Colonial Times Tuesday 29 March 1831 p.4
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/8645741
Admiralty Sessions.
These Sessions were resumed on Thursday morning, pursuant to adjournment, before Sir C. Robinson, Mr, Baron Bolland, Mr. Justice Bosanquet, and a Bench of Civilians.
STEALING THE BRIG CYPRUS.—William Swallow alias Waldon, George Davis alias Huntley, Alexander Stevenson alias Telford, John Beveridge alias Anderson, and William Watts alias Williams, were indicted for piratically stealing on the 5th of September, 1829, near the coast of Van
Diemen's Land, the ship called the Cyprus, with the tackle, &c. the property of his Majesty, on the high seas, and within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty of England.—Mr. Wightman opened the prosecution, and Dr. Jenner, the King's advocate, stated the particulars of the ease. Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Bodkin appeared as Counsel for the prisoners.—Popjoy was the first witness called, and his
evidence was to the same effect as that given at the Thames Police-office. The Cyprus was employed to convey convicts from Hobart Town to Macquarie Harbour; the prisoners were among them. The ship lay at anchor in Research Bay, when Popjoy, Lieutenant Carew, who had charge of the vessel, Lieutenant Williams, the chief mate, and a soldier, went ashore to fish. Shortly after, the convicts overpowered the soldiers, who were on board, and took possession of the ship ; they refused to allow the Lieutenant or his party to come on board ; they at the same time put the Lieutenant's wife and children in a boat, and sent them ashore ; Swallow, who appeared to take the most active part ; was forced to do so by the convicts, and had scarcely recovered from a severe illness.—The prisoner Swallow, in his defence, said he was forced to assist in the management of the ship by the convicts, and that he did it much against his own inclination.
—The Jury, after remaining out of Court for two hours and three quarter, returned with a verdict of Acquittal as against Swallow, but finding the prisoners, Davis, Watts, Stevenson, and Beveridge Guilty, recommending the two latter prisoners to mercy, on the ground that they bad taken no active part in the mutiny.—The prisoners were then called up for judgment, and the proclamation having, in the, usual solemn manner, been made Sir Christopher Robinson then passed the awful sentence of Death upon the four prisoners ; and turning to the Jury, told them that their recommendation with
respect to Stevenson and Beveridge, should be attended to.
Notes
see Seizure of the "Cyprus Brig" in Recherche Bay
see Cyprus Brig
