Part 0  George Howland  Whalesite  Part 2

Part 1.
First notices of capture and convicts depredations.

Daily Picayune

(New Orleans, Louisiana)
April 16, 1852

From South America.

      Movements Of Flores – The Panama papers learn by the British steamer Louisa, that Flores, was in status quo at Lobos Afuera, an island some forty miles front Lambayeque, with his steamer Chili, and three sail vessels; that the citizens of Lima generally considered his prospects of success very fair; that, contrary to orders, the Lima undertook to go into Guayaquil on the 27th ult., where Flores was expected, after sunset, and was fired upon five times, and that great preparations had been made for the reception of Flores, and a large number of soldiers were paraded fully armed and equipped when the necessary landings were made from the Lima. None, excepting those who were to remain and those who went ashore for exchange of the mails, were permitted to land. The cause of the rash experiment of running into Guayaquil at night, was the request of the Ecuadorian Ambassador, who had left Lima, and was returning to his Government, and who declared that he would himself take the responsibility of the disobedience of orders.

      The ship Lyons cleared from Valparaiso some days before the Lima, ostensibly for California, and proceeded to Callao with 450 Chilians and cannons, &.c., for Gen. Flores. Those in charge of her expected to receive order from Flores at Callao Before, however, the Lima reached Guayaquil, the Lyons was discovered near by, running into Lobos Afuera. Thus is the delay of Flores at this island explained. The Lyons left Valparaiso under the American flag, without paying a single bill there, and the Government sent a steamer after her, which returned in two days, not having overhauled her.

      Business was improving at Valparaiso. A few days before the steamer sailed, a vessel from Baltimore arrived with 1,000 barrels of flour, which she landed at $8 per barrel, without paying duty. This was in accordance with a regulation of the customs, that when flour is at $8 per barrel or upwards, foreign flour shall be admitted free of duty. This article has been as high as $9, but this cargo, and the arrival of large quantities from the interior, reduced it to $6, with a downward tendency. Crops were all good.

      Some Ecuadorian convicts at the Galapago Islands, having murdered the captain and crew of an American whale ship cruising near there, took possession thereof, and started for Guayaquil, hoping to conciliate the Government by opposing Flores. They took two schooners in his interest, and murdered all on board, some fifty men. They were taken by a Swedish frigate, which had been stationed to prevent the entry of the harbor by vessels unauthorized.

Evening Post

(New York, New York)
April 17, 1852

THREE DAYS LATER FROM CALIFORNIA.
Arrival of the Sierra Nevada.

      The steamship Sierra Nevada, Captain Wilson, arrived yesterday from Aspinwall, (Navy Bay,) and Kingston, Jamaica. She left the former at 8 P.M., on the 6th, and the latter on the morning of the 10th instant.

      She brings news from San Francisco to the 20th ult., which had arrived at Panama by the Tennessee.

      The mails by the Tennessee left Aspinwall on the 7th inst., in the steamer Cherokee, for New York.

      Later from Valparaiso and Gallipagos Islands.

      We have received a month later news from the South Pacific, by the Sierra Nevada, arrived last night.

      It was taken to Panama by the English mail steamer Lima, which left Callao on the 25th ult.

      Seizure of an American Ship. – Murder of Twenty Men. – It appears that the prisoners at the Gallipagos Islands, (which are the Ecuadorian penal settlement,) to the number of about forty-five, seized an American whale ship lying there, called the George Howland, Capt. Cromwell, of New Bedford, and after killing the Governor of the Island, and putting the captain and crew of the vessel on shore, sailed for Tumbez, which is on the line between Peru and Ecuador; but on the way the fell in with a small schooner, which had started from Payta, with a number of men to join Flores – this they took and deliberately cut the throats of twenty-three of them, expecting thereby to make their peace with the government. It so happened that the Swedish frigate was coming along and fell in with and captured them, and brought them into Guayaquil. The frigate claims a heavy salvage on the ship and schooner, as pirates, and they are there under the Swedish colors. The men were delivered up to government and are being tried. It is said the George Howland had considerable oil, and representations upon the subject have been sent home to the United States government.

