Glasgow Courier. — 1846-11-12 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

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 flora 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 eiese 44,441, veral natives were allowed to remain all night on Among them was a New-Zealander, whewas recognised by one of the Elizabeth crew' as one of the party who sailed in the unfortunate whaler. The pilot taxed him with it, and after is deal of hesitation, he admitted the truth of the assertion. The account he gives 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 while the crew were so employed, the natives attacked them, and every one of them were killed. The canoes then pushed off to the ship, on board of which were Captain Powell, ten English, and four coloured men. They were permitted to come upon deck, Capt. P. being unconscious of the fate of those whom he sent ashore. For a few minutes they behaved themselves In their usual friendly manner. Having surrounded their victims, the signal was given, and the slaughter commenced. '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 devoured. 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 hoops; and after stripping the ship, securing the fire-arms, powder, &c., she was net on fire and totally consumed. Three of the men whose lives had been spared by the natives had managed to escape from the island in a canoe, and had been taken on 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 take 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 ancr was putting out to sea. The Cape Packet, it is said, was a vessel barque rigged, 300 tons burthen. With her contents her loss is estimated at between £lB,OOO and £20,000.  board.  - - - - -- -Killing made Easy.--ldr. Dixon of Lynn, Massachusetts, has made a cannon which, by the simple movement of a brake will prime, load, and discharge itself. We learn that a similar invention is shortly to be brought out in this city. .It is worked by machinery, like clock work. When loaded, it moves off on a rail track to a distance of 300 yards, fires ten shots and returns to its first position, to be wound up again. Another improvement is being added to the rotary gun Which was recently exhibited at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It consists of an engine, similar to a locomotive, mounted on four pair of wheels. It is made to throw five hundred balls ma inn te, without the use of gunpowder. It regulates itself, and also moves on a rail track, to the distance of a quarter of a mile, fires its load of MOO balls in five minutes, mowing down all before it in a quarter of a circle, then reverses its wheels of itself, and returns to be replenished with balls, coal and water!