Chapter XXII.
REMARKABLE HISTORY OF A GLASGOW STEAMER.
The Ferret s.s. chartered by Henderson & Co.—Sails for the Mediterranean and disappears.—Benton s.s. sails with a cargo of coffee from Santos, and also disappears.—Seizure of India s.s. at Melbourne.—Proved to be missing steamer Ferret, alias Benton.
Decidedly the most dramatic incident ever recorded in the annals of steam navigation was the theft of the steamer Ferret and the piratical seizure and sale of her cargo of coffee.
The Ferret was a screw steamer measuring 170 feet 9 inches in length, 23 feet 2 inches beam, and 12 feet 7 inches depth; builders’ measurement 439 tons, with a probable carrying capacity of 400 tons deadweight cargo, in addition to coal in bunkers. She had compound engines of 90 h.p. nominal, and her reputed speed was 12 knots per hour. She was built on the Clyde in 1871, by the well-known firm of J. & G. Thomson, for Messrs. G. & J. Burns, of Glasgow, from whom the Highland Railway Co. purchased her for their mail and passenger service, and she held a Board of Trade certificate for 200 passengers.
The conspirators who succeeded in stealing this vessel, laid their plans with great care and attention to details, and carried them out with marvellous audacity. One of them took an office in Gracechurch Street, London, and obtained a supply of printed stationery, describing himself as “Henderson & Co., Ship Brokers, &c.” He also opened an account with the ... Bank, in the name of “Smith,” taking care until his plans were perfected to keep a respectable balance to his credit.
Early in October, 1880, the plot had ripened, and one of the gang, representing himself to be “Mr. Walker, purser of the Ferret s.s.,” called at the office of Douglas & Co., Union Street, a leading ship-chandler’s firm in Glasgow, and ordered a large quantity of expensive ship-stores. The stores were for the account of Mr. Smith, who was referred to as a relative of Mr. W. H. Smith, late First Lord of the Admiralty.
Naturally references were required and were freely given. Mr. Smith had chartered from the Highland Railway Co. the steamer Ferret for a six months’ cruise in the Mediterranean, his wife having been ordered by her doctor to take a long sea voyage. The Ferret was then in J. & G. Thomson’s yard, being overhauled preparatory to the cruise. Both of these firms could be referred to, as well as Mr. Smith’s bankers, and Messrs. Henderson & Co., Ship Brokers, Gracechurch Street, London. The bankers were written to, and replied that Mr. Smith had an account with their bank. Henderson & Co. were also applied to, and of course gave a very favourable account of Smith.
The merchants being satisfied with the result of their enquiries, supplied the stores, which included an excellent selection of first-class wines specially brought from London. The account, which amounted to £1,490, was presented to Walker, who gave a bill at three months endorsed by Smith. It is to be presumed that the first-half month’s charter was paid as customary in cash in advance, because the conspirators having got possession of the Ferret were in no violent hurry to get her out of British waters.
About the 20th October, William Griffin joined the steamer at Greenock as chief engineer. Although Griffin was not placed on trial, yet it is to be noted that he had a prior acquaintance with Walker, who had introduced him to Smith. It is also undeniable that without the assistance of Griffin and the ship’s carpenter, the alterations which were made in the steamer could not have been effected.
From Greenock, the Ferret sailed in charge of a crew of “runners” to Cardiff, Robert Wright, alias Carlyon (a confederate) being master, and Walker, alias Wallace, acting as purser. The steamer arrived at Cardiff on the 22nd October and remained there for three days, taking in a cargo of coals for ship’s use. The coals, of course, being paid for by valueless bills on London. At Cardiff the “runners” were discharged and a fresh crew, strangers to the Ferret, were shipped. Smith (otherwise Henderson) also embarked at Cardiff, accompanied by “Mrs. Smith.”
The Ferret sailed from Cardiff on the 25th October and put into Milford Haven, probably from stress of weather, where she remained for about a week. She left Milford on the 1st November, ostensibly for Marseilles. In pursuance of this report, she passed through the Straits of Gibraltar on the morning of the 11th of the same month, and showing her number, requested to be reported.
Having steamed out of sight of the signalling station, the crew were set to work to change the colour of the funnel from white to black, and of the boats (with the exception of two) from blue to white, and at night, with her lights screened, the Ferret returned westwards through the straits. While passing through, the two boats that had not been altered, some empty casks, several life-belts, and other articles, all having the steamer’s name painted on them, were thrown overboard, for the purpose of making it appear that the vessel had foundered. So evident did this seem that as a matter of fact the underwriters paid the Highland Railway Co. their claim for the total loss of the steamer.
That same night all the crew were sent aft to the saloon, where Smith made a speech to them, in which he stated that he was a political refugee from the United States; that he had purchased the Ferret to use partly as a yacht, and partly for trading; that after he had traded for some time he would sell the boat, and make it worth their while to keep his secret; but on the other hand, if any of them disclosed anything they saw or heard on board, he would blow their brains out. The crew, when arrested, alleged that it was the fear of this threat which prevented them giving information, when in port, of what they knew to be suspicious actions.
