New-York tribune., 1867-06-18
CHINA
WRECK OF THE ROVER or roRtosA-MUhDKR oP
THE CAPTAIN HIs WIFE AND THK CREw-ATrACK
DY TIE NATIVES on AN ENGLISH SHIP.

WRECK OF THE ROVER or roRnosA-IUhDKR OF
THE CAPTAIN. his WIFE AND THK cnEw-ATrACK
DY TIE NATIVES on AN ENGLISH SHIP.
Hoxo KoS0, April 49, 1867.
/ have to communicate the loss OF the American
bark Rover on tho south point OF the Island OF Formosa
IA March last on a voyage from Swatow 20 Eewchwang
under circumstances which to leave no doubt that
tho crew were murdered by the natives Of that island
Tho Rover loft SwaOw the 9th Of March and struck on
what nro believed TO be the Vele Reto Rocks on
the 18th. She foated OF in a sinking condition
and Capt Hand, her master, determined TO
abandon her. All on board took 20 the boats
the captain his wife and mate, with three Chinese
taking boat, and the other mate with seven Chinese
the other but they separated during tho night
They pulled nOTthward and the first boat sighted land
hours after starting As soon as is occupants reached
tho shore they landed and remained on the beach about
half hour when they surprised by discharge OF
firearms. without waiting 70 see the result OF this yoley
tho chnaman who brought tho news to Iaao He'd, and
hid himself until night when he crossed tho hils and
reached the Chinese village Of Leang Kisou After re-
manning six days In the village he got passage 10 Iakao
in sanpan, and communicated the news Of tho disaster
On receiving this intelligence, Capt Broad, IN command
OF H. N D. COHnoian at once proceeded do~n he cOhst
20 ransom II possible sac OF the crew as had survived
The Cormorant left Takao the morning OF the 25t,
having board Mr. Carroll the acting British Consul
for FOrmOsa. and Dr. ManBon OF TakaO. She frst al.
corcd at Leang KaOu IN the bay the extreme point of
the island, about p NJ but no one landed unt O'Clock
the morning OF the 2Cth. Arrangements had been
made. however for sending cOncatOry message 70 the
natives OheIDg large rewards Tor any lives saved ana
Chnam1n who understood the savage dialect had with
the beach could be seen the remains OF tho boat rom
which the unfortunate had landed The next morn
ing. sufficient time being supposed 90 have elapsed 10 al
low tho messenger TO reach the natives, and 30 not 70
take them by surprise, the whaler, tho gig ana
fsF & %eGo cSp o o. a9o O 0nd tho
interpreter the second, Lieut. Matthias aud DR. Lucas,
The cutter lay her about thirty yards from
the shore, on the watch for any hostile moyement while
the two others pulled ashore at the point where tho Ro
yer's boat was lying few natives were observed
the hills about 800 yards distant and bufa0es
thas had already landed, and Capt Broad in the
act Of jumping ashore when sharp fire Of musketry was
20 yards distant which, however took no effect on tho
whaier and gig owing TO the abrupt nature OF the sand
boats their retreat being covered by the cutter wsey
determining not to rk the lives OF his hghng With
an invisible foe, but fire kept up from tho boats
which, from the cries Of tho believed 20 have
been effective Their bullets and arrows flew thickly
PSSfs E1e uaSdr Ds passing through the INHALER 3
and caTro We're sea" sttnS EGer' TSc stock r0S oi
one OF the marines rifles shot away hs
In tho act Of firing but only casualty flesh
wound received by OF the seaen IN the cutter This
attack seemed to leave the fate OF the Rovos
AS punishment upon the natives Tor their iDhuman
barbarity fire OF shell opened upon the thickets
from the ship The effects soon visible large parties
being TO hurry up the hill from the position whore
the smoke from their firearms There could not
have been less than fifty at these two points and
seems probable that many stationed along tho
bay the buaOes having been placed along tho beach to
decoY the Grew from the Cormorant ashore.
the F0rmosan sayages are very barbarous one great
OUJect DeluK 10 OBTAIN hedns. MOI long
they fired into one OF the boats OF the Swallow and the
tate OF the crew OF the Rover seems to,eave doubt
that the Of many OF tse sailing which have
been lost and never heard Of their way northward
from this port have pershed at this spot Could the saw
ages be cleared out and settlement OF Chinese effected.
II would prove valuable anchorage for northward-
bound vessels In the Northeast Monsoon The hills are
unduatng the soil is fertile, and the climate invigo-
rating and humanity AndInterest both dictate 60 tho
commercial nations trading with China the necessity OF
peOpng this region with Inhabitants who would succOr
instead OF massaoreng the seafaring who here
cast ashore
Her Malestys ship Icarus left Foochow the Sd of
April for the scene Of the wreck.