Coffin was in boat dashed TO the side,
giving orders IL that effect. two Of the
natives suddenly seized him and epdea-
vonred TO throw him into the sea, willie
general attack was commenced ON the
rest Of the crew The captain Olsen
gagged himself. succeeded in raininr The
deck. and calling aloud that their ives
and the safety Of the ship depended ON
desperate fighting. y fierce cnma rcmept
ensu"d. Those Of The natives who in
traffic had parted with their spears.
were assisted with others from The ca
noes, or availing themselves Oft har-
poems, which. with great dcxicriiy rhcv
broke to suitable length. while others
gaining the whaling spades used in dir
ing into the hsb when caught. continued
most furious attack nofwi,hstandir~
the disparity. the crew succeeded in driy-
ing them 10 The stem offhe vessel, whore
they !eaped overheard and rccaincd
their canoes. II was worthy Of remark,
that when any Of The natives were
wounded. or stunned by bcine, knocked
down, they were instantly thrown bv
thcir comrades into the sea where tLov
either swan or where picked Up by tl,eir
companions, who frequently ATTEMPTED
to accompany them To return. hn, wero
always repulscd in endeavouripc. 90 90,
up The sides. and drought ercourao.
ed them by loud cheering. On their
quitting The SyrcD. the crew commerce
ed firing, and though greatly exhausted,
having ready supply Of ammunition,
IL was kept up while within muenupt
shot.but with wha, effect il is mi known,
as several they supposed killed. from
their falling into The water, were seen
TO rise and regain thcir Games near
ly the whole Of The ships company were
wounded severely in This attack: The e.
fects Of which notwithstanding the mr.
renitting eXcriions and skill Of tie sur
Seon. several will never, il is feared,
entirely recover from ard IL is TO he re-
GREETED thai the carpenter, named Joe.
CaulfcId.who fought most courag, ouslv,
lost his life bva blow from The whale
- a9e as did VIM. Warren. boat stpercr.
who wns spcarcd most dreadfuI!y tbro'
The body. Capt. Coffin and The crew
are Of opinion that Tho attack was con-
certcd and organised by Europeans or
Americans resident I'm fbP ISInnd.