The Sun. — 1855-01-19 (London, England)

HORRIBLE MASSACRE AND BURNING  OF 4 BRITISH SHIP.  Information has been received of a tragical occurrence on board the British ship Berenice, the master of which (Capt. Cundy), with his wife, chief mate, and others have been massacred by the crew, who afterwards set fire to the ship and destroyed her, to prevent detection. The Berenice tailed from Shanghai on the 15th of July, 1852, with a cargo of tea for Sydney. Her crew, shipped at Singapore, consisted almost entirely of men from different parts of Netherland India. During the voyage two of the sailors, believing there was gold to a large amount on board, spoke of it to their comrades, and a plan was forthwith concocted for taking possession of the vessel (then near Anger) and assassinating the Europeans who were on board. The ringleaders, as far as could be proved, were the Serang, or boatsman's mate, known as " Alie," and seven of his tribe. Mr. Robarts, the mate, was enticed to the fore part of the ship by Alie, where he was instantly murdered. Capt. Cundy, the commander, who ran to his assistance, met with a similar fate, as also did three seamen, who interfered to save the captain's life. Mrs. Cundy was taken from between decks, whither she had flown for refuge, and thrown overboard. A French passenger, name unknown, who had joined at Shanghai, was not found on board, neither were three Bengatoes and Amboyna men who were among the crew. They must either have thrown themselves into the sea, or have been thrown overboard by others. This tragical scene completed, the murderers threw the bodies overboard, washed away all traces of blood, and then commenced searching for the gold supposed to be on board. All the money on board, however, consisted of about 100 florins and 40 Spanish dollars. The plunder was equally divided by Alie, and it was agreed among them to set sail for Tauban, there to abandon the vessel, after having set fire to it. The ship gaining Tagal, which wag takenfor Tauban by Alie and his party, she was set on fire, and they took to the boats. Several were left behind, and were burned in the vessel. Finding their mistake on gaining the heights they were compelled to get rid of most t of ftho e plunderf Tagal, by y throwing it overboard. They, however, iby their plausible story deceived the authorities of the place, who showed them every feeling of compassion, and provided them with means. Afterwards the discovery of the wreck of the burnt ship, and the bodies of some of the crew, excited suspicion ; and after a searching investigation before the magisterial officers of the place, the whole of the diabolical affair was elicited by some of the suspected confessing to the charges brought against them. The ringleaders, nine in number, were brought to trial in September last, when the entire of them were found guilty. Five of the prisoners were sentenced to 20 years' banishment, and the others were executed on the 13th of last October, in the public square in the principal part of Tagal. The things which during the trial helped to convict the prisoners, were a gold watch and chain, and some ornaments and clothing belonging to the late captain and his wife.