Glasgow Courier. — 1853-03-19 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

MASSACRE OF THE OFFICERS OF THE ENGLISH SHIP BERENICE, AND BURNING OP TOP VESSEL.  A most tragical event was made known at Lloyd's on Toes lay, us having unhappily befallen the master, his lady, and officers of the Englislr ship Berenice, in the Straits of Gasper, while on a voyage to Sydney, who were horribly murdered on board, and their ship afterwards destroyed by fire. A previous mail had given rise to some fears of a vessel having been burnt in the Straits, and an impression was entertained that the ill-fated ship was the Berenice, which was missing; and from the fact of some of the fragments of the wreck having hcen picked up bearing the Berenice', initials, little doubt was felt In the matter. Much anxiety then arose as to the fate of those on board, who comprised Capt. Candy, his wife, fifst and second mates, a Frenchman (a passenger for Australia), two servants of Mrs. Candy, and about 35 hands. With the exception of the officers, there were but few Europeans among the crew, who for the most part were Java and Manilla men. The ship sailed on the 6th of June from Singapore for Shanglise, and then from that port to Sydney on the 4tls of November, with the intention of calling at Java. Several of the crew evinced a strong desire to leave the vessel on her reaching that island, bat the captain holding out an increase of wages and additional rations Intake the ship on to Sydney, they were induced to remain, and the vessel proceeded. Nothing was heard of her until about the 10th of December, when a report reached Marabaya, the residence of Toga of the remains of a burned wreck having been discovered in the Straits. Ada. or two previously a boat containing fifteen persons arrived at Marabaya, who. on landing, dispersed themselves inland before the authorities had time to institute inquiries about them; and on the day following another boat came in with a similar number, and the same character of Olen, a mixture of Java and Manilla men. When interrogated they stated that they were the crew of a prahu belonging to Rhio, laden with gambrie, ul,leh they repressnted had capsixed, and that a boy had been drowned. The who'e of them adhering to that one statement, they were released, their story at the time being believed to be true. The police, however, had their suspicion aroused by the conduct of some of the men, as they displayed much anxiety to part froin each other's company audio leave the place, and it was not until they lied been , subjected to a most searching Inquiry that the truth was revealed. Some of them et length confessed to having belonged to the Berenice, and to the horrible fate which the captain and his officers met with. According to their representations, it seems that, on the 2d of December, a mutiny broke out amongst several of the Manilla men, on accomit, as alleged, of the master not having ailo‘sed the.n the additional rations which he had Previously proinised. About midnight they got Mr. Candy on the quarter-deck, when they horribly murdered him tlis wife, Inaring his cries, rushed on deck with too of the officers, wl en they also immediately fell a sacrifice. The thirst mate and the French passenger, who witnessed the tragedy, leaped overboard to escape the vengeance of the wretches, and perished. Mrs. Candy's servants shared a similar fate as their unhappy inistress. The whole of the bodies, with weights attachesl to them, were hurled into the sea. The ringleaders then took to plunder the ship of everything that was portable; and, after sonic two or three days' riotous living on board, they commenced destro) in her. Having lowered the boa s, they kindled a fire in several parts of her, and when she had got completelyalight they abandoned her. Bv:the last accounts the authorities were using every effiort to bring the principal actors in the barbarous acts of piracy and murder to justice, and 43 many as nine had been lodged in the jail of Togel. The Berenice was freiglted with a valuable cargo of tea, and her loss is, therefore, considerable.—Morning Post.