The Sun. — 1834-09-12 (London, England)

THAMES POLICE.  Yesterday, Mr. William Youngson, the chief officer of the Flora West Indiaman, was brought before Mr. BRODERip, charged with wilfully and maliciously shooting at Daniel Ferguson, a seaman belonging to the ship Ludlow, with intent to murder or do him some grievous bodily harm. The investigation created must interest, and lasted several hours. The office was crowded to excess.  Daniel Ferguson, the prosecutor, deposed that on the 13th of May both ships were in Annatto Bay, in the island of Jamaica. A boat race took place that day, in which the Ludlow's people were the victors, and they had a dance and merrymaking on :board, and their Captain gave them leave to invite the seamen of the other ships in the bay ; and he was sent by the second mate of the Ludlow with his compliments to invite the second mate of the Flora. Another man accompanied him in the boat to the Flora, and, on his arrival alongside, he saw Mr. Youngson standing at the gangway, and told him his errand. The prisoner said that he did not allow any of his men to go out of his ship after eight o'clock, but, as they were going to have a bit of fun, he might speak to the second mate, and he could go if he thought proper. He went forward and spoke to the second mate, who, after going aft and speaking to his chief officer, declined the invitation. He then got into the boat with the intention of returning to the Ludlow, when the prisoner said " Stop a bit ; who is that in the boat ?" While he was on board one of the Flora's men had got into the boat, but he was not aware of it until that moment. The prisoner then told him to stop on the gangway. He remained there five minutes, when he got tired, and said he was not going to stop there all night, for he intended to go back to his own ship. He got down the side of the Flora, and put his foot on the fender, on which William Taylor, his shipmate, caught hold of his leg, hauled the boat alongside, and they shoved off for the Ludlow. The prisoner then sang out, " Who's that in that boat ?" John Oliver, belonging to the Flora, made answer, "It is me? The prisoner called out, " Bring that boat alongside directly, or, d--n me, I will fire into you." Oliver replied, " Fire at us ! I suppose we are not on board a man-otrar yet ?" The prisoner instantly went aft, and returned with a gun, which he presented at them, but it flashed in the pan. He presented it a second time, and it again flashed in the pan. The third time it went off. He did not know for a minute that he was shot, but he felt something like a wound, and felt the blood issuing from several wounds. He told his shipmate and Oliver to give way, for he was shot, and they pulled as hard as they were able for the Ludlow. He had just strength enough to get up the ship's side, when he fell back into his shipmate's arms. He was quite insensible all night, and remained under the doctor for eleven days. Eight shots entered his body, and only one, which was taken out of his shoulder, had been extracted. The other seven were still in his body.—(The witness, who appears to be still suffering from the effects of the wounds, produced a shirt saturated with gore and perforated with eight shot-holes. It seemed that three had entered his side, and four his thigh.) Mr. BRoDE air asked the witness if he now felt any illeffects from his wounds ? Ferguson—Yes, Sir, I feel great difficulty in climbing the rigging, and when I get aloft I am obliged to wait two or three minutes to recover my breath. I shall never get over it.  In answer to further -- questions by the MAGISTRATES, Ferguson said that the steward touched his chief officer on the shoulders, when he presented the gun, and told him he was doing wrong.  Mr. 13 -., li."‘IRODERIp • d you hear him say that ? Ferguson—No, Sir ; brit the steward told me so. Mr.