The Hawaiian gazette., 1893-02-28
A FATAL FALL.
4 Drunken Sailor Drowned on
the Water Front.
A Row ON Board Of the Bark Matilda
Results in the Death OF
Alfred stevens.
From DAILY. Feb. 2s.l

kEAcAA AO's -osl
News was circulated around the
city yesterday that a foul murder had
been committed on board the Ameri-
can bark Matilda, which is lying az
Robinson's wharf. A representative
Of this paper called on Captain Sven
son who willing gave the following
statements concerning the unfortu-
nate affair:
During Tuesday night, Alfred Ste
vens and Fred Godfrey, both seamen
on board the Matilda, entered into a
quarrel. They were intoxicated, Ste
vens being more so. Another sailor
by the name of Patrick Comfy inter
fered with the men, and they both
turned their attention to Comfy, who
was perfectly sober. The quarrel in
creased, and all the men went on
Robinson's wharf to settle their differ
ences. Stevens and Godfrey COM
bined themselves against Comfy, but
the latter being too much of scien-
tific fighter for them, they gave up in
disgust. All the three men then re-
turned to the vessel. At 1890 o'clock
on Wednesday morning, the captain
was awakened from his slumber by
Stevens, who wanted revolver
from the captain. The officer
ordered Stevens out Of the
cabin, but the latter resisted.
Comfy then came aft and said, al will
take him forward" Both men went
out of the cabin while the Captain
remained within. Stevens again re-
sisted, and Godfrey soon came to his
aid, wishing to overcome Comfy. Dav.
id Sinclair seeing this, ran toward
them aud tried to quiet down the un-
ruly men. Finding the two men get
ting too desperate Comfy and Sinclair
ran away. Comfy went on the wharf
while Sinclair hid himself on the yes
sci. Stevens and Godfrey then de-
clared themselves masters of the stu
alton and defied any one to make
them keep still. They went forward
and mounted the gallant foreeastle,
and with capstan bars in their hands,
they stood near the gangway waiting
for either Comfy or Sinclair to come
at the same time soothing
their minds by calling their foes the
hardest names they could think Of.
Captain Swenson ut this moment
began to get weary of the wild per-
formances of his men. He then sfyly
apt down into his boat, which was
tied near the stern, and rowed to the
boat landing, from whence be pro-
ceeded hastily to the Police Station to
call the police to his aid. The Cap
tain could have silenced the ''funny
business of the men by force, but he
did not care to assume so great a re-
sponsibility.
In few minutes five policemen and
Captain SwensOn arrived at the wharf
aud they mounted the gang plank
half way when they were met with
stern remarks from Stevens and God
frey, "We'll kill you all If you come
lbOard.n The policemen seeing that
The men were standing at the head of
yangway welding their bars in an in
uriated manner, the men considered
t not safe for them to advance, so
hey retreated to the wharf.
Before the arrival Of the policemen,
Comfy had swan to the vessel, and
lad got aboard by means of a rope.
He discovered from some of the men
hat Stevens had been to his bunk to
get a razor. Comfy then approached
Stevens and Godfrey on the gallant
oreeastle and tried to take away the
'azor. The three men struggled des-
in the dark while the police
men were standing on the wharf.
During the struggle, Alfred Stevens,
IN Australian, % years of age, fell
,verboard from the starbOard bow. It
vas believed that his head struck the
luke of the anchor during the fall.
Stevens did not rise again. Godfrey
It the same time threw overheard the
,ars. The policemen on the wharf
leard something drop into the water,
,ut could not find out what it was as
he night was dark. When Stevens
ell overheard, Godfrey, his cOmpan-
on, cooled down. The policemen
oarded the vessel and arrested him
nd lodged him in the Station House
Or the night. Comfy made several
ttempts to find the body Of Stevens
DON after the fatal fall, but was un-
uccessful. At o'clock, Captain
wensOn ordered his men to use fish
Ooks to find the body, but this search
'as again unsuccessful. At2:3O O'Clock
afternoon, the Government
liver came with his diving apparatus,
nd he found the body after search
1g half an hour. The body was found
wing underneath the keel near the
ow. Ii was taken 10 the station
here an examination was made by
'r. Peterson. Two ugly gashes were
,und on the skull besides other mu-
latiOns about the face and head.
Marshal Ashley at once impanelled
c0rOner'S Jury which IL Is expected