The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-16

C.p<~rs saa Plumber or tho American schr
susan SturEcs at 0Ueon ChariOtte's Island.
We have been furnished by our Marine Reporters.
says the San Francisco Herald of Feb. 14th. with
the following narrative respecting the capture and
plumber of the schooner Susan Sturges by the tribe
Of Indians called the Massets residing the north
ward of Queen Charlottes Island This island is in
group Of the same name, in the Pacific ocean, off
the coast Of British North America, near Vancou-
vre's Island
On Thursday Sept %, 1852, sailed from skidegate's
Harb0r side Of Queen Charlottes Island bound TO
Edensaw's Harbor, at North Island We had on board
the chief Edensaw and his wife and child with two of
the Skidegate Indians of whom had been to Cafor
mia in the above named vessel His name is Wnett.
Nothing extraordinary happened until rounded Point
Rose on Saturday when canoe came aiongsas
simpson, and bound to Massett Harbor. He asked
me to allow of them to come on board but that
Ash for tobacco and away On the following
morning Sunday, at about half past nine O'Clock
canoes came of from Massett Harbor, being about
four miles of, to the northwest. commenced trading
with them for Ash believing that to be their object
nearly all of the canoes had more less fish in them
suspected attack, having had similar number
around her before therefore continued trading the
staIboard side of the quarter deck
The chief Edensaw, passing the tobacco into the
canoes one of the lowering the fish into the hold
and another the maindeck at the port gangwsy While
in this scattered position large along
the port side and Of the Indians jumped the
MEETINGS on the deck ran from the quarter deck to
stop him and make him leave the ship but at this signal
the vessel boarded simultaneously all sides by ut
least one hundred and fifty men. l was in . mo nent
completely surrounded and overpowsred Robert Ford
the man in the gangway knocked down and stripped
of his Clothes Jaues Cornden served In the
manner John Caulfeld ran aloft; Robert Lang (the
caught in the galley and Henry Smith at the wheel All
of these unarmed rushed at the first Indian who
boarded and about to fire at him. but seized by
two others from behind thrown back and dragged
towards the stern OF the vessel. Here l managed to
break away from them but Immediately covered
five six muskeis pointed at my breast and was only
the chief herself between
dams and myself The chief then up me- and by
dint OF force dragged me away from them towards the
cabin.
Previous to this he had been defending the cabin
against about twelve Indians all armed with knives and
most with muskets Here found Robert Lang, with
musket- about to fire; but prevented hiu from
doing by telling him that overpo wered and by
killing one of them would the loss of all lives
As it was, one man standing with his knife
close to my neck for the purpose Of despatching but
grasping his wrist prevented him from plishing
his design Edensaw then up to this man. and from
conversation between them the intentions of the
latter were suddenly changed, and from being enemy
he became my friend, Notwithstanding tn reinforce
men our number being only ten) could not prevent
sudden rush that was made by which the cabin was
Immediately broken open, and fight ensued between the
his nose nearly cut of. During this time managed to
make my escape the after cabin where found four of
my men secreted all being stripped Naked and one
lightly wounded in the side by a musket ball
However anxious the chief, Edensaw, and his party
may have been to preserve lives, they appeared
equally anxious to share the plumber with the Masset
tribe for on departure from the cabin they began
ransack the whole vessel down all sails aud let
the anchors They removed all the spare sails from the
hold as well the fish and stores They also took the
safe out of the Lazarete (Which placed there for
safety containing 81 500-$1 900 in gold $500 in silver
besides several small amounts of prvas cash. amounting
to about 5000 During the whole of this time they were
shouting most vigorously for my life therefore
obliged to keep self secreted their intention
to shoot both me and my men if made our appear
ance In the meantime Edensaw made a treaty with
them to spare lives for quantity of cotton and
bacco whereupon they began cutting the upper deck of
the after cabin and the bulkhead at the same time.
BY this manuvre, and their numbers they overpower
ed Edensaw and his and forced to quit the after
cabin. Whilst was making rush for the outer cabin
one Of the fellows made thrust at me with his knife
which avoided by falling down among their feet and
thus scrambled out deck. Here was taken prisoner
by chief named Scowel who told me- in pretty good
English, that his wifes father was Boston man and
that he would protect me- 1t being possible for to
return TO Edensaw went with him to his canoe where
was covered with blanket for protection when we i'm
medately made for the shore After many privations
and difficulties encountered the land both BY the mate
and myself at length reached Fort Simpson where
received by Mr. John Work. chief factor Of the
Hudson Bay Company, from whom received every at
tenton and kindness that it in the power man to
bestow. Having stated to him. he Immediately
despatched canoe for the remainder the three
OF whom he fortunate enough to recover and one
Edensaw brought himself to the fort.
In concluding this narrative have to return my sim
cere thanks to Mr. John Work chief factor and Capt w.
MCNEIL Of the Hudson Bay Companys esta olshment at
Fort simpson, for their kind attentions to myself and
crew. MATTHEW ROONEY.