Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-01
ROBBERY OF SHIP FRIENDSHIP.

fact of the robbery of the Friendship at Qualah
Battoo, by the crew of Malay pepper boat. By
profit slips from the Offices of the Salem Register
and Gazette, we learn the following particulars of
the occurrence.
On tho 7th Feb. last while the Friendship was
lying at Qualah Battoo loading, the capt. second
officer and four of the crew on shore weighing
pepper, she was risen upon by the crew of MALAY
pepper boat, who were permitted, contrary to the
regulations ofthe ship to come board, and after
killing hnr first officer MIR. Charles Knight, of Sa
lem, and two seamen, and badly wounding several
others, succeeded in cutting off the ship and plum
dering her of all the specie on board amounting
to about $4,000, and IL chests of opium, togeth-
er with all the ships papers, spare sails, rigging,
cabin furniture chronometers, nautical instruments,
books, CHARTS wearing apparel, and, in fact every
movable article of any value on board. Capt. En-
dicott, with the boats crew, shore, had narrow
escape for their lives After plundering the ship,
the Malays made many Intellectual attempts to run
her on skore, but by the prompt and timely assist
ance of the ship James Monroe, Porter, of New
York, brig Gov. Endicott, HI. H. jerks, of Salem,
and brig Palmer, Powers, of Boston, the shin was
retaken before they could accomplish their object
The particulars, taken from the Friendships log
book after the accident, arc as follows:
Monday, Feb z, at s A. NJ. the captain, se-
cond officer, and four men went on shore to weigh
pepper At 3, 80 p M. succeeded in obtaining
one boat load; her leave the bank of the river
near the scale house, with the usual compliment of
men In her, that is to say, steersman & six
men. The natives still bringing pepper to the
scales with the promise of giving us another boat
load today. The first boat was observed TO make
considerable delay in getting out of the river, and
we supposed the crew might be stealing pepper
from her and secretng it among some neiphbor-
ing high grass-two of the ships men were accord
lngly sent down to watch them, and upon their
approaching the boat five six Malays were seen
TO Jump up from the grass, and hurry board her.
J ne SHIPS people supposed them to be the boats
crew, as they had seen about the same number on;t
her previous TO their being observed by tho Malays
AZ, l TINS tune there was brig standing into Soosoo
"hiis waiting for the natives to complete other
boats load of pepper, Capt. Endicott sent to the
beach to ascertain ifthe brig approaching had hois
ted any colors, he then that the pepper boat
winch at this time was within few yards of the
SNIP had at least double the mon in her that she
mad when she left the scales-he Immediately re-
turned and inquired into this circumstance the
men VINO were sent down to watch the boat in the
river then informed, they saw her take in several
men out OF ferry boat, at the mouth of the river
but as they all appeared to be youngsters" they
ola not think the circumstance of sufficient conse
quence at the time to report it.
, our suspicious were Immediately excited that
all was not right; yet trusting they would not be
permitted to go on board it being contrary to the
established regulations of the ship in the absence of
Inc captain to admit more than two Maays on board
her at Tune, and deeming it too late render any
assistance II they were, the second officer ard two
men were sent to the beach to observe the move
nens on board, who almost instantly returned with
the information that there was trouble on board and
that men were seen jumping overheard from her
convinced from this circumstance that zoe ON shore
had no time TO lose, we immediately sprano into
the boat and pushed off. Almost instantly crowds
OF Malays began to assemble on the points of the ri;
yer, winch are about sixty yards as under brandisb
ing their weapons and otherwise menacng u.s. At
the same time he ferry boat with or 10 men in her
armed with spears and krsis pushed off to intercept
our passage OF the river but by pulling directly for
her, and presenting a Malay sword our only wen
pom, we succeeded in keeping them off When
we had cleared the river and come in full SIGHT of
eh9 SNIP we ascertained that the Malays were in
iuh possession OF her, some of them walking about
the decks, while others were making signaIs of
success to the people shore: none of the sbin,s
crew except one man aloft was to be seem At this
moment three Malay boats with 40 or so men Zach
came out OF the river and pulled towards the ship
ana us. we concluded only chance to recov
er the ship, by obtaining assistance fr IN otbsr
vessels and for this purpose made the best of
our way to Muckie, where we knew two or three
american vessels were lying-at l O'Clock, A M.
we reached Muckie, which lies IS miles from
Suaiah Battoo, and found here ship Jas Monroe
Porter, of New York, Brig Governor Endicott
jerks, of Salem, and brig Palmer Powers. of Bos'
.oh' VINO Ge'eLmned' on hearing of our misfo tune,
TO proceed to Qualah Battoo, and endeayor to re
cover the ship.-They accordingly immediately
got under weigh, brt owing to the lightness oftbe
WIND, did not reach Qualah Battoo in season to
ehec. any thing that day; but on the morning of
the 9TH, Maaywas sent on shore to demand the
snip OF the Rajah, accompanied with the threat that
II tho Malays did not Immediately desert her. we
should hre upon the town. The Raiah, however
pr"'iJ reused TO give her up, and sent word
Inat we might take her if we could
II he three vessels immediately commanded e
!.hg upon the ship and the boats which were pas
sing with plumber, and were answered bv the forts
on shore; and the Maays also firing the ships GUNS
at u.s. In their attem pts to get her to shore. she
had became cntangled among a large cluster Of
Shoals which rendered it extremely dangerous for
ether OF the vessels to attempt 10 Law her along
sac; they, however, after blowing themselves IN
WIN an open keg of powder, out of which tbev
were Ioading tho guns, ceased firing an
ooard the ship, when boat from each vessel was
despatched to board her under cover of the o,,ns
from the vessels, and VIII ch they did without onpo-
sltion, the Malays deserving her at the appro5cb
OF the boats. They found her within pistol shot of
inc snore and on examination ascertaned she was
piundored OF every thing valuable and scarcely
any thlng but hor pepper remaining. The appear
ahce o. the ship at the time boarded her bep-
CARED all description; every part of her bore ample
tesumony OF the scene of violence and destruction
with which she had been visited
1--WE subsequently learnt that the pepper boot
exchanged her crew of fishermen at the rivers
mouth Tor a set of opium smokers, rendered des
Perate by their habits, and to these were added al
so men of the same class taken from a ferry boat.
-that when she came alongside not one Of them
were recognised by the ships company as having
oeen OFT to her before: they were all however in
uiscI,'nlnateiy permitted TO go board and the
attack was commenced simultaneously in different
parts OF the ship by some concerted sipna1 and 2
or four men with the first officer were instantJv In
led, and the crew being taken by surprise and
uhPIePared, tho ship fell an easy prey TO them.
KILLED on board the +. Mr.. Charles Xiii.
chioi officer John Davis, and George Cbosfar'
seamen Wounded, Charles Convers, seaman, t,sd'