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The Prima Donna - The following letter was received by this day's post:- Sirs, A brig, belonging to Bally, has just arrived here from that port, and brings intelligence of the arrival at Bally of the long-boat of the Prima Donna, with fourteen of her crew, all Manila men. They state that the ship had sunk to the southward of Java ; but when questioned respecting Captain Jones and officers, their accounts differ so much, that there is every reason to believe that they have killed Captain Jones and officers, and sunk the vessel They were examined separately, and all their accounts differ ; some say the captain left two days before them, others one, and that they waited until the vessel sunk, and the long-boat floated off deck ; others say that they hoisted her out ; some say that they were fourteen days from Lombock ; others only five. The captain of the brig, who was at the examination, left Lombock on the 17th Sept., in company with the Prima Donna, one bound for Bally, the other for Hobart Town. Now the long-boat arrived at Bally on the 14th September, just six days out. In the boat were fire-arms, European cloths, some pieces of China silk handkerchiefs, and the crew had some silver money. From the account given me by the captain of the Bally brig, I have not the least doubt of the fate of Captain Jones and officers; and knowing that the Prima Donna came to your house last voyage, I thought it likely that you may be interested this time also. She had called at Lombock for water and rice, from China, bound to Hobart Town. I remain, sirs, your most obedient servant. SG&SGTL 19 Dec 1846 ^ back to top ^ |