The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-05-18
THE BRAGANZA TRAGEDY.
i'm Appalling Narrative.

IlrateS ana murdererS. III is unnecessary
TO publish the testimony at length, but the
following story of the dreadful scene, as re-
lated by Robert Moir, the second mate will
be read with interest:
In the months of July and August, l
was second mate on board the brig Bragan-
"a. She sailed from the port of Phiadel-
phia on the 9TH July, 1898. The captain
was Arnel f. Turley-lst mate Thomas
Vanderslce--myself second mate-there
were four able seamen, and two boys as or
dinary seamen. The prisoners were on
board as seamen. Wilhelm was known
on board as Bill, Van Bruggen was called
Joe and man named Adams on board was
called Harry. There was a coored man
on board named Thomas Brown who was
cook. Mr. and Mrs. Diehl and the cap
tain's wife were on board as passengers.
Mr.. Dehl was the owner of the brig. On
Saturday night 5th August, left the deck
quarter after IL o'clock, and Mr.. Wander
slice took charge of the deck, as it was his
watch. cannot say which Of the sailors
were on deck after left; retired 10 my
berth in the state room in the cabin. The
captain and his wife were asleep in the
starboard berth, and Mr.. and Mrs. Diehl in
the larboard berth. There was a door
from my state room into the cabin. fell
asleep-I was awakened about 2 o'clock
by the cry Of murder, which took to be
the chief mates voice and so still believe;
| heard them twice after awoke, and also
heard a scufile on deck. at once jumped
out Of my berth and went into the cabin,
and found the captain and Mr.. Diehl getting
out Of their berths. went on deck, prece-
ded by the captain, who, think was not
armed, was at the bottom of the steps
when the captain was at the top. On the
deck was Mr.. Vanderslice first mate lying
on deck wounded and bloody, his head
hanging dawn the companion way. He
spoke to me; | found the four sailors, in
cludlng the two prisoners, Knudson and
Adams on deck. | found Joe engaged with
the captain, Bill! also engaged in the attack.
Joe was armed with pump brake or hand
spike. Wiheims had a sheath knife in his
hand Hans and Adams had no weapons
as saw. Seeing Joe engaged with the
captain, | struck at him with Delaying pin
| had in my hand, and hit Hans on the lem
pie. Hans being nearest to me, I got hold
OF him and tried to force him down. In
the scuflle was tripped, and fell on the
top OF Hans when Van Bruggen, or Joe
struck me with handspike on the shoulder
Adams then cut me on the head with
knife, and wounded my fingers severely.
The captain then returned to the cabin to
get cutlass, and said he would fix them.
While he was there Wilhelms unshipped
the gang-way amidships, and kicked it over
board leaving an open place in the bulwarls
oi the vessel, so that person could be
thrown overheard. Hans and me were
still scufllmg, and while we were, Will
helms and Adams took hold of me, and
tried to throw ne overheard. | went over
board through their means I held on to
Hans and took him overheard with me
and caught upon the after guy to which
we both clung. Hans then let 90 of me.
and rope was let down to Hans, who cot
hold Of it, and did also. Van Bfuggen
or Joe then got handspike, and struck me
on the arm, tracturing one Of the small
bones, while | held on the rope. Mean
while the captain came on deck with cut
lass, and the attention of the men was turn
ed from me to the captain and got on deck
and crawled to the companion way of the
cabin much injured by the blows. When
| got into the cabin, found Mr. Vanderslice
lying at the foot of the cabin, the captain
was lying on the deck held down by Van
Bruggen or Joe, and Wilhelm or Bill. The
captain begged for mercy, and prayed that
they would spare his life for the sake of
his poor wife, saying he would forgive
them all they had ever done. When | got
into the cabin they fastenedl the door with
spikes, to prevent any of us from going to
the assistance of the captain. While there
| continued to hear cries of the captain on
deck they were cries for mercy. Thev
continued some time, then there was still
ness of about five minutes; then heard a
splash in the water. then heard cry from
the captain in the water exclaiming, ,"Oh.mv
God, | am dying" could see the can
tain from the cabin window in the water.-
| observed the captain trying to swim in the
water until he was out of sight II was
night time, and | did not see him sink.
came on deck the 9TH day. Before I
came on deck, was confined by the crew, |
with whom communicated every day