The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-21
A Story Of Shipwreck and Murder
by Savages in the Archipelago
OF Terra del FuegO.
An American Sea Captain and Three of
His Crew Butehered by Indians.
Loss of the French Ship Lame
rique Off Desolation Island.
Terrible SuffcringS Of the CHARACTERIZATION
and Dcath-Fw'y-six Days Adrift
In Small Boats,
PUHTA ARENAS,

PUNrA ARENAS
STRAITS OF MAGELLAN, April &, 1871.
A case Of barbarc murder and probable cannibal.
Ism, In which the captain, an American and three
OF the crew OF British brigantlne the Victims
mas recently transplred about ninety miles west OF
this out-oitheworld settlement In the Straits and
added to the interest created here to-day by The
arrival OF the picked I'D crew OF a wrecked French
ship, forms unusual stock OF news for the largest
settlement in Patagonia.
The details OF the murder case though have
obtained them from two OF the survivors by per-
sonal conversation, are rather meagre, partly ow-
ing to their ignorance and partly to their apparent
indifference to the shocking fate which has
taken their late companions. After much question:
Ing however, OF The parties alluded to- enabled
to make out from their combined piecemeal state
ments the following facts:-
The brigantine PrOpontH, OF Pen2ance com.
manded by an American named Barnes, sailed from
Bremen on the 10Th oil December last with an
sorted cargo, consigned TO the house OF Gildemels
ter 4 Co., OF Iauique. Her crew consisted Of the
mate, u German named Plngel, and seven men, or
rather five men and two boys. Instead OF taking the
usual route for SAILING vessels, by rounding Cape
Horn. Captain Barnes decided that his vessel
small one and good sailer, he would work ner
through the Straits, as he was personally DESTROYS
~
considerable danger, however for smiling ships, as
the Straits west OF Cape Froward are too narrow to
admit OF lacking, aud the winds are frequently very
violent. by the 4th OF March he had succeeded in
working her through far Cape Gallant when the
usual heavy westerly winds were encountered. He
was then III part OF tne Straits about miles in
width, not far from Crooked Reach. the narrow
est and most tortuous part, SO he decided TO run
into Fortescue Bay rather Port Gallant. for an
chorage, and to await favorable winds About ten
O'Clock in the day three native canoes containing
about fifteen Terra del Fuegan Indians with three
women and some children, came alongside, ana by
signs indicated that they wished to come aboard.
The mate informs me that he advised Captain
Barnes not to allow them on his deck by any MEANS
but the advice unheeded and they were all per-
United TO come on board. The Indians were coarse
brawny men, and wore no clothing save q sort OF
mantle OF the skin OF wild animals. which scanty
apparel was as often lying upon the deck as it was
used to cover the bodies OF the owners
Having got on familiar terms with the ships COM
pany, the savages took full advantage OF the priv
le,e extended them ana became bold IN their man
ners and actions, approprarng sundry trlfling
articles, making conside. able noise and performing
various rude antics. Captain Barnes seemed 10 ap-
prehend no danger, however, and evinced consider
able amusement their doings. This Of affairs
continu until night approached, when they were
dire ted by signs to leave the snip. Here the first
real difticulty was encountered. They objected TO
the wishes OF the captain, and In various cunning
ways tried 10 remain on board, and were only COM
PEELED TO leave by the utmost decision the part OF
the ships crew. All the savages then disappeared
sullen,y toward the shore.
About noon on the next day the captain took one
OF the ships boats, with crew Of two men and
boy, and proceeded TO the shore, probably half
mile distant, saying he wished have look at the
country. Abont I'VE o'clock the mate became
anxious regarding the captains long stay on shore
and, taxing telescope went into the rigging to see
II they were visible. The hisides down to the
wateredgc are covered by scrubby growth OF
trees and nothing could pe seen Of the men, but
their boat was discernable drawn into little bay
on the beach. Pingel now became alarmed, and
went TO the captains wife, who was ON board, and
stating 10 her his fears, suggested thar the other
boats crew should go ashore to look for their
comrades or the amiabiiity Of this lady there
there Is much room for doubt II half the opinion OF
the crew be taken authority. They represent
her being the controlling SPIRIT OF the vesse
under all circumstances, and she pereInptorily re-
fused to permit the mate to 90 ashore and search
for her husband.
DreadlnQ the worst, the mate assembled the few
remaining men. and had every means taken for
defence or escape IN the event Of an attack by the
savages during the night, but morning came and
matters remained as on the night previous. Again
the captains vile refused to permit the mate 10
the other boat ashore but he persisted IN tax.
ing up one OF the anchors and putting the other In
condition TO slip the cable and make san at q mo-
ment's warning. The day passed in great anxiety
and on the next morning, IN spite OF the ladys OBJ
lection, Pingei took the boat and landed for the
sea rch.
The captains boat was found drawn pretty well
up on Shore and the party then entered the dark
gina rly forest to seek their comrades and haooino
TO attract their attention. Fifty yards from shore
am 0ng the undergrow tn, they encountered tine dead
and IN anGled body OF Captain Barnes, lying partly
on his side with both legs cut OF. in cruel and
hacking fashion, just above the knees He had Also
been stripped OF his clothing and two deep wounas
were found has person, Que on his forehead and
the sther in his left breast These appeared 10
have been made by spears--clubs spears aud arrows
A few minutes later and while searching for the
other missing sailors, boy, whom the mate
had left as a lookout In his boat gave the
alarm that savaqes were approaching. The
captains body was carried to the shore to be
distant three canoes rapidly nearing the shin
from an Island along shore. The captains body was
toward their vessel and reached Il ust IN lime 70
escape. The anchor cable was slipped a sail sci,
and the brieannne began 10 make headwav only
yards OF her.
In the canoes were ABOUT forty savages, hailooing
demonstrations. they were all hall naked and y
shot from an old musket on board the brlgantIne
was sent TO them, bat without eject. This musket,
with some axes and bludgeons, formed the sole ar.
mory OF the brganttne and had the Indians sue
cceded IN reaching Ter they would have left no
white man 10 tell the tale OF the tragedy which
would have followed on board the Pr0pontis The
vessel now began TO make good hcadway, aud, the
savages seeing pursuit useless, went asbOre and
were soon Loot sight Of The Propontis returned 10
this settlement and IS now lying here awaiting a
crew. W be forwarded from valparaiso by the cap
that purpose. The mate informs me that Mrs.
Barnes, the captains widow, Is the principal owner
OF the vessel.
was unable TO learn the place OF nativity OF the
murdered captain or his FIRST name and of the thre
other wet ms. Inc mate states that the bOy was
named schuppe, native Of Labe k; one Of the
sailors was Russian and the other Scandina wan
There ID little doubt among the settlers here that
the three missing men have been Killed ana eaten
as the natives along the south side of the afrait ara