Newark Daily Advertiser

(Newark, New Jersey)
April 17, 1852

BY TELEGRAPH THIS AFTERNOON.

Four Days Later From California.
Arrival of the Sierra Nevada.

      By the arrival of the Steamer Sierra Nevada, at New York yesterday, from Navy Bay on the 6th via Jamaica, we have San Francisco dates to the 20th ult., and Panama to the 4th inst.

Boston Daily Atlas

(Boston, Massachusetts)
April 17, 1852

Telegraphic Despatches.

ARRIVAL OF THE SIERRA NEVADA
WITH $400,000 IN GOLD.
IMPORTANT FROM CHILI AND CALIFORNIA.

      The steamer Sierra Nevada, Capt. Wilson, from Aspinwall, and Kingston, arrived here at 6 o'clock this evening, with 280 passengers, and $400,000 in gold dust. She left Kingston on the 10th, at which place nothing of moment had transpired.

      Isthmus News. – The new railroad on the Isthmus is spoken of in very high terms.

      Later from Chili – The Winfield Scott brought advices from Valparaiso to the 20th of March. An American whale ship, name not stated, was seized by the convicts at the Gallipagos Islands, and the captain and crew murdered. They then proceeded towards Guayaquil with the intention of opposing Gen. Flores. On their way they fell in with 2 schooners belonging to Flores, and having seized them they murdered all on board in the most brutal manner, including the nephew and son-in-law of General Flores. One one of the vessels they cut the throats of 53 men from ear to ear. The whole of them were afterwards taken prisoners by a Swedish frigate, the convicts placed in irons, and the vessels anchored in the Guayaquil river.

      The expedition of Gen. Flores, it was believed, would prove a total failure, though the greatest excitement still prevailed at Guayaquil, partly in consequence of Swedish frigate having been stationed at the mouth of the river, to prevent vessels entering without proper papers.

Albany Argus

(Albany, New York)
April 19, 1852

From the South Pacific.

News, a month later, has been received from the South Pacific, by the Sierra Nevada.

      It was taken to Panama by the English mail steamer Lima, which left Callao on the 25th ult.

      [Correspondance of the N.Y. Herald]

Steamer Sierra Nevada, April 16.

      It appears that the prisoners at the Galapagos Islands, (which are the Ecuadorian penal settlement) to the number of about forty-five, seized an American shale ship lying there, called the Geo. Howland, Capt. Cromwell, of New Bedford, and after killing the Governor of the Island, and putting the captain and crew of the vessel on shore, sailed for Tumbez, which is on the line between Peru and Ecuador, but on the way they fell in with a small schooner, which had started from Payta, with a number of men to join Flores; this they took and deliberately cut the throats of twenty-three of them, expecting thereby to make their peace with the government. It so happened that the Swedish frigate was coming along and fell in with and captured them, and brought them into Guayaquil. The frigate claims a heavy salvage on the ship and schooner, as pirates, and they are there under the Swedish colors. The men were delivered up to government, and are being tried. It is said the George Howland had considerable oil, and representation upon the subject have been sent home to the United States government.

      If the frigate does not interfere, Flores will undoubtedly capture Guayaquil. If he does not succeed, in all probability Ecuador will declare war against Peru for the assistance she has rendered Flores. Yours, respectfully,

Salem Register

(Salem, Massachusetts)
April 19, 1852

      The new Railroad on the Isthmus is spoken of in very high terms.

      The steamers Winfield Scott, California, Tennessee, New Orleans, and the Constitution were at Panama, bound for San Francisco. Also the clippers Trade Wind and Hornet.

      There were but few passengers on the Isthmus, and the rates of passage were exceedingly low, on account of the great competition.

