The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-26
MUTINY ON THE VIRGINIA.
The Second Mate Uncomfortable.
Arrest of the Mutineer.
A Glance Into the Log Book.

Friday evening the American ship Vir-
pinia, Samuel Barker captain, after voyage
of seventy-eight days from Liverpool, arrived
at the Passes. The captain Immediately tele-
graphed to Mr.. Silas Weeks the agent, say
ing that Thomas Cummings, the second mate,
had mutinied and requesting that upon the
arrival of the ship at New Orleans warrant
be in readiness for the mutineer. Accord
ingly Information was conveyed to Supt W.
T. Loan.
Accordingly Sergt. Slabowski. commanding
the Harbor Precinct, made detail of four
men on the river, with instructions that upon
the arrival of the vessel they should board
her and capture the second mate. At an
passed up the river, but the harbor men who
were awaiting her arrival, were unable to
board her. A dispatch was instantly sent to
Capt Thos. Flanagan, Sixth Precinct, who
detailed Corporal Ward on the levee.
When the ship made fast at the wharf, OPP
posite Transit Warehouse, at the head of
| Washington street, Corporal Ward went
aboard and arrested second mate Cummings,
he being charged by Capt. Barker with mu-
tiny and threats, and by first mate Louis
Green with threats. The prisoner was con-
veyed to the Sixth Precinct Station, and upon
being searched $110 in gold was found upon
his person. He was then incarcerated, sub
| iect to the orders of the United States Com
missioner.
The particulars of the mutiny will be seen
by the following copy of the log book, which
was kindly furnished by Capt. Barker:
Extract from the Log Book.
THURSDAY Aug. 26, 80 P. NJ, at Sea, lati-
tude "a deg, longitude 26 deg.-I spoke to
the second mate Cummings, and told him
wanted the ratings put on square. He re-
piled they were square. | told him they we're
not. He Immediately flew into a passion,
and said he did not come here to learn any
thing He kept on with his abusive Ian
puage. and threatened to throw me overheard.
| told him he could not do that, for if he at.
tempted it l would put him out of the way.
He then, without any provocatlon, COM
menced abusing the first mate, VIM. Green,
threatening to take his life, and to throw
him overheard. 1 tried to keep him
rage, foamiug at the mouth like a mad
man, l was fearful he would murder
him. The mate tried to keep him off, but
could not. He, Green, got into his room and
came out, and was getting his pistol in his
pocket, when the second mate rushed at him
with capstan-bar The mate then fired
twice at him, one of the shots struck him in
the right side, and produced flesh wound.
The second mate then dropped the capstan-
bar and sang out to the crew to witness his
treatment He continued raving like mad
man for about two hours. l tried to paclfy
him, but to no purpose, as he kept swearing
he would have the mates life, and that he
would not live to see New Orleans. After a
while he cooled down and had his wound
dressed and went to duty. Nothing mo re
of the affair TRANSFERRED till about
forty-eight hours after, at l P. NJ, Satur-
day, when I heard great noise on
deck, I went out and saw the second mate had
the mate down on deck beating him shocking
ly. l sang ont to him to stop, and the mate
got clear of him and got into his room. The
second mate tried to get at him, but kept
him off He was raving and frothing at the
mouth like q mailman when he found he
could not get at the mate, and after while
got him cooled down, and he promised me he
would make no more trouble. / afterwards
asked Mr. Green how he was attacked. He
said he was telling one of the sailors what
work to do, when two of the sailors came be-
hind him and grabbed him by the arms, and
the second mate got him by the neck
and threw him down, and kicked him
many times in the stomach and face,
at the same time the carpenter got
at the mates pocket, and took his pistol
away. Thus it is plainly shown that it was a
contrived plan with the second mate, carpen-
| kon11& 1o To OF thn fret
opportunity. This second mate is such a
bad man, such desperate, and so perfectly
mad when in passion that l don't feel that
our lives are safe with such q one at large. II
is my duty to put him in irons and confine
him, but as he has all the sailors on his side
lif should attempt should have them all Oh
line. Therefore must make the best Of il
and keep myself guarded in case | am at
attacked. SAMUEL BARKER Master.
LOUIS GREEN, First Officer.
TUESDAY, Sept. 2S.-Lat. $3.50, long. 6S.-
At about A. M. beard the second mate
Cummings cursing and swearing | told him
to desist, he replied 81 will swear" | told
him | would not have it, but he kept on witt
much as he ID pleased, "You stop me il
you can" | saw that he was determined t.
make row, and / tried to reason with him
but he was 80 excited and raving at such {
rate l thought it best to have no words with
him, as he seems determined to create anothe
riot if possible, as he had his sailors to bach
him. So | must put up with his conduct
and try and avoid any more trouble with him
as he is such desperate, and SO perfect.
wild and angry, that feel that he is liable te
attack me and my wife at any time, so hav
to keep on my guard day and night and have
as little to say to him as possible.
SAMUEL BARKER, Master.
LOUIS GREEN, First Officer.
MONDAY, Oct. l7.-Lat. $3.50, long. Sc
The second mate, Cummings, is again try in,
to raise disturbance. At about II 80 A. M
he went in front of and near the cabin doc
and commenced his noise, swearing at hor
rid rate. I went to the door and he went OF
raving like a mad man, and swearing at
dreadful rate. He kept saying &C d.
you, Til fix you when get on the levee."
saw that he wanted me to reply to him, SO b
could have another row, but thought it bes
to have no words with him. He went o.
wearing for about ten minutes, and fndin