The Weekly Gazette for Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Cleveland District. — 1879-03-29 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE CASWELL MUTINY.  At the Queenstown Petty Session on Wedneaday Joseph Pistorio, alias Francisco Moschera, was charged with being concerned in the Caswell mutiny on board the Caswell on the4th of January, 1876, and with the murder of Captain Best and other officers—namely, W. Wilson, chief mate; Allen McLean, second mate; and Griffiths (a negro) steward. The prisoner, who states his:real name is Mosohers a Sicilian, was defended by Mr O'Connell, solicitor, instructed by the Italian Consul. The Crown Solicitor attended to prosecute for the Crown. A printed book conI twining the mass of evidence given at the trial of Christos Bombos, two years ago, was referred to in the course of the examination. The prisoner spoke English, and the aid of an interpreter was not rendered necessary. The only witness produced today was James Carriok, who, as able seaman, navigated the Caswell into Queenstown.-11e deposed he was able seaman on board the Caswell on 28th September, 1875, when she was at Buenos Ayres. After naming the ports they called at after leaving that place, he proceeded to bay they had 14 or 15 hands on board, including three Greeks and two Maltese. They were Bound for Queenstown, and nothing particular occurred till the morning of the 4th January, 1876, when he saw Captain Best entangled with Big George, one of the Greeks. He had one of his arms round the captain's body, and his arm uplifted. The prisoner, whom lie identified, was at the wheel, and he saw him cunning from the wheel down the poop. The captain was then falling in Big George's hands. Saw a revolver in Pistorio's hand, heard the report, and saw the smoke. The smoke must! have come from a revolver in prisoner's hand. Saw the captain shortly after, and there was a small blue mark at the butt of the ear, and the bowels protruded. Shortly after he saw the second mate stabbed by Big George. He was stabbed in the leg, but just before he cried out "put her back" -- thaJ was, put the vessel back. The mate had reached the break,of the poop, and as he was running past he saw Bombo3 stab him. After detailing the circumstance; connected with the murder of the officials and the black steward, he stated that before the bodies had been thrown overboard tho prisoner walked back to the poop having the I revolver in his hand still, and, speaking English, said, "Get that kedge anchor alone The anchor was brought to where the bodies of the captain and second mate lay, when the prisoner cut the watch tackle, and with 'it lashed the bodies, the others assisting. The rope was then made fast, and the bodies heaved overboard. The prisoner called upon the carpenter and made him assist. After the tragedy Pistorio occupied one of the berths near the captain's Icabin. When off the River Plate, Pistorio with his brother left the vessel in a boat, taking with them several bags which , appeared full. They bid those on board good bye. Witness gave them a letter before leaving, signed by the English sailors on board, the substance of which was that a mutiny had occurred on board on the day ment:oned, specifying those who were murdered, and adding, " We are led to believe that George Pano, a Greek, intended going ashore at Cape San Antonias, he being the ringleader in the mutiny, and he has heed trying to get the rest of the men to sink the ship and the rest of the Englishmen on board. Joseph and Gaspar Pistorio have prevented him, and preserved the ship from being sunk and the rest of us murdered." The witness continued to say that they gave the Maltese that letter that they might give it to a man-of-war ship, in order to have assistance sent to them. The Maltese promised to do so, but they did not. Witness then' related the circumstances connected with the arrest of the prisoner at Monte Video at the beginning of the year.—ln reply to Mr J. T. O'Connell, solicitor for the defence, he stated the captain told him one day that the , prisoner warned him (the captain) that the I Greeks intended mischief. At the conclusion of the cross-examination the Crown Solicitor appealed for a farther remand, in ' order to procure Macgregor, the carpenter, who would attend in a week. The prisoner was then removed in custody, and the Court adjourned.