, 1859-03-18
From the San Francisco Herald.
Capture and Destruction Of the Brig Swiss
Boy.
STEAMER NoRTHERNER,
February 2S, 1859.

EptroR OF THE SAN FRANcIsCO HERALD:
, The brig Sciss Boy, of San Francisco,
> Capt. Wclden, sailed from Port Orchard,
, Washington Territory, Jan. 2Sth, 1859,
loaded with lumber for San Francisco She
passed Cape Olnpat light at seven p. NJ
} Oh the goth; at ten p. NJ. the wind blew a
gale from the south and cast, with heavy
sea running and the brig under short sail,
| laboring heavy; at eleven P. NJ. discovered
that the brig-had sprung Il leak; called all
, hands and rugged both pumps to free her,
and found the water increased very fast;
wore ship and stood in towards the land,
and found that the brig had started the
oakum out of the seams about the transom
and under the sturboard counter; threw
overheard all the deck load shat we could,
aud stood oil and on until morning, at 8
A. NJ, Jan. Both, Vancouver Island in
sight, about twelve miles distant; Stood in
and made Netnett Sound, as laid down on
the chart; ut nine 4. II. the water had
filled the lower hold to one foot of the deck
beams; VIC were obliged 20 keep of FOR
Netinett Sound to save life and property,
and came to anchor about Z. NJ, under
the lea Of an island, about four miles from
the entrance of the Sound, in thirty-live
fathoms Of water; some indians came on
board, apparently friendly; Jan. 3lst |
took my boat, with two men, lead and line,
to sound into good sand beach, where |
could lay tho brig on and stop the leak, be-
fore proceeding on my voyage; Feb. 3lst,
worked the brig within about three hun
dred yards of fine sand beach, where
anticipated laying the brig on to repair,
and let go the anchor, there being ubout
three hundred Indians on board and along
side in their canoes, all of them armed,
some with musketS, bow end arrows, and
long two-edged knives on their person;
when let the anchor go, some of the In
dians forced themselves into the cabin, and
placed guard at the door with drawn
knives to prevent any of the briggs compa-
ny from goi < in, the Indians in the cabin
passing everything that was in the cabin
ont on deck and into their canoes alongside /;
when they passed the things out Of the
cabin, all Of the Indians on deck drew their
knives and tomahawks, and made rush
for the sails and rigging aud commenced to
cut them to pieces, all Of the briggs COM
pauy standing together in the waist
told them to shove the boat overheard and
Jump into her for their lives; when We
showed the boat over the rail some Of the
Indians seeing us, three or four got hold of
the boat to stop her, but did not succeed in
doing it; when the boat struck the water
VIC all jumped into her, the Indians striking
at us with their knives; we showed of from
the brig aud pulled in shore, one canoe
holding on the boat, trying to stop her;
We succeeded in reaching the shore and
were taken prisoners, and took to one of
the chief lodges, about eight miles from
where the brig lay; the Indiaus held a coun
ell of war over us until near midnight, some
advocating very strongly to cut off our
heads; promised them if they would let
ns go TO Victoria to get n ship to come
and get the cargo out of the brig, l would
make them great many presents when l
came back, aud we were King George men,
which got the majority in my favor; they
kept us as slaves for ten days, with nothing
TO eat but muscles, and strictly keeping
guard over US all the time and holding
council over us every night. Many of them
wanted to cut of our heads; but with my
fair promises to return with ship, after
keeping US ten days they called council
und sent for me, aud told me through one
Of them that could speak n little jargou,
that | could go in the morning by leaving
three Of my men, for we were all oil us their
slaves. l told them l could not get ship
back without had all Of my men; so after
holding a council they said that we could
all GO The next morning six Of the In
dians started with five of us in canoe, and
the briggs boat with four of the crew in
company, for San Juan We pulled about
six miles, and saw sail off shore running
along the island. We pulled for her in the
canoes, and after pulling about five miles,
overlook her She proved to be the schoon-
or Moyaiag Star, Capt. Mckay, on ira
ding voyage to the west end Of Vancouver
Island. The boat with the four men kept
on for New Bay. The schooner ran up to
Claycot Sound, and then started with my
two officers, the seaman, and myself for
Victoria, where we arrived on the evening
of the 10Th February. l went immediate.
lly on shore to report 10 the American
Consul, but found there was no represents
tive of our Government there. was in
roduced to Mr., Latham, of Wells, Fargo
& Co, who showed me every attention and
rendered US all the assistance we required
, The Indians had plundered us Of everything
| but what we had on. called on Governor
Douglas the following morning, and stated
the facts of the case to him. He requested
me to communicate in writing to the Colo
nia Secretary the facts as they occurred.
) | did so, and waited until the 2lst, when
again called on the Governor, to sec what
redress | could get. He proposed to send
f the Satellite down, and put me in posses.
sion of the brig aud cargo, when obtained,
which l refused to accept, as the next
morning after we left the brig her masts
were cut away, and she on fire. Governor
Douglas told me that the brig was lawful