Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-03-31
MUTlNY AND MURDER.

rug uuu minute dC''ouHeOl T1utiHy WHICH
occurred on board the whaling ship Sharon,
in Nov, 1912, and of the manner in which
the ship was reiaken from the mutineers
by single person, Mr.. CIough, the third
mate. The Sharon, after u cruise near
the Caroline Islands, had procured supplies
at Ascension, and was preparing for the
voyage, when eleven Of her crew deserted,
and were no, retaken. She shipped new
crew of seventeen. including sir natives of
the islands. On Sunday, Nov, in la iulc
: deg. 30 zee. N longitude, 1862 deg. East,
both boats were lowered in chase Of whales
Capt. Norris, Portuguese boy who acted
rs Steward, and three Of the natives being
left on board. The boats soon captured a
whale, which the ship took alongside, ard
the bo ats went in pursuit Of another. At
3 O'Clock P. NJ, the boat Of Mr.. Smith the
mate, being about mile and half from
the ship, perceived signal flying. and
pulled towards her. On coming within
hailing distance, they were tod by the boy.
who was aloft, that the natives had killed
Capt. Norris, and were in possession Of the
ship. Just then, one OF the natives, en-
tirely naked, Ieaped upon the ,alirail, and
brandishing a spear, dared the crew 10
come on board. An armed native stood
guard at each side, and hammers, Delay ing
pins and other missiles had been collected
for their use, aid were hurled furiously at
the boat, though w,hou, much injury.
The mate then waited for the her boat,
and consulted as 10 the best method of re-
taking the ship. 1t was proposed that the
boats should advance and board her, one
on each side, AT the same tine; but Mr..
Smith The mate, who had become master
by The captains death, proposed that both
crews should make the attack with one
boat, and leave him in the other. This
proposal was received with no fayor-,he
men declaring hey would sooner start Tor
the nearest land and risk the chance Of
escape. Mr.. Clough, who had acted as
Mr.. Smiths, seersman, had several times
da rted his lance at the savage on the taft
rail; bu, the distance was too great, and he
requested 10 be rowcd nearer; but Smith
thought The danger too great, and refused
to approach The ship.
Mr.. Clough proposed several other oe-
vices, but in default Of aid from others, re-
solved to reiake the ship himself He ac
cordingly, after dark, was taken by the
boat ahead of the ship, a; some distance TO
avoid suspicion. and taking knife in his
teeth to defend himself from sharks, which
had been attracted by the whale, swan 10
the ship, and after a1hord struggle OF an
hour and half, during VIII CHI two sharks
kept him company, but did not offer TO mo-
lest him. Having reached The ship, he
Owed under, seized the rudder n, the heel
and climbed to the starboard cabin window
through which he mad, his entry. Lay
ing aside lis clothing, and ascertaining
that no suspicion existed Of his be ng on
board, he CROPPED about him for arms, and
found two cutasses and two muskets which
he loaded. While loading one, he heard
some one descending the stairs. Running
thi'her he grasped cutlass and struggle
ensred. Mr. Clough succeeded in throw
ing his antagonist. thrust out one Of his eyes.
and left him for dead, having been severely
wounded himself in the contest. No sooner
had he left his supposed victim, than he
got up and furiousiy renewed the attack,
but finally fell down from loss Of blood -
Mr.. CIough, going again TO the gangway,
saw another person with cutting space -
ne shot him from below through the heart,
but just as he fired, the spade was thrown
at him, and sabled his left arm. A third
person came TO the gangway with another
spade, out soon went forward.
Mr.. Clough then hailed the boats which
were very nea =, told them he had killed
ttxn pE ho nd co1T l,,,
gerousiy wounded, and urged them 10 come
at once or board. They refused, as thy
had heard bot one discharge and feared only
one had heen ed:-they did not ,hink it
safe. After about half an hour, hearing
no noise, they came on board, struck
light and went into the cabin. The man
with whom Mr.. Clough had first commended
was found on the transom, his eye hanging
on his cheek, and his body covered with
gore. He id not move, but merely
groaned, whereupon MIR. Smith, the mate
fired a musket al him and one Of the men
thrust him through with a cutting spade;
he was then thrown into The sea. The
deck was tracked with clotted blood; the
headiess body of Capt. Norris was found.
with that Of his murderers. The other
mu,ineer jumped overheard. but returned,
surrendered and was taken to Sydney
The Sharon completed her voyage under
Mr.. Smith, Mr.. CIough ucting as second
mate.
This is an extraordinary narrative and
in some Of lis details almost incredible If
it be entirely true it is difficult 10 tell
whether most to admire the heroism AMI
daring of Mr.. Clough, or 10 despise the
cowardice Of Mr.. Smith and crew. The
Mercury says that the owners Of the Shar-
on have given Mr.. Clough The command IF
fine ship, which. il the narrative be true.
he has well deserved. We believe the fac:
of this mu,iny was reported some months
ago, though its details have never before
been so fully stated.
The salutary effects of strict temperance
principles among seafarng men arc clearly
shown by some statements in the Sailors
Magazine. In 1912 no Jess than $50 YES
sells and COS lives were lost at sea; in 1913
the number los, was 404 vessels and 642
lives. During the year Is44 as far as heard
from, only ONS ro-SaIc md IlS I;ra- h,vo