Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-02-25
u. S. SHIP PEACOCK.
Oahee, Sandwich Islands. Oct. 10. 1874

U. S. SHIP PEACOCK,
Oahee, Sandwich Islands, Oct. 10, 1910.
We arrived here on the 3Oth ult. after to-
dious passage of52 days from the Feeiee Is
lands. Since leaving Sydney IN. S. Wales)
months in surveying at the Feeiee Islands,
and it is gratifying to know, that we have
been the first to make an examination of that
interesting though dangerous position of the
South Seas.
In our intercourse with the FeeleeS we
have had to do with the most savage and
barbarous beings in all creation,-and al
though at all times we have been guarded a.
gainst their treachery, and endeavored to ex-
erclse the utmost caution, yet we have to la
ment and deplore the loss oftwo of our BROTH
| or officers, who fell victims to their ferocity.
Our worthy friend Lieut.. Underwood is no
more. While on surveying tour, he and
Midshipman Wilkes Henry attempted to land
In boat ON the Island Of Mololo, and while
in the act of defending their boats crew from
an attack Of the savages' were both massa-
cred. This sad event has created deep and
| melancholy gloom among us: and long, very
long must we think, with feelings of sorrow,
of our departed friends.
We have had an interesting voyage thus
far, although many circumstances have occur
ed to mar our happiness. No doubt you
have heard the particulars of our success in
the Antartic Ocean, and the discovery of a
Southern Continent. trust we shall be able
to give satisfaction to the Country, for surely
we have worked hard and braved many dam
gers.
Our good old Peacock had her tail feathers
clipped very close while in the ice, and has
stood the severe rubbngs against the coral
reefs and shoals in the Torrid Zone very well.
1t is rumored we are to go to the North West
Coast. Our men re-ship here, as their times
expire on the 3Ist Oct. We expect to be
home by the summer of 1912. We are all in
fine health. All the squadron is here.
Oahee is delightful place to refresh at
and we find it particularly so, as we suffered
considerably on our way here; all our provi-
sions gave out, with the exception of screep-
ing bread dust and salt beef 1t is rising
rapidly. There are several mercantile hous-
es here doing well. In few years this must
be the grand market of the Pacific.
.Another .4ccount-IHe Massacre Of UnderwooG
and Henry .9Uenged-tico I5,cns burnt and
81 IF the Savages Killed.
o5~After the above was in type, we were
politely favored with the following particu-
lars of the skirmish at Feejee Islands, from
another letter of the 24th of October The
brig Porpoise and schr. Flying Fish, with
three of the large boats under the command
of Lieuts. Alden, Emmons and Underwood,
were engaged in surveying groupe of Is
lands attached TO the Feejces. The boats
got separated for day or two from the lar
ger vessels, which made it requisite for them
to go on shore for provisions, and they accor-
dinghy landed on the Island Of Mololo. The
natives received them with seeming kind
noe hIff told
for them, and that they must 90 around to the
other side of the Island, as the Chief was
there with number of presents for them,
such as hogs, vans, SC. Not suspectng a
ny treachery, they pulled around as directed
but as there was very long fiat, the boats
could not get within half mile Of the
beach; so that some of the men got out of
them and waded ashore. Lieut. Underwood
and Mid'n Henry "a nephew of Capt Will
kes, and quite YOUTH went with them.
They had been OH shore but a short time,
when the natives manifested their hostility to
them, and Lieut.. Underwood thereupon order
ed all his men to return to their boats; but be-
fore the order could be obeyed the savages
commenced an attack; and as only Lieut.. u.
and Mid. Henry were armed, they stopped
to defend the men, and in so doing, both lost
their lives. As soon as the officers i'm the
D'o'' %" "'"' vas SolhS OH, lney came 10
their assistance, in few minutes after the
lighting commenced, but their gallant COM
rades were then down at their last gasp. One
sailor was severely wounded the rest got of
with little or no injury. Mr. Henry is said |
to have fought most deperately, and to have
killed one or two of the natives himself The
other officers shot several of the savapes be- |
fore they succeeded in getting the bodies OIL
their comrades. The schr. soon after heay. |
ing in sight, took them on board.