New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-06-09
Tile WHALEsHIp GEORGE HowLANp

Letters received in New Bedford, from Capt Sam H.
Cromwell Of the whaleship George Rowland, OF that
port confirm the accounts Of the capture OF the ship
BY pirates at Charles Island, previously stated in
the letter from Mr.. Peacock, who il will be reco.
lected effected his escape by secreting himself on
board the ship while Captain Cromwell and portion
of the crew were retained upon the island. Capt T.
adds:
awe were left under guard at the hut until the re-
turn Of our captors from the ship about two hours
consultation then held the outside OF the build
ing respecting the manner In which we were to be dis
posed Of IL was evident from their conversation that
their original intention mad been to murder and In
deed one plan had been to dig hole in the sand large
enough to hold twenty FIVE bodies and to bury US all to-
sether but thanks 10 an all wise and oyerrung Provi
deDce, lives were spared. After about an hour,
spent in the most horrible uncertainty we were some.
what relieved by the arrival of the Governor who called
aside the principal person Of the gang aud had short
conversation with him. After this our bands were cut
and were set at liberty on desert island.
The Governor Don Martin and his man servant, were
left with us and were the only persons besides our
selves on the island The robbers left us about niteen
pounds of bread and one gallon of molasses they took
from the Governor the greater part OF bis furniture and
clothing.
1--WE were kindly received by the Governor at his
house and resided there while we were on the island
Here our f. cd consisted almost entirely OF meat anu
frequently had nothing but piece OF beet roasted
on the Goals We obliged to hunt the wild cattle
for our food and Jud only take them at night,
and had fire arms the pursuit was very diicut aud
sometimes dangerous. we were nearly desutu'e OF
iDg dress.
AFTER about three weeks passed in the most agonz-
ing suspense, sail was discovered approaching ne
island Il proved to be the ship Congaree, Capt MalOy,
who kindly administered to wants receiving US on
board his ship and supplying with every comfort,
who brought us in safety 70 Tombez where the com
mander OF the L. S. ship Portsmouth received
board and brought us 10 Guaysqutl, where we found
the ship Geo Rowland at an anchor"
In another letter dated at Guayaquil, May Captain
Cromwell states that they confined at the island
twenty three days and subsequently twenty four
days in making the passage TO Tombez, and six days
thence to regainipg the ship at Guaysquil The ship
had been stripped Of all her whaling GEAR tools, &c
all but two OF her boats and large quantity OF goods
and provisions and 10 Of the had not been heard
from 1t was therefore impossible TO continue the yoy
age uer could she leave the port until after the lIquda
ZION of the claim by the ocers of the Swedish fngate
Eugenis, tor salvage. Capt Cromwell proposed to re-
main at Guayaquil awaiting orders for her owners
which it viii be recoected we're dispatched hence by
Capt Benz Clark, Immediately after the reception OF
the intelligence OF the arrival of the vessel at Guayaqu