The Sun. — 1846-11-05 (London, England)

LOSS OF A. WHALING SHIP.  MASSACRE OF HER CREW. For several months'anxiety has been felt regarding the fate of a whaling' ship, named the Cape Packet, Captain Powell, last from Sydney, and twenty. eight seamen, her crew. We regret to state that information has now been received from Sydney that the unfortunate vessel (which has been missing two years) had fallen into the hands of the natives of the New Hebrides, Sandwich Islands, and those belonging to her, excepting four hands, savagely murdered. The particulars have been reported by Captain Jones, of the barque Elizabeth, which arrived at Sydney from the New Hebrides, on the 9th of June, having had a narrow escape of meeting a similar fate. The Elizabeth, it appeared, touched at the Sandwich Islands, the master intending to procure some sandal-wood, vegetables, &c., and finding the natives to all appearance friendly, cast anchor close to land. Several natives were allowed to remain all night on board. Among them was a New Zealander, who was recognise& by one of the Elizabeth crew, as one of the party who sailed in the unfot tunate whaler. The pilot taxed him with it, and after a deal of hesitation, he admitted the truth of the asset tion. The account he give s of the affair (being able to speak English fluently), is, that two or three days after the vessel's arrival, three boats were sent off to the shore for water, and whila the, crew were so employed, the natives attacked them, and every one of them were killed. The canoes then pushed off fo the ship, on board of which were Captain Powell, ten English, and four colour, d men. They were permitted to came upon deck, Captain Powell being unconscious of the fato of those whom he had sent ..shore. For a few minutes they behaved themselves in their usual friendly manner; having surrounded their victims, the signal was given, and the slaughter cot:time:l:ed. The attack was so sudden, that not the least resistance could be made ; the captain, with the whole of the crew, were killed, The four coloured men were not molested. The bodies of the murdered crew were taken ashore and dlevoured. The ship was then ransacked and pillaged of everything of value. She had 700 barrels of sperm oil on board, but the casks were broken up for the purpose of getting the iron hoop ; and after stripping the ship, securing the fire-arms, powder, &c., she was set on fire and totally consumed. Three of the men whose lives had been spared by the natives bad managed to escape from the island in a canoe, and had been taken an board by a French vessel. The native of New Zealand was brought in by the Elizabeth. Captain Jones, of the latter, is of opinion that an attempt would have been made to have taken his ship but for the timely notice given by the survivor of the Cape Packet. The natives had made every preparation, and were observed leaving a creek in their canoes, when the ship had weighed anchor and was putting out to sea. The Cape Packet it is said was a vessel barque-rigged, 300 tons lurthen. With her contents her loss is estimated at between 18,000/. and 20,000/.  SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY,  EXETER HALL  The first meeting for the season of the Sacred Harmonic Society took place last evening. The first part of the performance consisted of a miscellaneous selection of sacred music ; the second, of Sphor's magnificent overture, The Last Judgment. In the first part we had a Te Deum and a Jubilate, the composition of His Royal Highness Prince Albert, which prove that His Royal Highness is an excellent and sound musician. The choral writing in these compositions is very fine, and the voices blend together most effectively.- Miss Dolby's execution of " Clouds o'ertake," from Handel's now almost forgotten oratorio of Susannah, was the vocal gem of the first part. The Last Judgment of Sphor is now, thanks to the exertions of the Sacred Harmonic Society, as familiar to the lover of sacred music as the Messiah of Handel. It was admirably given last evening by Misses Birch and Dolby, and Messrs. Hobbs and Phillipps. The duet "Forsake me not" was exquisitely given by Miss Birch and Mr. Hobbs. The hall was crowded in every part.