LONDON, April 24—The American clipper-ship Sovereign of the Seas, Warner, of New York, from Melbourne, reports that a serious affray occurred on board during the passage from Melbourne, arising from the insubordination of some of the crew, who are at present confined on board in irons.

On the 17th March, the ship on the Equator, long. 32, a quarrel took place between two of the steerage passengers, of whom there were seventy-six on board, and one of the crew. The mate interfered, and ordered the seaman on deck, but he refused, and became abusive, when he was put into irons by direction of the captain. After the lapse of about fifteen or twenty minutes, all the crew mustered aft, and demanded of the captain the immediate release of the man, an Englishman, or they said they would take the ship from him, amid loud murmurings and threats. Previously, it should be mentioned, reports had reached the captain of a contemplated attack to seize the ship.