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.