The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-08-29
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT SEA.
Murder OF the Captain, Second Mate and
Carpenter OfBarQue Czarina, Of Boston.
The Murderer killed. +

[FrOm he Boston Evening Traveller, Aug. 09.l
The barque Czarina arrived at this port
this morning in charge OF the irst officer
of ship D. B. Metcalf, Mr.. Serritt, who
gives the particulars ofa terrible tragedy
on board that vessel, resulting in the
death of four persons, as follows:
The barque Czarina is owned by Mr..
John Dwyer Of this city. had been on a
VOYAGE ,oCroustad., and was on her re-
turn to this port when the murders took
lplace.
| The captain hired at Queenstown. on
his outward VOYAGE, an lrishman named
John Crotter as frs. mate. This man was
reprimanded byCapt, Dwyer on the 18th
of July last for the bad condition of the
1 vessel. ,-af ,s..s sa4 .,;
After that no more trouble of conse-
quence occurred until two days before the
murder, when dispute took place in the
cabin, resulting in the throwing of plate
at the Captain by Crotter, which inflicted
a wound upon his head, as 44s
On the night of July 3Oth. some time
during the middle Watch" (from twelve
to four) Crolter was seen by boy at the
wheel 10 go down into the captains cabin.
1t afterward appeared that he had mur.
dered the captain with an ak as he was
sleeping in his berth.
He then put on some Of the captains
clothes and look his money, went on dsck
again at 4 A. NJ, and murdered the sec.
ond mate, Mr.. Cammsn of Boston, prob.
ably with the same weapon. gs4
During the day, the crew finding Crot,
ter was desperate aSd reckless murder
or, consulted together and agreed to kill
him. Giving a pledge each to each, TO
stand by the other, they commenced the
attack on the next day, July 81 Ctotter
however, was not in the humor 10 submit,
and as the crew came around he produc.
ed pair Of revolvers loaded with ball
The attack and defense which followed
was Of the most desperate character The
carpenter, who made a pass at Crotter.
was shot and thrown overheard by him.
The boy at the wheel threw the car
peuter rope which he caught, but Crot.
Ter upon perceiving it, cut it, and the car
penter soon after sunk.
Another man then approached. who
was shot at by Crotter, but at the mo.
ment the former Jumped up suddenly and
tie ball lodged in the shoulde. Of Rus.
sian passenger, Mr.. Alexander Troskef.
sky.
AT this time one of the crew, who had
an adze in his hand for self defense, struck
Crctter sever blow in the shoulder.
which somewhat cowed the murderer.
1t soon appeared that this wound was
mortal, and he was placed in boat on
deck, where, after several hours of horri-
ble raving. he died.
At six P. NJ. same day was boarded BY
British barque Harlequin, which obtain.
ed the particulars of the mutiny and pro.
ceeded on her course. :
August ID was boarded from ship D.
B. Melcalf. and obtained from her nav.
isatoT. Mr.. Merritt, who brought the 9.
TO this port. ',
The mate, after killing the captain. de.
stroyed all the papers.
Ffre bodies Of the dead wsre oil thrown
overheard. Capt. Dwyer was about thir.
ty-three years Of age, and belongs in this
CITY. He leaves wife and one child.
The murderer, Crotter. was an Irish.
man. and doubtless this was not his first
crime upon the high seas.
lie had been on the coast Of California,
and ke often Dragged Of the murders be
had committed among the Chinsmen there.
his design probably was. 10 take the
vessel close TO the shore at some appro.
pirate place, setit on fire and abandon it,
With this view he had loaded a boat on
deck with the captains valuables and 9th.
er property.