Lynchburg Daily Virginian

Terrible Massacre and Burning of a British Ship.

Information has been received of a tragical occurrence on board of the British ship Berenice, the master of which (Captain Cundy) with his wife, chief mate and others, have been massacred by the crew, who afterwards set fire to the vessel to prevent detection.

The Berenice sailed from Shanghai on the 15th of July, 1852, with a cargo of tea, for Sidney. Her crew, shipped at Singapore, consisted almost entirely of men from different parts of Netherland India, who, thinking there was much gold on board, conspired to take the vessel. The captain, mate and three seamen were killed at the outset: the captain's wife dragged from between decks, where she had flown, and thrown overboard.

A French passenger is also unaccounted for, and three Bengalese and Amboyna men were among the crew. All the money that the wretches got consisted of one hundred florins and forty Spanish dollars, which they divided among themselves, and it was agreed among them to sail for Tauban, and there to abandon the vessel, having set fire to it. The ship gaining Tagal, which was taken for Tauban, she was set on fire, and they took to the boats. Several were left behind and were burned in the vessel. Finding their mistake, on gaining the lights of Tagal, they were compelled to get rid of most of the plunder by throwing it overboard. The authorities, however, caused their arrest. Some of them confessed—four of the ring leaders were executed, and five others sentenced to twenty years banishment.