The British bark “Sutton,” which could not obtain a market for her living cargo at Mauritius, with the English ensign flying at her peak, anchored boldly off the island of Réunion, and sold her cargo at 40l. sterling per head, realizing the sum of 2,600l.
Captain Joseph Wilson also found a market for his vessel, and sold the “Sutton” for 1,600l. sterling. Whether the ship was as much his property as the natives of Byron Island whom he had stolen and sold, I know not, but it appears that he left Réunion with 4,200l., and repaired to Port Louis, Mauritius.
Captain Wilson was accompanied to the Mauritius by William Henry Meadows, an American citizen, William Ferrier, and, I believe, four of the natives forming the crew of Ferrier’s canoe.
Meadows, as far as I recollect, was the mate of the “Sutton,” and he was obliged to appeal to the American consuls to make Captain Wilson provide a passage for him and the four natives of Byron Island to Sydney. The American consul refusing to interest himself for William Ferrier, who was an Englishman, application was made to His Excellency the Governor of Mauritius, to provide a passage for the unfortunate man to Sydney, from which port it was expected the authorities would forward him to Byron Island. The man Ferrier was at Port Louis during my stay there, and I saw him on two occasions.
I have heard that a prosecution, instituted by the authorities at Sydney, against Captain Joseph Wilson, of the late British barque “Sutton,” failed, from some cause with which I am unacquainted, and that this affair has caused much indignation at Sydney.
In the Mercantile Marine List there are four master-mariners holding certificates under the name of Joseph Wilson; but having been informed that there was no difficulty in identifying the person referred to as the perpetrator of the above outrage, so degrading to our national character, and that he was in England some months since, I did what I conceived was my duty to the cause of humanity by dragging this thief to justice; and if he has not received that punishment which he so richly deserves, it is from no dereliction of duty on my part.
From the perusal of such a perfidious act it is a pleasant relief to turn to that of one of the noblest deeds of the many which have been performed by the mercantile marine of Great Britain. While at Port Louis I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Captain Castle, of the “Sarah Sands;” and as my wife had seen that vessel on her first visit to the United States, where she was gazed upon at that time as a prodigy of marine construction, we made up a small party to visit the wreck of this once noble ship.
We found her lying in the inner harbour; and, looking at her hull, one would never expect to see the ruin which a view from the remaining portions of her deck presented to the astonished spectators. This vessel was bound with troops to India, and when about 200 miles off the island of Mauritius she was reported to be on fire. Immediately the usual measures for overcoming this frightful calamity were resorted to by those on board. Large supplies of water were furnished from all parts of the ship to destroy the destroyer; but it was found that the fire was too powerful for the rival element, and that it was closely adjoining a considerable portion of powder, which was stowed away in the after-compartment of the vessel.
The cool commanding mind of Captain Castle was equal to the emergency; and well did he prove himself deserving of the command of one of the finest vessels in our mercantile navy. Order was maintained throughout; and to the exertions of the noble crew of the “Sarah Sands,” led by their gallant commander, and seconded by the admirable discipline of the troops on board, the safety of all may unquestionably be attributed.