Ferret s.s.
Avoiding the Canary Islands, presumably as being too much frequented by British shipping, the conspirators kept away to the southward until they reached St. Vincent, C.V. Entering the harbour, they anchored there for several days, during which they took in fresh water, and a supply of pigs, poultry, fruit and vegetables, paying for them in their usual manner by means of worthless bills.
The “Times” (23rd June, 1881) Sydney correspondent states that after leaving St. Vincent the vessel’s name was altered to the Benton. But this seems most improbable, as it would be apparent that the Ferret did not founder in the Mediterranean, and further it would have left a clue by which she could easily have been traced. The truth probably is, that the alteration was made immediately she got clear of the Straits of Gibraltar. Be this as it may, the Benton arrived at Santos on the 26th December.
At Santos, Smith went on shore and lost no time in opening negotiations with the local shipping agents, to whom he stated that the Benton was from Cape Town in ballast, bound for England. The negotiations resulted in the shipment of 3,992 bags of coffee, consigned to various consignees at Marseilles. Having obtained this cargo, the Benton sailed from Santos on the 11th January, 1881, but instead of proceeding to Marseilles she steamed direct to Cape Town.
While the Benton was steaming across the South Atlantic, the Glasgow holders of the bill for £1,490 received some information which made them uneasy, and on presentation of the bill when due, it was dishonoured. The account was closed, the balance had been withdrawn, and the acceptor’s whereabouts were unknown. The holders then applied to Henderson and Co., but the letter was returned—addressees “gone, no address.” They then wrote to the Highland Railway Co., and received a reply from the Secretary to the effect that the Highland Railway Co. had already done all in their power to trace the Ferret, in their own interests, having received no charter money from the charterers since the vessel sailed from the Clyde. They had been in communication with Lloyd’s and the Board of Trade, and through British Consuls and Lloyd’s agents, enquiries had been made all over the world. About ten days before the receipt of the merchants’ letter the Highland Railway Co. had heard that the Ferret had arrived at Malta, but on cabling there had received a reply denying the report. They had cabled a second time, ordering the vessel to be seized at Malta in the event of her putting in there.
Meanwhile the Benton was nearing Cape Town, laden with coffee shipped at Santos. During the voyage further changes had been effected in the appearance of the vessel, and the name India was substituted for Benton. The original name (Ferret) had previously been filed off the ship’s bell, and now, as a further precaution the ship’s number on the main hatch combings was altered to 77,942. The India put into Cape Town on the 29th January, and at once began to discharge her cargo.
The conspirators had provided themselves with a printing press, and had all necessaries on board, as well as Revenue Stamps of various nations, by which they were able to manufacture the vouchers and documents necessary to the success of their frauds. At Cape Town, Smith produced an invoice with a printed heading, purporting to be an invoice for 3,992 bags coffee sold by coffee planters at La Guayra (a small port in Venezuela) to C. S. Henderson & Co., and with it a receipt for the amount duly stamped. He succeeded in selling the cargo, and realised by the sale of it about £11,000. He had to accept in part payment bills to the extent of £8,000, drawn on the Standard Bank, Clement’s Lane, London, payable nine months after date. It is satisfactory to know that the frauds were discovered before the bills matured, and payment of them was stopped. After the discharge of the cargo, Smith tried to sell the steamer, but not succeeding in his attempt, he shipped a quantity of coal, and sailed on the 14th February for the Mauritius. The conspirators arrived at Mauritius on the 1st March, but did not succeed in getting any plunder there, and so they “cleared out for Guam.”
The next port they entered was Port Albany in Western Australia, from whence they steamed direct to Melbourne. Here Wright and Walker offered the steamer for sale, but received no offers. While in Melbourne, several circumstances made the Customs officers and the Harbour Police suspect that there was something wrong about the vessel. It was observed that the fires were always banked so that steam could be got up at the shortest notice. Captain Wright never left the steamer, and none of the crew (except Walker, the purser) were ever allowed “shore leave.” The Customs authorities instructed one of their officers to make a special investigation of the matter, and he reported that there was no steamer of the tonnage given registered at Lloyd’s in the name of India, but that the particulars of tonnage and dimensions corresponded with the register of the missing steamer Ferret.
The Arrest.
