The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-06-21
TO MURDER THE CAPTAIN.
The Peril of Vessel Manned by NIutinous
Sailors.

Savannah, Ga, June 16-(Special. THE
News prints interesting story of mutiny
at sea. The bark, Ormus, of PHILADELPHIA,
Captain Robert Witbank, is in port after
a severe experience with storms and a mll-
hnous crew. The Ormus sailed from Mo
bile May 18th with a cargo of lumber for
Queenstown for orders. The vessel ex-
Ierlenced heavy weather in the Gulf of
Mexico and the straits of Florida. On the
fourth day out the ship sprang leak. The
Windmill pump was started on May 25th.
In the straits of Florida, with the wind
blowing gale, the pump broke and the
captain was compelled to order the men to
the pumps. Three of them refused to go
aid were mutinous throughout the passage
From the 10Th to the 10Th the winds were
variable and battling. The vessel finally
drifted the Little Bahama banks, and
anchored off Memory Rock. She had la
bored very heavily in the previous heavy
weather, which caused the leak to increase,
and on anchoring there were ten feet of wa
ter in the hold. The vessel rode at an
Choir for nine days, until June It'll, dur
ing which time she was visited several times
by wreckers, but their assistance was re-
fused OWING to the exorbitant terms The
vessel had by this time been pumped out
by the crew. She again got under way
and proceeded for port of refuge.
The captain and the few men of the
crew who turned to displayed a good deal
of patience and good seamanship bringing
the vessel to port in the condition she was
in and especially as they were handicapped
by three of the crew who had refused to
do duty. While the vessel was being made
fast to the dock Joseph Burnett, one of the
recalcitrants, escaped over the side and
deserted The other two, Charles Mat
took and James Flood were up in the fore
castle and watch was placed on deck
In some way they also got out and desert
ed. While at Venus Point on Monday
afternoon James Flood. one of the mutt
neers, made the following startling state
ment, which he signed:
], James Flood, seaman board bark
Ormns, do solemnly declare and say that we,
did conspire together to kill Captain Wilt
bank and Mr.. With, the mate, and to throw the
steward overheard, also to take charge of the
vessel. Mattock said he could navigate the
vessel. 1 further say that Charles Mattock
was the main mover in the matter, backed up
by Joseph Burnett, and that they induced me
to join them, and we tried to get the second
mate. steward and Frans Ghessclle to join
US, and after found that Frans did not
want to join us whipped him to try and
was afraid if did not that Mattock and Bur
nett would kill me. | further declare that all
place on board the vessel was caused by Mat
took and Burnett and not through and fault
of the captain or officers. | make this declara
ton freely, feeling that l have done wrong
and feeling sorry for It.
The statement is recorded in the log
book and was witnessed by several of the
crew. The deserving mutineers. it is claim
cd. were shipped on board bark which
sailed yesterday The Norwegian bark
Peabody. sailed yesterday morning for Lon
don and it is hardly probable that they
went on her, as she had her full compile
ment of men.
1850 "Bro,Cns Bronchial 1r0cItes' were in
troduced, and their success as cure tor Colds,
Coughs, Asthma and Bronchitis has been I'M
paraleled.