The Sun. — 1861-02-16 (London, England)

DARING ROBBERY AND SUPPOSED MURDER  AT FALMOUTH.  Great consternation prevailed at Falmouth on Thursday, in consequence of an extensive robbery having been committed on board a vessel in Falmouth Harbour, and the supposed murder of the mate, and an attempt to murder the apprentice boy belonging to the same vessel. It appears that the schooner Viscata, of Aberayron, from Portsmouth, David Jones, master, in ballast, put into Falmouth, on Sunday last, having sailed from Portsmouth on Saturday morning. The crew consisted of the master, the mate, Martin Haly, of Cork, who is described as a short set man, having no whiskers, aged 25, two seamen, who gave their names as John Brown, aged 25, and William Ellis, aged 19, and James Jones, an apprentice aged 18. Brown and Ellis shipped at Portsmouth. The vessel was lying in St. Just Creek, in Falmouth harbour, and on Tuesday the captain came ashore in company with Brown, Ellis, and the mate, leaving the apprentice on board. On Wednesday afternoon the captain and the three same parties left in their boat to go on board another vessel in Falmouth harbour; the captain and mate remained there, but the two seamen, Brown and Ellis, left to go to the Viscata, it being then about five or six o'clock in the afternoon. About eight or nine o'clock the same evening, the mate also left the vessel to go on board the Viscata, and at about half-past 10 the captain, accompanied by Capt. W.Jon es,of the schooner City of Chester,also went on board, when to their great astonishment and alarm they found no one on board but the apprentice boy, who was then in the cabin quite insensible, blood flowing freely from his head, and lying in his blood in the cabin. His head was severely cut, the skull bone being broken an inch deep; the state-room had been broken open, locks wrenched off, the captain's clothes, his watch, two £5 notes, four sovereigns, and 10s. in silver stolen, the ship's register and other documents removed, and a great deal of property damaged. From the large quantity of blood on deck, and other matter, as if from vomiting, it appeared that a scuffle had taken place there, and it is feared that the mate, who it is supposed came on board before he was expected, was also attacked. Although every search has been made for him, be has not been heard of, and it is supposed that he was murdered and thrown overboard. The apprentice, who is removed to the Sailors' Home, is recovered a little, and states that he did not go on deck ; that the two seamen, Brown and Ellis, came down in the cabin to him ; that Brown struck him on the head with a piece of iron, and from that time he was insensible, but that he never saw or heard the mate. Both Ellis and Brown were apprehended at Falmouth, each having on at that time some of the captain's clothes. There was also found on them two £5 notes, two sovereigns, the captain's watch, and some silver. They were brought before Jacob Olver, Esq., mayor, and Thomas Rogers, Esq., and the case is remanded until Monday. The two prisoners slept at the King's Arms on Wednesday night, and on being asked for the mate, said that "he was gone ; he was no good." Ellis says that he belongs to Brighton, and Brown that he is from Exeter. A piece of iron about 101bs. in weight, was found on board, with blood on it, to which was attached some human hair from the head. The boat belonging to the schooner is missing. The prisoners were observed to enter the George and Dragon beerhouse on Thursday morning, and they ran through at the backdoor, making their escape over a wall before they were captured. They are both delicate looking young men, and not such as would be supposed to commit such a dreadful deed.