Noting all these suspicious circumstances the Customs authorities determined on prompt action. Requisitioning two crews of the Water Police, as it was feared there might be violent opposition on the part of the steamer’s crew, the Commissioner of Customs, on the 27th April, seized the vessel. Fortunately their anticipations as to resistance were not realised, the crew surrendering without opposition. Although the authorities had been extremely cautious in their enquiries, it is evident that the conspirators became aware of what was being done, for when the steamer was seized, Smith, “Mrs. Smith,” and Captain Wright had fled. The previous day Smith and Mrs. Smith removed from their cabin a number of articles, and amongst them two heavy iron-bound boxes which were never traced. Smith succeeded in getting away from Melbourne to a distant township, but was arrested. Mrs. Smith, who had disappeared for a time, when she heard of his arrest reappeared and visited him in prison. The object of her visit may be surmised from the fact that shortly after her visit Smith tried to escape by filing through one of the bars of his prison window.
Captain Wright had found a retreat in a Melbourne sailors’ lodging-house, but having got drunk and quarrelled with his landlady, he was thrown out, and arrested for being drunk and disorderly. When the charge was being booked at the police station, he was recognised as the missing master of the steamer, for whom the police were searching.
Confirmation of the suspicions which induced the Commissioner of Customs to seize the steamer was speedily obtained. Traces of fraud were quickly discovered on the ship’s hull and appointments, and in the ship’s books and papers—some of the latter being found in very unusual places of deposit. Between the leaves of the log-book a seaman’s “advance note” was found with the name of the Ferret on it. There was also found a MSS. cypher code, by means of which communication might be made between those in the vessel and others on shore. It also serves to show the unscrupulous character of the criminals and the extreme length to which they were prepared to go. One or two quotations will illustrate the truth of this assertion:—
“Accept charter referred to and lose vessel before you arrive in port. Don’t fail.”
“Get out of port the best way you can, but sink the ship, before you allow them to stop her.”
“Destroy all papers, &c., and sink ship if possible, or burn her, and get away. Make best of your way over here.”
“Things going wrong. Mate not to be trusted; shall get rid of him.”
“Things going wrong with some of the crew; must get rid of them.”
“Things going wrong with the whole of the crew; must get rid of them.”
“Lost vessel; landed here to day; all hands forward lost.”
“Game is all up; all discovered; destroy or hide everything, and make yourself scarce; communicate with me through the arranged channel.”
Among the papers seized was a card of a Dr. Bonefin. Now a swindler of this name—not a common one—shortly before the arrival of the Ferret, was convicted for obtaining goods under false pretences from a number of Melbourne jewellers, and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment in Pentridge Gaol. In the cypher code referred to Melbourne figures as 51, so that it is extremely probable that Bonefin was one of the conspirators on shore.
A Cabinet Meeting of the Victorian Government was held on the 9th May, and on the following morning the opinion of the Attorney-General was published as follows:—
“The Government of Victoria seized the Ferret, which entered this port (Melbourne) as the India, in the interests of the rightful owners, domiciled apparently in Great Britain. At the present time no one in Victoria is in a position to show this Government such a title to the Ferret as would clear the Government from possible liability. It appears to me that the Hon. the Commissioner of Trade and Customs should hold the Ferret till proper papers are produced in Melbourne by a legally authorised agent of the actual owners, whose title should be clearly proved by the needful papers from England. This being done, and delivery charges paid, the ship should be delivered. If it is deemed desirable to expedite delivery of the ship, this Government is entitled to require that the Board of Trade of London should give a certificate as to the owners. Such certificate, along with an indemnity to pay all costs, and an indemnity by the owners, should be deposited with the Agent-General for Victoria, London, who should telegraph any instructions the owners may wish to give as to the way they desire the ship to be dealt with, and this Government should then act accordingly. At the same time it would be well to learn whether the Imperial Government wished to take proceedings against any of the offenders, and if so, what course it intended to take. All necessary documents and evidence should be transmitted without delay. The master, also the person who represents himself as the owner, and another person are charged here with forging the register of the ship, that offence having been committed with a view to a fraudulent sale.”
Eventually the three criminals arrested, viz.:—Smith (alias Henderson, alias Benard), Wright (alias Carlyon) and Walker (alias Wallace), were indicted on three counts:—
1st. Conspiracy to defraud the owners of the Ferret, the Highland Railway Co.
2nd. Conspiracy to defraud intending purchasers of the Ferret in Melbourne; and
3rd. Conspiracy to deceive the Commissioner of Trade and Customs, by entering the vessel in a false name, and to obtain a certificate of sale under which the vessel could have been sold in that port.
They were all acquitted on the first count, but convicted on the second and third. Smith and Walker were each sentenced to seven years’ penal servitude, and Wright to three and a half years. This result is most remarkable. No mention is made of the frauds perpetrated at Glasgow, Cardiff and St. Vincent, C.V.; nor of the steps taken (if any) to secure the confederates on shore.
As for the unfortunate crew, who had received no wages, they obtained a temporary refuge in the Melbourne Sailors’ Home. The after history of the Ferret is briefly told. She was purchased in 1885 by the Adelaide Steamship Company, Currie Street, Adelaide, South Australia, and is at the present date employed by that company in the Australian coasting service.