      The Winfield Scott made the shortest trip on record, having been but 60 days and 6 hours, including stoppages. The following is her time: – From New York to Rio Janeiro, 21 days, 15 hours; Rio Janeiro to Valparaiso, 15 days, 14 hours; Valparaiso to Panama, 11 days, 5 hours. Whole running time 48 days, 10 hours.

      The news from California is to the 20th of March, but very uninteresting. One correspondent at San Francisco writes that there are symptoms of a serious difficulty in Sonora. The French expedition which left San Francisco a short time ago for the professed purpose of making new gold discoveries, was really bent on revolutionizing that country and establishing an independent government, but with no idea of its being ultimately annexed to the United States.

      The Californians are very much annoyed at this movement, and talk of getting up an expedition of 1000 Americans, to take possession of Sonora, and drive out the French. It is well known that the inhabitants of that country are anxious to be independent.

      No further danger was apprehended from the flood, but the papers are filled with disasters already caused by it.

      The Alta California estimates the shipments of specie for the first fortnight in March at $3,000,000.

      An indignation meeting has been held in Sacramento to consider the bill recently passed in the House relating to contracts for labor with Chinese emigrants. The bill is denounced as intended to introduce a system of quasi slavery, and as an outrage on the rights of the American laborer The bill passed the House after a violent opposition, by a vote of 30 to 20. It is thought the bill will not pass the Senate, or if it does that the Governor will veto it.

      The clipper ship Northern Light has been engaged to proceed to Acapulco, after the passengers of the North America.

      The prisoners of the Gallapagos Island, a penal settlement of Ecuador, had seized an American whale ship lying there, called the Geo. Howland, Captain Cromwell, of New Bedford, and after killing the Governor of the Island and putting the Captain and crew on shore, sailed for Tombez. They subsequently fell in with a small schooner of the Flores expedition and cut the throats of 23 of those on board, in hopes of thus making their peace with the Ecuadoran government. They were,subsequently captured by a Swedish brig, and taken into Guayaquil, and are being tried, it is said.

      The George Howland had considerable oil, and representations have been sent home to the United States government that the Swedish brig claims a large salvage.

Sun

(Baltimore, Maryland)
April 19, 1852

LATER FROM SOUTH AMERICA.

      By the arrival of the steamship Lima at Panama, April 1, from Valparaiso, dates from Chili to the 9th March have been received.

      In Chili, the railroad and electric telegraph appear to be the leading topics.

      The greatest excitement prevailed in Guayaquil on the arrival of the mail steamer Lima. A Swedish frigate had been stationed at the mouth of the river to prevent vessels entering without proper papers.

      The prisoners at the Galapagos Islands, (which are the Ecuadorian penal settlement) to the number of about forty-five, seized an American shale ship lying there, called the George Howland, Captain Cromwell, of New Bedford, and, after killing the Governor of the Island, and putting the captain and crew of the vessel on shore, sailed for Tumbez, which is on the line between Peru and Ecuador; but on the way they fell in with a small schooner, which had started from Payta, with a number of men to join Flores. This they took, and deliberately cut the throats of twenty-three of them, including the nephew and son-in-law of Gen. Flores, expecting thereby to make their peace with the government. It so happened that the Swedish frigate was coming along and fell in with and captured them, and brought them into Guayaquil. The frigate claims a heavy salvage on the ship and schooner, as pirates, and they are there under the Swedish colors. The men were delivered up to the government, and are being tried. It is said the George Howland had considerable oil, and representations upon the subject have been sent home to the United States government.

      On passing up the river to Guayaquil, it appears, the British mail steamer was mistaken for that of Flores, and no less than five different shots were fired at her, luckily, however, without effect.

State Gazette

(Trenton, New Jersey)
April 19, 1852

      Dreadful Massacres At Sea. – The Winfield Scott brought advices from Valparaiso to the 20th of March.

      An American whale-ship, nome not stated, was seized by a party of convicts at the Galapagos Islands, and the captain and crew murdered, in the most cruel and cold-blooded manner.

      The convicts then sailed towards Guayaquil, with the intention of opposing Gen. Flores.

