The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-11-25
4 TRAGEDY In TIE SOUTH SEAS.
A Horrible St0r Massacre by Coolies
--RetribHtIOn-The WretcheS Blown
Overheard.
From the San Francisco Bulletin Nov. 10.

From the San Francisco Bulletin Nov. 10.
By the brig Nautilus, Capt. Turner
which arrived from Tahiti yesterday max
ing the quickest trip on record-sixty
seven days for the round trip news i
received by business house in this city
OF one OF the most thrilling tragedies eve
enacted m the high seas 1t brings tt
mind ; fearful scenes witnessed or
board the African slavers years ago, and
surpasses any of the dark deeds on ship
board that have been chronicled for /;
long time. Some two years ago the
French bark Muriadi was fitted up by the
Tahiti Cotton Company, and sailed fol
the Gilbert Islands. near Aukland, ,osten
slbly, on trading expedition, but really
for the purpose of securing cargo Of
Coolies, to be used as slaves on the plan
tatlon. She was provided with stocks,
and arranged in all respects like SLAYER
She procured her human freight, ano
after considerable difficulty succeeded in
completing her voyage in safety, in spite
OF the obstacles placed in her path by the
French government and the natives.
The Murladi venture proved SO remu-
neratlve that the company could scarcely
curb their impaticnce ard wait for the ex
cltement to die out, before sending for an
other cargo of coolies. About six months
ago the Cotton Company purchased the
bark Margaret Brander. arranged her sim
liar to the Muriadi, and sent her to the
Gilbert Islands, urder the Tahitian fla g,
after more ''laborers' for their planta-
ton. No unusual precautionswc were taken
In equipping the vessel to enable the
officers and crew to withstand any out
break which might take place, and the
owners saw the gallant bark sail away
with no apprehension that the voyage
would result disastrously.
The Brander arrived at the GilbeIt
Islands In due season, and immediately
set to work procuring the s1aborers'
wanted. In doing this, more trouble was
experienced than had been anticipated.
The natives of the Gilbert Islands are
fierce and reyengetul, and are bitter in
their hatred toward the whites. Atlast,
however, the complement was obtained,
and women.
discovered the destination of the Bran
der, found they were to be subjected to
slavery, and the Muriadi' cargo had been
converted to that purpose. Instantly
they became sullen, and eyed their cap
tors with wicked look. 4.i .a
Feeling somewhat insecure, Captain
Blackett, who had charge of the vessel
ordered the strlctest watch to be kept OF
the movement of the coolies, and all pos
sible precautions for the safety of the yes
sci, officers and crew taken His fears
were not groundless, for when two weeks
out the coolies rebelled in the night, killed
Capt. Blackett. two Of the officers, and
several men, and charged around the YES
sci in the widest fury, hacking their vic
tins IN the most frightful manner.
While the poor Wretches were carrying
on their horrible work of mutilating and
dis6guring their victims, the mate of the
vessel managed to secrete himself below.
His absence was soon discovered, and the
now half crazed savages set to work
to discover his whereabouts.
Mistrusting their intention, and with a
presence Of mind rarely equaled, he plac-
ed keg of powder under the main hatch,
and arranged a fuse Then calling out to
the coolies, he scampered back from the
powder as far as possible. When the fell
lows had crowded around the hatchway,
and were peering down to see him, he
fired his fuse. and the explosion which
followed killed nearly all on board. The
rest were so demoralized that they jump
ed overheard or fell easy victims to the
remorseless warfare waged by the mate
and the few remaining men. aT
Singular as it may seem, the vesse, was
not so badly damaged that she would not
float, and the mate succeeded in bringing
her back to Tahiti. .'r-s 9ai
The Cotton Company feel dissatisfied
with their investment, but are not discour-
aged, andi it is currently reported that the
vessel is being fitted up for another
cruise. s hls