The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-10-10
Extraordinary Heroism.

The London Gazette of July 10th publishes an
account Of the extraordinary adventures Of a part Of
the crew Of the bark "Arracan,' of Greenock,
which while on a voyage from Shields to Bombay
with q cargo of Goals, took fire from spontaneous
combustion Of her cargo, and on the 18th of February
was abandoned by her crew, who then took to their
boats and endea7ored to make for the Maldive
Islands. The boats kept company until the Goth,
when finding the currents too strong it was agreed
to separate after dividing the provisions. The master
in command of the longboat then made for Cochin
the mate in charge of the gig, and the second mate
David Webster, in charge of the pinnance with four
Of the WI three men and one boy-made for
the Maldiye Islands. After two days Webster's boat
was injured by a heavy sea-, and could not keep up
with the gig, and lost sight of her. From this time
the pinnance was kept working to windWard until
the 9Th of March, by which day the provisions and
water had been consumed. Shortly afterwards the
crew cast lots which of them should be first killed to
be eaten and the lot fell upon the ships boy Homer;
but Webster who had been asleep, was awakened in
time to save the boys life. After dark an attempt
was made to kill Webster himself, but the boy Horner-
awoke him in time to save himself. On the following
day Webster having fallen asleep was awakened by
the struggles Of the crew for the possession of his
gun, with which to shoot him. Two hours later the
crew attempted TO take Horner's life again, but were
prevented by the determined conduct of Webster,
who threatened to shoot and throw overheard the
first man who laid hands on the boy. The next day I
one Of the crew attempted to sink the boat. but
Webster mastered him and prevented further mis-
chief. Two days later the same member of the crew
again tried to sink the boat, and expressed his deter
mination to take the boys life. For this he would
have been shot had not the cap on the gun missed
fire. Soon after, putting a fresh cap on his gun, a
bird few over the boat which Webster shot it was
at once seized and devoured by the crew, even to the
bones and feathers. During the next five days the
crew were quieter, subsisting on barnacles which at
tached themselves to the bottom of the boat, and on
sea. blubber for which they diyed. The following day
some of the men became delirious. One of them lay
down exhausted, when another struck him several
blows on the head with an iron Delaying pin, cutting
him badly. The blood that flowed was caught in o
tin and drank by the man himself and the two
other men. AfterwarG they fought and bit one an
other, and only left of when completely exhausted,
to as soon as they were able, the boy
Horner during the time keeping watch with Webster.
On the -hirty-frst day in the boat they were
picked up 600 miles from land by the ship {" City of
Manchester Hardie, master, by whom they were
very kindly treated and brought to Calcutta. Webster,
who by his conduct was the means Of saving the
lives Of all who were in the boat, has had conferred
upon him by the Queen the Albert medal of the sec
ond class. He is now living at Broughty Ferry,
Dundee.