      On their way they fell in with two schooners belonging to the expedition of Gen. Flores, and having seized them, murdered all on board in the most ferocious and blood-thirsty manner, including the nephew and son-in-law of Gen. Flores. On board of one of these vessels the convicts cut the throats of twenty-three men.

      The whale-ship was afterwards taken possession of by a Swedish frigate. The convicts were placed in irons, and the vessel anchored in the Guayaquil river.

Alexandria Gazette

(Alexandria, Virginia)
April 20, 1852

      By the arrival of the steamship Lima at Panama, April 1, from Valparaiso, dates from Chili to the 9th March have been received.

      The greatest excitement prevailed in Guayaquil on the arrival of the mail steamer Lima. A Swedish frigate had been stationed at the mouth of the river to prevent vessels entering without proper papers.

      The prisoners at Galapagos Islands, (which are the Ecuadorian penal settlement,) to the number of about forty-five, seized an American whale ship lying there, called the George Howland, Capt. Cromwell, of New Bedford, and, after killing the Governor of the Island, and putting the captain and crew of the vessel on shore, sailed for Tumbez, which is on the line between Peru and Ecuador; but on their way they fell in with a small schooner, which had started from Payta with a number of men to join Flores. This they took, and deliberately cut the throats of twenty-three of them, including the nephew and son-in-law of General Flores, expecting thereby to make their peace with the government. It so happened that the Swedish frigate was coming along an [sic] fell in with and captured them, and brought them in to Guayaquil. The frigate claims a heavy salvage on the ship and schooner, as pirates, and they are there under Swedish colors. The men were delivered up to the government, and are being tried. It is said the George Howland had considerable oil, and representations upon the subject have been sent home to the U.S. Government.

      On passing up the river to Guayaquil it appears, the British mail steamer was mistaken for that of Flores, and no less than five different shots were fired at her, luckily, however, without effect.

Daily National Intelligencer

(Washington, D.C.)
April 20, 1852

FROM SOUTH AMERICA.

      By the steamships Winfield Scott and Lima, arrived at Panama, we have advices from Valparaiso to the 20th of March, nearly a month later than our previous advices. The principal news is relative to the Flores expedition.

      The British mail steamer Lima, while passing up the river Guayaquil, was mistaken for the vessel of Flores, and fired into from the forts.

      We have some further details of outrages by the revolted prisoners at the penal colonies in the Galapagos Islands. A detachment of about forty-five of them had seized the whale ship George Howland, Capt. Cromwell, of New Bedford, and after putting the captain and crew on shore, according to one account, and murdering them according to another, proceeded toward Guayaquil with the intention of opposing Flores, and thus ingratiating the Ecuadorian Government. The party fell in with two schooners belonging to Flores, and having seized them, murdered those on board in a most brutal manner, including the nephew and son-in-law of Gen. Flores. On one of these vessels they cut the throats of twenty-three men. On their voyage they were captured by a Swedish frigate, carried into Guayaquil, and delivered into the hands of the Government.-- N.Y. Commercial Advertiser.

Richmond Enquirer

(Richmond, Virginia)
April 20, 1852

LATER FROM SOUTH AMERICA.

      Seizure of an American Whaleship – Capture of two Schooners in the interest of Flores, and murder of all on Board.

      By the arrival of the steamship Lima at Panama, April 1, from Valparaiso, dates from Chili to the 9th March have been received.

      The greatest excitement prevailed in Guayaquil on the arrival of the mail steamer Lima. A Swedish frigate had been stationed at the mouth of the river to prevent vessels entering without proper papers.

