The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1884-04-25 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDIES AT SEA.  Details received from Brisbane furnish • terrible story of mutiny and murder on board the Swedish brig Nitta, in the passage from Boston t o Brisbane. Captain Estrom early one morning was roused from sleep by an axe-cut on the right jaw and neck. He turned around and saw the carpenter aiming another blow at him, which he partially stopped with his hand, so that the cut did not go so deep. Toe weep .n used by the carpenter was a long-handled carpenter's axe. The ca tit sin warded off this stroke too, and wrenched the axe from him. The gement r than drew a knife and drove the bla ie into the captain's neck. Assistance b-ing at hand the carpenter mWe off. It was subsequently found that the men were in a state of mutiny. Toe captain and ether officers haying armed themselves succeeded in driving the men below, wiser° they were secured, the hatches being battened down. It was then discovered that tie second mate had been murdered by a stroke from an axe, and his body thrown overbo ad. It wsis also found that hile the carpenter was att ecking the cewain with the axe, a a silor named Turton went into the first mate's c shin and shot him twice with • revolver in the head. The first shot took effect under the right eye, the second in the chin. The mate sprang out of his berth, and, after some straggling, succeeded in wresting the revolver from him. A bullet had entered the turVia's head between the lac se and the eye, and remained embedded in the wound. The bullet that struck him in the chin cool I be felt beneath the chin. The bullet under tae chin was extricated. The mutineers having been battened down, much noise was heard in the hold during the n'ght. Next day more noise was heard from the forecastle, as though the men were cutting their way through with knives. The captain began to fear the worst, especially as there was a petroleum cask accessible. Captain Eetrom, on the third day, in fear of their own safety, resolved to shoot the ring'eaders on the first oppoit onity. Accordingly, in the afternoon the captain and mat went forward, armed each with a gun and revolver. The hatches were raised, and the mutineers were summoned to some on deck and give up their arms. The carpenter said "Yes," and came up with the knives. When all hal come up, the hatches were fastened down, and the captain ordered them to stand separately, two on ens stele of the vessel and two on the other. He then levelled his gun at Torten, shot him in the side, and threw him overboard Trite carpenter, tearing a -imilar fate, tried to run aft, but was prevented by the mate. He then got behind the others, so that the captain could not get a fair shot at him. The other man, however, stooped down, and the captain shot him in the shoulder. The carpent r did not drop immediately, but lan about the deck. The captain follow ed, and shot him in the back, when he immedietsly fell, and the others, by the captain's orders, threw the body overboard. The decks were then washed down to remove the blood. The ether two men, on bt ins asked if they were willing to work and behave well, replied in the affirmative, and were given food, and went to work willingly enough. Everything that could be used as a ter upon was brought at and locked up. Daring the night handcuffs Were put on the steward. The remainder of the voyage passed without any incident we rth recording, till the Natal oast anchor in the Brisbane roadist.iad. The three prisoners, who are all young men, are at present in custody until the consul can find means to ship them to Sweden, where they will be tried under the laws of that country for mutiny and murder.