The Sun. — 1858-11-11 (London, England)

ABRIDGED NOTES OF A CRUISE BY HER MAJESTY'S SHIP IRIS.  Her Majesty's ship Iris, Captain Loring, arrived on the 6th inst. from her cruise to the South Sea Islands, principally to inquire into the murder of the crew of the Gazelle, by the natives of Woodlark Island ; and the death of Captain Outtrim, of the Ann and Jane, who was killed while landing at Tana. The following is an extract from her report : June 30.—Anchored of Black Beach, Tana ; the Terror, Edwards ; New Forest, Mare, Hirondelle, Rodd, were at anchor, trading with the natives. Seised Wan-Attaway, chief of the Wagus tribe, who murdered the captain and part of the crew of the schooner Anne and Jane.  July I.—Moved to Wagus, fired a few rounds of shot and shell to clear the savages from the woods; the small-arm party then landed under the command of Lieutenants Deane and Bell, RN., the marines under Lieut. Bent, R.M., accompanied by the boats of the sandal-wood traders. The party burnt several villages, and destroyed great quantities of cocoanut and bread-fruit trees, also bannana, yams, &c. Unfortunately Mr. Edward M. Tupper, mate, Capt. Barrack, and two men were separated in the dense underwood from the main party; surrounded by great numbers of savages. Capt. Barrack and one seaman made their way through them and regained the party. Mr. Tupper and Mr. Kennedy, captain of hold, were killed. Mr. Tupper's body was immediately after recovered ; Kennedy's we never saw. About two p.m. the party reembarked. -  July 2.—Landing party again proceeded on shore, and continued the work of destruction, the savages not attempting to molest them. Made sail, and buried Mr. Tupper's body. Anchored off Black Beach. It is impossible to ascertain even the probable number of savages killed, their own reports being the only authority ; but as the only object was to destroy property, and not life, it is not likely that many were killed. The effect on the islanders, we hear, has been very good ; they now dread the visit of • " fighting. ship." July B.—Anchored in billon's Bay, Erromango, landed Wan-Attaway, chief of the Wagus tribe, and placed him in custody of Capt. Edwards. July 21.—Arrived at Woodlark Island ; going in the ship struck upon a rock; the harbour is danFerous, being full of detached rock, and the passage intricate ; for several days the strong trade wind prevented our doing anything. July 27.—The landing party, under the same officers as at Tana, proceeded on shore, burnt the villages, canoes, and other property of the Guasup tribe, as a punishment for the murder of the crew of the Gazelle, in 1855 ; the savages offered no opposition. The canoes and houses of the Woodlark islanders were much superior to any of the other islanders. It was clearly explained to two of the natives. who understood a little English, the reason this punishment was inflicted.  The Sydney Morning Herald remarks on the above as follows :  Her Majesty's ship Iris has returned from a cruise in that part of the island-world known as Melanesia, undertaken for the purpose of investigating and punishing certain murderous attacks upon white traders in that quarter. Only two places, however, have been visited for this purpose Tana and Woodlark Island. At Tana (one of the new Hebrides) a good many islanders have been killed, the village and trees destroyed, and the chief of the offending tribe carried away. At Woodlark Island, a village and canoes, &C., have been destroyed. The people of three villages at this island were combined in the cold-blooded slaughter of the Gazelle's crew, but only one has been visited with punishment. Of the two white captives said to be detained at this place we hear nothing. At Tana two officers of the Iris were cut off by the natives from the main body and were killed. The people of Tana have long borne a very bad name. Like the rest of the New Hebrideans, they are of the Papuan (or Polynesian Negro) race ; their stature is very low, both physically and socially. But we have heard rumours of some terrible acts of cruelty among these people by white visitors and traders, in times not very remote, and it is hard to say how far some of the worst acts of the Wanders may not have been of a retaliatory character, rather than the outbreaking of sheer bloodthirstiness. The visit of a man-of-war was necessary, and if these visits were more frequent it would be better. It is probable that ere long there will be a British consul resident at the new Hebrides, where such an cofaceZ is much needed.