      The prisoners at the Galapagos Islands, (which are the Ecuadorian penal settlement) to the number of about forty-five, seized an American shale ship lying there, called the George Howland, Captain Cromwell, of New Bedford, and, after killing the Governor of the Island, and putting the captain and crew of the vessel on shore, sailed for Tumbez, which is on the line between Peru and Ecuador; but on the way they fell in with a small schooner, which had started from Payta, with a number of men to join Flores. This they took, and deliberately cut the throats of twenty-three of them, including the nephew and son-in-law of Gen. Flores, expecting thereby to make their peace with the government. It so happened that the Swedish frigate was coming along and fell in with and captured them, and brought them into Guayaquil. The frigate claims a heavy salvage on the ship and schooner, as pirates, and they are there under the Swedish colors. The men were delivered up to the government, and are being tried. It is said the George Howland had considerable oil, and representations upon the subject have been sent home to the U. States government.

      On passing up the river to Guayaquil, it appears, the British mail steamer was mistaken for that of Flores, and no less than five different shots were fired at her, luckily, however, without effect.

Boston Daily Atlas

(Boston, Massachusetts)
April 20, 1852

      The whaleship seized by the convicts at the Gallipagos Islands, and the captain and crew murdered, was the George Howland, of New Bedford.

Whalemen's Shipping List

(New Bedford, Massachusetts)
April 20, 1852

FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Seizure of the Whale ship George Howland of this port, at Gallipagos Islands.

      By the arrival at New York on Friday evening of the steamer Sierra Nevada, advices have been received from San Francisco to the 20th of March, four days latest, and from Callao to the 25th.

      The following startling intelligence is published in the New York Herald, in a letter to the editor from a passenger on board the Sierra Nevada.

      The prisoners at Gallipagos Islands, (which are the Ecuadorian penal settlement) to the number of about forty-five, seized an American whale ship lying there, called the George Howland, Capt. Cromwell, of New Bedford, and, after killing the Governor of the Island, and putting the Captain and crew of the vessel on shore, sailed for Tumbez, which is on the line between Peru and Equador; but on the way they fell in with a small schooner, which had started from Payta, with a number of men to join Flores, this they took, and deliberately cut the throats of twenty-three of them, expecting thereby to make their peace with the government. It so happened that a Swedish frigate was coming along and fell in with and captured them, and brought them into Guayaquil. The frigate claims a heavy salvage on the ship and schooner, as pirates, and they are there under Swedish colors. The men were delivered up to the government, and are being tried. It is said the George Howland had considerable oil, and representations upon the subject have been sent home to the U.S. Government.

Pittsfield Sun

(Pittsfield, Massachusetts)
April 22, 1852

From California.

Arrival of the Steamer Sierra Nevada.

      The steamer Sierra Nevada, Capt. Wilson, from Aspinwall and Kingston, arrived at N. York on Friday, with 280 passengers, and $400,000 in gold dust. She left Kingston on the 10th.

      Isthmus News. – The new Railroad on the Isthmus is spoken of in very high terms. The steamers Winfield Scott, California, Tennessee, New Orleans, and the Constitution were at Panama, bound for San Francisco; also the clippers Trade Wind and Hornet. There were but few passengers on the Isthmus and the rates were exceedingly low, on account of the great competition.

      The Winfield Scott made the shortest trip on record, having been but 60 days and 6 hours, including stoppages. The following is her time: – From New York to Rio Janeiro, 21 days, 15 hours; Rio Janeiro to Valparaiso, 15 days, 14 hours; Valparaiso to Panama, 11 days, 5 hours. To Valparaiso, running time 48 days, 10 hours.

      Late and Important from Chili. – The Winfield Scott brought advices from Valparaiso to the 20th March. An American whale ship, nome not stated, was seized by a party of convicts at the Galapagos Islands, and the captain and crew murdered. The convicts then proceeded towards Guayaquil with the intention of opposing Gen. Flores. On their way they fell in with two schooners belonging to Flores, and having seized them murdered all on board in the most brutal manner, including the nephew and son-in-law of Gen. Flores.

      On one of one of these vessels they cut the throats of 53 men from ear to ear. The whale-ship was afterwards taken possession of by a Swedish frigate, the convicts put in irons, and the vessel anchored in the Guayaquil river. The expedition of Gen. Flores, it was believed, would prove a total failure, though the greatest excitement still prevailed at Guayaquil, partly in consequence of a Swedish frigate having been stationed at the mouth of the river to prevent vessels entering without proper papers.

