The New York herald., 1877-11-01
ALLEGED MURDER AT SEA.
THE CAPTAIN OF NEW YORK SHIP THROWN
OVERHEARD IN MID-oCEAN-rHE SECOND
MATE IN CUSTODY.

THE CAPTAIN OF NEW YORK SHIP THROWN
OVERHEARD IN MID-oCEAN-rHE SECOND
MATE IN CUSTODY.
ST. THOMAS, W. l., Oct 16. 1877.
Considerable excitement was occasioned here during
the past few days In consequence OF an alleged murder
on the high seas. There Is mystery connected with
the affair which has as yet received no elucdation
On the 18th inst the American ship Marianne
Nottebohen arrived. with q general cargo, from New
York (Which port she left September ~, on ner
way to San Francisco The first mate, George Mad
ison charge OF the vesso he having the second
mate, Michael Kelly, in irons, on charge Of having
murdered the captain, Thomas G.. Whitney.
Mr.. Madison reported on his arrival that at half-
past Two A. NJ OF the Both September he was walked
from his sleep by Kelly, who said that he had had
scule with Captain Whitney, aud during the scunlo
the captain had fallen overheard. lie had not hove
the ship 10, did he report it until half an hour
play the second mate put IN irons, and Mr. Mad
son beng the only onicor on board put into 81.
Thomas
STATEMENT OF THE NATE.
The following Is tho statement OF Mr. Madison to the
American Consult
We lett New YORK on September II, bound for San
Francisco Nothing remarkable occurred until septem
ber29, in latitude "a deg 26 min NJ longitude A deg.
II MN W A. hspas Two Ns,,x L NJ s WAS called lie oy Dy
had trouble witt tho captain that they came TO blows,
and that the struggle the captain had gone over
u.
Kelly said 1t had happened half an hour before The
moon obscured, the night dark and squally, and
nothing could be done toward looking for Captain
Whitney, as l had no ono send in boat
II the event had just happened, and the BOAT was
be pUs in uR rons to which he made no obecon n
deed, he himself suggested It. asked Kelly how 1t
happened He said he was taking in the port light to
have IL trimmed, when the old man (meanng Captain
Whitney,, asked why he was dong that, which was
saors work. Kelly replied he thought that was part
of his duty The captain called him "damned
lar
then the captain struck him, when they cinched and
X n9 y a s hm cali
try the captain Kelly replied hc didn't know
what ne was about Kelly was embarrassed ana con-
fused throughout tho interview ne made NO objection
to being put In irons in which he was kept TIL the ship
reached ST. Thomas.
rRAcKs OF BLOOD POUND.
None OF tho crew, except the man at tho wheel, will
admit that they heard the slightest scuffle. He was
inside there icing wheehouse and heard hghting,
but knew nothing and said nothing. There are some
circumstances which indicate that kollys story is not
the whole story. Spots OF blood can be seen
sometimes recned and the port side Of the vessel
streaks apparently OF blood may still be seen. The
ance on the morning OF the 10Th OF having pecn
swabbed during the night also appears that Kelly
did not ship as mate he being appointed to the
position by Captain Whitney after leaving port, the
mate who shipped not having come on board In time
apparent cause. Captain Whitney was said to have
been well liked by his crew.
ACTION OF THE CONSUL.
Mr.. Volney q. smith, the American Consul, has
already begun Investigation, but with what result
has not transprcd but IT is reported that nothing has
come yet TO clear up the mystery
Mr.. Madison the mate In charge mas telegraphed to
his owners In New York asking Tor INSTRUCTIONS. IL
Francisco on the arrival OF a master to be sent out
from New York by Thomas Dunham's Nephew & Co,
the owners The ship sailed in Simonson Howes
line Of vessels Tor San francisco.
The second mate, Kelly, will be sent homo for trial,
and Henry Wheeler seaman, who was at the wheel at
the time, Is detained, and will DO sent homo for ex-
ANIMATION.