The Northern News. — 1896-12-26 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

STRANGE AFFRAY AT SEA.  The "Melbourne Argus publishes the following message from Brisbane, dated November Bth —A sersational affray on the high seas is reported by the master or the ship Blengfell, which arrived from New York this afternoon. During the voyage one of the hands, named John Godfrey, an American negro, was taken ill, and from August 1 was unable to work. On August 15 the captain visited him, and inquired as to the state of his health, the reply being that he was still ill and in about the same condition. On the same evening the captain was called out of his cabia and on going into the saloon he met two seamen, J. Silva and H. Wicks, bleeding profusely from wounds. Upon questioning them they declared that Godfrey had shot them. The captain states that he went on deck with his revolver. He then heard Godfrey say, from some part of the forecastle, "You'll shoot me, will you?" and at the same time a shot was fired at him. He did not return fire, but ordered everyone aft, whereupon the second mate reported that Samuel Lewis, a seaman, was lying on deck shot. This man died ten minutes later. As Godfrey refused to come up, a lookout was set for him. An examination was then made of the injuries received by Silva and Wick, who were discovered to have several bullet wounds in their bodies, though none of them were serious. They reported that they were asleep in their bunks at night when Godfrey fired at them. At a later hour further efforts were made by the master and the officers to capture Godfrey, but without success. Several shots were fired by him, and one of them just grazed the boatswain's cheek. Early next morning, August 16, the crew were going forward with their revolvers when Godfrey walked out of the forecastle into the open, and fired on them. Shots were exchanged, but without effect. The ship Maria Hackgeda then hove in sight, and was signalled to ask if the captain could let them have firearms, but he replied in the negative. More shots were fired during the day, but no injury was done. On the following day Godfrey was neither seen nor heard, and on the 18th it was decided to go forward at all risks. A rush was made info the forecastle, which, however, was empty. In Godfrey's hunk was found a written confession, stating that lie intended to shoot the two seamen, and asking that his effects might be thrown overheard after him. He had evidently committed suicide by jumping overboard.  In the Admiralty Court on Saturday, Mr. Justice, Gorell Barnes gave judgment in the claim of the owners, master, and crew of the Liverpool steamer Marino, for salvage services rendered to the steamer Forest Brook, of Newcastle-un-Tyne, off the coast of Newfoundland, in July last. The Court awarded £2,500—£1,875 to the owners, £225 to the master, and £4OO amongst the crew, according to rating. Two men named Bfumaford, father and son, after spending Saturday evening in drinking together at Minh/rook, Plymouth, quarrelled on their return home. The son, who is a very poweiful man, threw his father on to the bed on which his imbecile mother was lying. The father's head came in contact with one of the knobs of the bedstead, and the force of the blow was sufficient to cause almost instant death.. The sou is now in the hands of the