      An electric telegraph and railroad were the leading topics of discussion in Chili.

Litchfield Republican

(Litchfield, Connecticut)
April 22, 1852

From South America.

      Considerable interest was manifested in Chili, on the subject of the construction of a Railroad and Electric Telegraph.

      The convicts from Ecuador who were stationed at the Galapagos Islands, recently broke loose and seized an American whale ship, (the name of which we have not heard,) and murdered the captain and all the crew. They then steered towards Guayaquil, with the avowed intention of warring against Gen. Flores, in the hopes of obtaining pardon from the Government. They met two schooners belonging to Flores which they seized; and murdered the crew and passengers in a most brutal manner, by cutting their throats from ear to ear. Twenty-three men were thus barbarously put to death on board of one of the vessels. Among the murdered passengers were a nephew and son-in-law of Gen. Flores.

      The nefarious wretches were at length arrested in their bloody career by a Swedish frigate; the captain of which immediately put the convicts in iron; and their fate is inevitable. No doubt, they will be executed for their horrid crimes.

Salem Observer

(Salem, Massachusetts)
April 24, 1852

      Officers and Crew of a New Bedford Whaler Murdered. The Sierra Nevada, arrived at New York on Friday last, from the Isthmus, brings intelligence of a sad state of things at the penal settlement of Ecuador, on the Island of Gallipagos. A rising, similar to the one in the Chilian penal colony in the Straits of Magellan, it appears has taken place attended with more inhuman butchery. The prisoners seized the New Bedford whaler Geo. Holland [sic.], Capt. Cromwell, and sailed for Tombez. One telegraph correspondent says the Captain and crew were murdered; another correspondent says they were placed on shore, and the convicts having murdered the Governor of the island, set sail, and were captured by a Swedish vessel and taken to Guayaquil, where they were being tried.

      The insurgents, after taking possession of the George Howland, proceeded towards Guayaquil with the intention of opposing Flores, and gaining the pardon of their Government for doing so. The party fell in with two schooners belonging to Flores, and having seized them, murdering those on board in the most brutal manner, including the nephew and son in law of Gen. Flores. On one of the vessels they cut the throats of twenty-three men from ear to ear.

      The whale ship was afterwards taken possession of by the Swedish frigate, and the convicts on board placed in irons. At last accounts the vessel was at anchor in the Guayaquil river, along side the Swedish frigate.

Weekly Herald

(New York, New York)
April 24, 1852

THE EVENTS OF THE WEEK.

      By the arrival of the Sierra Nevada, one of the steamers of an independent line by the Panama route, we have three days' later intelligence from California.

      Additionally to the California news, by the Sierra Nevada, we have received very late advices from Jamaica, Galapagos Islands, Peru, Ecuador, and New Granada.

      The accounts from Galapagos Islands inform us of the seizure of the American whale ship George Howland, by the Ecuadorean convicts. After setting the officers and crew on shore, and murdering the Governor of the islands, the villains set sail for Tumbez. On the way, they captured a small schooner, filled with men, who were going to join the Flores expedition. They cut the throats of twenty-three of these expeditionists, in hope of amaking atonement to the government for their former misdeeds. The murderers were eventually captured and carried to Guayaquil.

      According to the advices from Ecuador, the invading force under Flores had not landed, but was hovering around the coast. It was an extensive affair of the kind, and will probably succeed, unless the Swedish frigate, stationed at Guayaquil, aids the Ecuadorean government. The force at that point is too weak to cope with that of Flores; and judging from the unsuccessful effort to hit the English steamer Lima, he is safe from the cannon balls of the government forts. It is expected that if Flores fails, there will be a war between Peru and Ecuador, in consequence of the assistance which the former afforded the invaders.

Part 0  George Howland  Whalesite  Part 2