The Australian

12 April 1826

PRISON ESCAPEES - PIRATES

On the night of Saturday last a very daring effort and one which had very nearly proved successful was made by some prisoners, to escape from the settlement at Newcastle. A schooner called the Gurnett belonging to Mr. Street of Sydney was laying off Nobby's Island at anchor during part of the Saturday. It was the master's intention to remain by the government moorings during that night, and to make sail next morning for Sydney. Between eleven and twelve in the night time a boat was discovered pulling up towards the schooner. As she approached, the watch on board the schooner hailed her; in answer to their enquiries the boats' crew replied that they were bringing them a pilot, who was anxious to get onboard before the ebb tide should begin to make; this, in some measure served to lull the master's suspicions, and the stranger was allowed to come alongside. Ten men, armed with muskets, immediately got on deck; they then made no secret of an intention to capture the vessel, and one of the party , who appeared to hold some influence over the rest, was heard to say that they were determined on sacrificing their lives rather than attempt a return to the settlement. They forced the crew down into the fore hold, and slipping the vessel from her moorings silently dropped out to sea. Every practicable effort was made to gain an offing. Every stitch of canvas was spread to catch the breeze; but, after some hours, the wind, which all along was rather scanty, subsided into a calm, and left the pirates but little prospect of effecting their escape. In spite of all their efforts the schooner drifted gradually with the flood tide towards shore; and, as at break of day, which was not very far distant, their situation would be disclosed to those on shore, it was deemed most prudent to abandon the vessel. the master and crew were now released, and the unsuccessful runaways took to their boat, after importuning the former not, if possible to reveal the circumstance of the vessel's capture. In their haste to get away, some rum and a musket were left behind. One of those men appeared to have been a mariner, he was provided with a quadrant and other nautical instruments. All of them seemed in despair at their unlooked for failure. They did not use the crew of the schooner particularly ill. Shortly after the pirates deserting her, she succeeded in regaining the harbour of Newcastle.